Plumas County Public Works

FOTHL Response to Plumas County's Planning - High Lakes Inventory Application Navigating the High Lakes OHV area has been an area of concern to recreationalist, the National Forest Service, Search and Rescue, and the like. Over the years there have been many maps of the area. For the following reasons FOTHL objects to the Planning – High Lakes Inventory Application: 1. Friends of the High Lakes (FOTHL) has worked with the National Forest Service and obtained GIS shape files that can, and have already been, converted to geo referenced pdf’s, kmz, gdb, tiff, jpeg, etc.. 2. Question # 2, Planning Project: A. Planning Project (page 1): 1) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect special-status species habitats. 2) Application does not specify how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify cultural resources. The High Lakes area is rich with cultural resources that are NOT mapped to help preserve them at the request of the National Forest Service. 3) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect soil conditions. 4) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect water quality. 5) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify effects of OHV on adjacent lands. 6) Mapping trails will not show traffic patterns. As of today ALL existing trails in the High Lakes area are open and mapped thus no additional mapping should be required. B. Planning Project (page 2): Will Plumas County Public Works have a biologist or archeologist with them during the inventory of trails to help them identify potential problems? They also state that they will be looking at soil conditions and water quality but do not list a geologist or hydrologist in the cost estimate? Lastly, Plumas County Public Works state that they will be looking at trails that cross through private lands. There is no mention of obtaining a right of entry on these lands. One of the routes (611 near Lotts Lake) that crosses private land has been rerouted to stay completely within the National Forest boundary and has been mapped with GPS by FOTHL. Plans to publish the reroute is has been a topic of discussion between FOTHL and LNF. 3. Question # 3, Motorized Access: It is unclear how mapping trails, which are already mapped, will lead to camping, hiking, fishing, hunting birding or rock climbing opportunities. 4. Question # 4, Public Input: The majority of OHV users in the High Lakes are from Chico and Paradise and Magalia area. The Plumas County Coordinating Council did not advertise or contact local OHV groups in this area or advertise in local newspaper about the March 3 meeting regarding the proposed grant application. The project was developed with NO input from FOTHL. 5. Question # 5, Stake Holder Input: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to participate as a Stakeholder as listed in application. 6. Question # 6, Utilization of Partnership: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to join in a Partnership. 7. Question # 7, Sustain OHV Opportunity: 1) Mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will not develop management plans for existing OHV opportunities. 2) The system of designated routes already exists and have already been mapped. 8. There are planned reroutes by LNF in the area and any GPS work would be futile. 9. Existing maps of the High Lakes area can be found at: A. http://www.friendsofthehighlakes.com/maps.shtml . B. With Internet Explorer downloading Jonesville, Belden, Kimshew Point and Storrie maps at https://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_50_2&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=0000000015)/.do 10. Cost Estimate, Total for Staff, Item # 2 Contracts: There is $40,000 for NEPA “review by Plumas National Forest on the USFS route 6M40 Rock Creek/Jackass Creek Trail.” The application does not clarify if this is to review existing NEPA document or one that is to be created? If it is for one that is to be created who is creating it? This application appears to be for mapping NOT creating a NEPA document? It is unclear what the $40,000 will pay for. A NEPA document developed before the scope of work has been defined would be useless. FOTHL would like to work with Plumas County Public Works and supply existing GIS shape files of existing trails, which are already mapped. Funding of this grant would consume OHV funds to produce a product that already exists. Best regards, Louis Johnson Chairman FOTHL – 3/16/16


Navigating the High Lakes OHV area has been an area of concern to recreationalist, the National Forest Service, Search and Rescue, and the like. Over the years there have been many maps of the area. For the following reasons I object to the Planning – High Lakes Inventory Application: 1. Friends of the High Lakes (FOTHL) has worked with the National Forest Service and obtained GIS shape files that can, and have already been, converted to geo referenced pdf’s, kmz, gdb, tiff, jpeg, etc.. 2. Question # 2, Planning Project: A. Planning Project (page 1): 1) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect special-status species habitats. 2) Application does not specify how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify cultural resources. The High Lakes area is rich with cultural resources that are NOT mapped to help preserve them at the request of the National Forest Service. 3) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect soil conditions. 4) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect water quality. 5) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify effects of OHV on adjacent lands. 6) Mapping trails will not show traffic patterns. As of today ALL existing trails in the High Lakes area are open and mapped thus no additional mapping should be required. B. Planning Project (page 2): Will Plumas County Public Works have a biologist or archeologist with them during the inventory of trails to help them identify potential problems? They also state that they will be looking at soil conditions and water quality but do not list a geologist or hydrologist in the cost estimate? Lastly, Plumas County Public Works state that they will be looking at trails that cross through private lands. There is no mention of obtaining a right of entry on these lands. One of the routes (611 near Lotts Lake) that crosses private land has been rerouted to stay completely within the National Forest boundary and has been mapped with GPS by FOTHL. Plans to publish the reroute is has been a topic of discussion between FOTHL and LNF. 3. Question # 3, Motorized Access: It is unclear how mapping trails, which are already mapped, will lead to camping, hiking, fishing, hunting birding or rock climbing opportunities. 4. Question # 4, Public Input: The majority of OHV users in the High Lakes are from Chico and Paradise and Magalia area. The Plumas County Coordinating Council did not advertise or contact local OHV groups in this area or advertise in local newspaper about the March 3 meeting regarding the proposed grant application. The project was developed with NO input from FOTHL. 5. Question # 5, Stake Holder Input: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to participate as a Stakeholder as listed in application. 6. Question # 6, Utilization of Partnership: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to join in a Partnership. 7. Question # 7, Sustain OHV Opportunity: 1) Mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will not develop management plans for existing OHV opportunities. 2) The system of designated routes already exists and have already been mapped. 8. There are planned reroutes by LNF in the area and any GPS work would be futile. 9. Existing maps of the High Lakes area can be found at: A. http://www.friendsofthehighlakes.com/maps.shtml . B. With Internet Explorer downloading Jonesville, Belden, Kimshew Point and Storrie maps at https://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_50_2&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=0000000015)/.do 10. Cost Estimate, Total for Staff, Item # 2 Contracts: There is $40,000 for NEPA “review by Plumas National Forest on the USFS route 6M40 Rock Creek/Jackass Creek Trail.” The application does not clarify if this is to review existing NEPA document or one that is to be created? If it is for one that is to be created who is creating it? This application appears to be for mapping not creating a NEPA document? It is unclear what the $40,000 will pay for. A NEPA document developed before the scope of work has been defined would be useless. FOTHL would like to work with Plumas County Public Works and supply existing GIS shape files of existing trails, which are already mapped. Funding of this grant would consume OHV funds to produce a product that already exists. Yours truly, Daryl Vercruyssen – 3/16/16


Navigating the High Lakes OHV area has been an area of concern to recreationalist, the National Forest Service, Search and Rescue, and the like. Over the years there have been many maps of the area. For the following reasons I object to the Planning – High Lakes Inventory Application: 1. Friends of the High Lakes (FOTHL) has worked with the National Forest Service and obtained GIS shape files that can, and have already been, converted to geo referenced pdf’s, kmz, gdb, tiff, jpeg, etc.. 2. Question # 2, Planning Project: A. Planning Project (page 1): 1) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect special-status species habitats. 2) Application does not specify how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify cultural resources. The High Lakes area is rich with cultural resources that are NOT mapped to help preserve them at the request of the National Forest Service. 3) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect soil conditions. 4) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will help protect water quality. 5) It is unclear how mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will identify effects of OHV on adjacent lands. 6) Mapping trails will not show traffic patterns. As of today ALL existing trails in the High Lakes area are open and mapped thus no additional mapping should be required. B. Planning Project (page 2): Will Plumas County Public Works have a biologist or archeologist with them during the inventory of trails to help them identify potential problems? They also state that they will be looking at soil conditions and water quality but do not list a geologist or hydrologist in the cost estimate? Lastly, Plumas County Public Works state that they will be looking at trails that cross through private lands. There is no mention of obtaining a right of entry on these lands. One of the routes (611 near Lotts Lake) that crosses private land has been rerouted to stay completely within the National Forest boundary and has been mapped with GPS by FOTHL. Plans to publish the reroute is has been a topic of discussion between FOTHL and LNF. 3. Question # 3, Motorized Access: It is unclear how mapping trails, which are already mapped, will lead to camping, hiking, fishing, hunting birding or rock climbing opportunities. 4. Question # 4, Public Input: The majority of OHV users in the High Lakes are from Chico and Paradise and Magalia area. The Plumas County Coordinating Council did not advertise or contact local OHV groups in this area or advertise in local newspaper about the March 3 meeting regarding the proposed grant application. The project was developed with NO input from FOTHL. 5. Question # 5, Stake Holder Input: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to participate as a Stakeholder as listed in application. 6. Question # 6, Utilization of Partnership: There has been NO contact between Plumas County Public Works to confirm if FOTHL is willing to join in a Partnership. 7. Question # 7, Sustain OHV Opportunity: 1) Mapping existing trails, which are already mapped, will not develop management plans for existing OHV opportunities. 2) The system of designated routes already exists and have already been mapped. 8. There are planned reroutes by LNF in the area and any GPS work would be futile. 9. Existing maps of the High Lakes area can be found at: A. http://www.friendsofthehighlakes.com/maps.shtml . B. With Internet Explorer downloading Jonesville, Belden, Kimshew Point and Storrie maps at https://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_50_2&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&carea=0000000015)/.do 10. Cost Estimate, Total for Staff, Item # 2 Contracts: There is $40,000 for NEPA “review by Plumas National Forest on the USFS route 6M40 Rock Creek/Jackass Creek Trail.” The application does not clarify if this is to review existing NEPA document or one that is to be created? If it is for one that is to be created who is creating it? This application appears to be for mapping not creating a NEPA document? It is unclear what the $40,000 will pay for. A NEPA document developed before the scope of work has been defined would be useless. FOTHL would like to work with Plumas County Public Works and supply existing GIS shape files of existing trails, which are already mapped. Funding of this grant would consume OHV funds to produce a product that already exists. Yours truly, Traci J. Brenneman – 3/17/16


Sierra Access Coalition supports this grant for education and community outreach. Our volunteers have worked with Plumas County in the past by helping at information booths at various events. We will continue to work as volunteers at these booths, and recommend this grant to be funded. Sierra Access Coalition – 4/4/16


Sierra Access Coalition supports this project for trail inventory in the High Lakes area. We understand this project has been somewhat controversial, mostly because some mapping in the High Lakes area has already been done by volunteers. But we believe it is also necessary for the County to inventory and map the area, particularly for Search and Rescue efforts which use different criteria than the general public. We support this project because it benefits public safety. Sierra Access Coalition – 4/4/16


Sierra Access Coalition supports this project for maintenance of County roads that are open to OHVs. Many of these roads are connectors to other OHV roads and trails on the Plumas NF, so it is important to keep them maintained for OHV use. Sierra Access Coalition – 4/4/16


Sierra Access Coalition supports this project for maintenance of County roads that are open to OHVs. Many of these roads are connectors to other OHV roads and trails on the Plumas NF, so it is important to keep them maintained for OHV use. Sierra Access Coalition – 4/4/16


Attached are comments on the OHV Grant application G15-03-84-G01 from Plumas County. Corky Lazzarino, Sierra Access Coalition – 4/4/16