Stonyford Fire Getting Worse - 3pm Update

3PM Photo of Fire Approaching Gilmore

According to reports from HQ’s Jeff Applegate and our FS contacts, the Mill Fire on the Grindstone Ranger District has gotten much worse.   According to our man on the ground, things are intensifying up there.  All of the main ridge-line trails and their off-shoots are being impacted. 

So far the whole south-end front country is being destroyed.  The ridges being gobbled up by fire are Trough, Grove, Salt, Hornet’s Nest, Gilmore and everything connecting them together, which amounts to all the front country riding. 

In addition, Letts ridge and a lot of Potato Hill are wiped out.    The fire is currently dropping down towards the area just south of Stonyford and is advancing on the Harvey (Taz Harvey Family) Ranch, Ray’s Ranch (Phil Ray, owner of Modesto Kaw),  and East Park Estates (the loop).  Also, several of my friends from the conservation community have property up there.

The 3 p.m. photo above is taken from Applegate’s front yard.  Notice Gilmore Peak in the path of the advancing fire.  There is a community meeting briefing scheduled for 1900 tonight in Stonyford.

Let’s keep everybody in our thoughts and prayers!

STONYFORD UPDATE - County Closes Correctional Facility, Land Exchange in Limbo

For the last several years, HQ has updated riders on the potential for the Fouts Springs Youth Correctional Facility to be deeded over to Solano County. Recently, Solano County closed the facility due to it being fiscally unsustainable.


Article on Closure of Fouts Springs Correctional Facility
http://www.colusa-sun-herald.com/articles/county-6794-solano-fouts.html

As you know, BRC had been opposing the land exchange because of concerns it had that the county would sell the property (they had operated the camp under a FS special use permit) to the highest bidder with said use being a conflicting use (i.e. Robert Redford’s Environmental Activist Training Center or new Sierra Club Conference Center, etc.). Those conflicting uses over time would require the FS to close the area to OHV recreation.

History of Land Exchange Proposal and BRC Letters
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/04/hearing-today-on-land-exchange-bill-at.html

HQ does not celebrate the loss of those rural jobs when the facility closed. However, it believes that if the Forest Service turns that facility into a remote fire-training center… that many of those who lost jobs could be employed at the new camp.

The facility could also be used as a training center for trail crews such as the Student Conservation Association.

Be assured that BRC and HQ will stay on this issue as preserving the high quality OHV program on the Mendocino is a very high priority.

Stonyford/Fouts Springs Youth Correctional Facility in Omnibus Bill - Poll Included

Correctional Facility in Middle of Family Camping Area

HQ wanted to alert riders about S. 1571 (Deafy Glady/Fouts Springs Boys Ranch Land Exchange Bill) being in the current version of the Omnibus Lands Bill for 2010. It is found in Title XXXII – Land Conveyences and Exchanges


Here is history, letters, photo of the S. 1571 Issue
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/04/hearing-today-on-land-exchange-bill-at.html

The General on behalf of BRC has opposed this bill because it would transfer ownership of the 80-acre Fouts Youth Correctional Facility from the Forest Service to Solano County. While that may not seem like such a big deal, it could be devastating to the OHV program there because if the County decides to sell it (it has never been profitable) to an anti-OHV purchaser like Robert Redford… then OHV would be considered a non-compatible use and the area would be eventually closed. Remember that ALL land use decisions are political and an owner like Redford of Jane Fonda – with both financial and political power - would spell the end of OHV use there.

Let’s hope all the letters that BRC, AMA, ARRA, QWR, D36ers, CAL4, and Pirate4x4 members have sent will encourage GOP senators to block this Omnibus Bill.

Take Open Congress Poll on this Issue
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1571/news_blogs


PS- Yes they do have escapees – Just had one get away during the WFO Enduro.  Not cool!

Hearing Today on Land Exchange Bill at Stonyford OHV Area

The Recreation HQ wanted to alert those of you following the ongoing saga of the potential transfer of the Fouts Springs Youth Correctional Facility from federal ownership to the county about a hearing today. The Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests is holding this hearing on S. 1571 and other proposals at 2:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m our time). It will be broadcast on the web and if you want to watch the hearing…click on the “live webcast” icon at the bottom left of the page.

Info on Senate Hearing Today
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=fdbe9a8b-e507-89b4-df51-d4fdb171f96e


BRC Comment Letter on S. 1571 Hearing Today
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Deafy_Glade_Oppose_2010_Wyden_Barrasso.0001.pdf


The General’s Archived Blog (with click on photo of area) on this issue
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/10/s-1571-oppose-correctional-facility-at.html


On Monday, The General spoke with Scott Miller (majority staff) regarding our concerns and also shared our photo of the facility and campgrounds so the committee could better visualize the area. If S. 1571 does get voted out of committee today, be assured the Recreation HQ will work hard to make sure that strong reversion language is inserted into the bill.

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all of you who have sent letters to Congress on this issue.
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Vote on S. 1571

The General often checks OpenCongress to track legislation. Yesterday, I alerted my fellow riders about S. 1571 and the ongoing saga of certain politicians to permanently site a correctional facility at the confluence of two streams and in the center of a popular destination recreation area in Northern California.

If you feel so inclined, please go to the website below and VOTE if you support or oppose S. 1571.

Vote Here at OpenCongress
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1571/news_blogs


Thanks for your interest in land-use issues!