summer 2000 conservation almanac newsletter, trinity county resource conservation district

8/3/2019 Summer 2000 Conservation Almanac Newsletter, Trinity County Resource Conservation District

1/7

1 Trinity County Resource Conservation District Summer Issue 2000

tion for deer and other wildlife. These practices alsoreduce the intensity of wildfire.

Fuels Reduction Demonstration projects are currentlyunderway in the Covington Mill/Long Canyon commu-nity and along East Branch Road in Weaverville. A de-

tailed Fire Management Plan has recently been com-pleted for the Covington Mill/Long Canyon/Lake ForestEstates area. The Plan recommends future fuelbreaks, fuel ladder reductions, and other landscape-

(Continued on page 6)

Conservation AlmanacConservation AlmanacConservation AlmanacConservation AlmanacTrinity County Resource Conservation District

Summer 2000 Vol. IX No. 2

Also In This Issue:

Backyard Conservation Program

Weaverville Basin Trail Update

South Fork Trinity River Restoration

District Managers Corner

Strategic Fire Planning Process

The Trinity County Fire Safe Council has made sig-nificant progress toward the development of a stra-

tegic fire plan for Trinity County. In May, five re-gional meetings were held in North Lake, Mid Trin-ity, South Fork, Southern Trinity, and Down Riverareas to identify and map values at risk and loca-

tions of key infrastructure relevant to fire re-sponse; to propose activities to minimize the riskof catastrophic fires; and to prioritize proposed pro-

jects within each portion of the county. The plan-ning process to date has brought together commu-nity members, fire and forestry experts from CDF,USFS, Volunteer Fire Departments, and the private

sector.

As we all know, large fires have occurred in TrinityCounty in the past and will likely occur again. Themix of residential development, timberlands, hotsummer weather and high ignition risk make fireand fuel management an important concern forresidents of this area. California Department ofForestry and Fire Protection (CDF), U.S. Forest Ser-vice (USFS), and private foresters have come torecognize that the expansion of homes into thewildland-urban interface has created potential

for devastating loss of lives, dwellings, and forestresources. Foresters, ecologists, wildlife biologists,and fire managers are developing new strategies

to allow safer coexistence of people and wildlands. Prescriptions for maintaining healthy, fireresistant forest conditions generally call for re-duced tree densities and use of low intensity pre-scribed fire. The desired stands will appear moreopen and park-like, with increased forage produc-

Chipping at Fuel Break Along Long Canyon Road


2/7


and organizing the assistance ofthe community groups providing in-kind services for the Gateway Pro-

ject.

Trail Condition SurveyTrail Condition SurveyTrail Condition SurveyTrail Condition SurveyMaintenance PlanMaintenance PlanMaintenance PlanMaintenance PlanThe Trail Committee has nearlycompleted its assessment of the

trail conditions for the USFS. Vol-unteers have biked or hiked sec-

tions of trail to identify locations inneed of maintenance. Drainageproblems, missing signs, and lowbranches have been the primarymaintenance needs identified.These problems have beenmapped and maintenance will beprioritized for implementation with

the assistance of the USFS.

Wetlands Reserve ProgramWetlands Reserve ProgramWetlands Reserve ProgramWetlands Reserve ProgramThe Natural Resources Conserva-

tion Service (NRCS) has offeredTrinity County $500 per acre for55 acres for a conservation ease-ment to restore the area behind

the Industrial Park in Weavervilleas part of their Wetland ReserveProgram. The NRCS would also

contribute $75,000 to restore 7acres of these wetlands. Thisarea, which is near Weaver Creekand currently marshy with someponds, is an excellent place to ob-serve birds and other wildlife.

This project, if it is approved by theTrinity County Board of Supervi-sors, would become a part of theWeaverville Basin Trail Systemwith paths and interpretive sign-

age installed at appropriate loca-tions. A conceptual design for thewetlands area is included in theWeaverville Basin Trail MasterPlan.

New Bridge InstalledNew Bridge InstalledNew Bridge InstalledNew Bridge InstalledThe USFS obtained funds to installa new bridge for pedestrians, bikes

Progress on the Weaverville Basin Trail System

MMMMaster Plan Completedaster Plan Completedaster Plan Completedaster Plan CompletedThe USDA Forest Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest provided agrant through the Community Eco-nomic Revitalization Team (CERT)program to Trinity County in 1998

to develop a Master Plan for theWeaverville Basin Trail SystemATrail Through Time on lands out-side the management of theUSFS. This conceptual plan ismeant to complement the Environ-mental Assessment that was ap-proved in 1996 for the trails onlands managed by the USFS, and

to enhance the recreational ex-perience of the Weaverville com-munity and its visitors.

The Master Plan Release 1.0 wasrecently completed through thecooperative efforts of the TrinityCounty Resource ConservationDistrict, Trinity County ResourceConservation & DevelopmentCouncil, USDA Natural ResourceConservation Service, WeavervilleBasin Trail Committee, and resi-dents of the Weaverville commu-nity. Representatives of these or-ganizations, including Mr. RobertSnieckus, NRCS National Land-scape Architect, recently provideda presentation on the Master Plan

to the Trinity County Board of Su-pervisors.

As the document makes clear, thisMaster Plan is a conceptual plandesigned to show the potential of

the Weaverville Basin Trail system.Although much public input (andseveral community scoping ses-sions) has gone into the develop-ment of this document, it is notcast in stone. It is a documentsubject to change, revision, andupdating.

Copies of the Master Plan areavailable for viewing at the Weav-

erville and Hayfork branches of theTrinity County Library, the PlanningDepartment, the Trinity County Re-source Conservation District, and

the Trinity County Resource Conser-vation & Development Council of-fice. You also can request a copy of

the plan on CD-ROM from the Re-source Conservation District, or viewhighlights of the plan on the Dis-

tricts web-site (http://www.snowcrest.net/tcrcd).

This Plan will be an effective tool forsecuring funds for trail developmentas well as to focus the efforts of theTrail Committee. The Trail Commit-

tee hopes that the information pro-vided in the Master Plan will help usmake the best possible decisions

toward implementing the missionand vision of a basin-wide trail sys-

tem.

The RCD will be applying for fundsfrom the Park Services RecreationalTrails Program to implement one of

the high priority trail segmentsevaluated in the Master Plan(developing a trail from Oregon

Street along West Weaver Creek tothe Industrial Park complex).

TrinityTrinityTrinityTrinity Gateway ProjectGateway ProjectGateway ProjectGateway ProjectTrinity County is beginning to imple-ment the Trinity Gateway Project.The project includes improved park-ing, a transit stop, lighting, improved

trails, and landscaping, and informa-tional kiosks at the Lee Fong Parkand Lee Ranch House. This area ismeant to be a major trailhead for

the Weaverville Basin Trail system.This is a $300,000 project that isreceiving $210,000 from a CalTransEnvironmental Enhancement Mitiga-

tion grant. The RCD and ResourceConservation & Development Coun-cil will assist the county with por-

tions of the project that pertain tolandscaping, interpretive signage,


3/7


others are hosting a field tripcalled Historic Weaverville and

the Weaverville Basin Trail for theNational Trails Symposium that isbeing held in Redding this Sep-

tember. This trip will include aguided hike or mountain bike rideon the Weaverville Basin Trail sys-

tem or a guided walk through His-

toric DowntownWeaverville. TheNational TrailsSymposium at-

tracts hundreds oftrail enthusiastsfrom around thecountry everyother year, and

this field trip is anexcellent opportu-nity to highlight

Trinity County rec-reational opportu-nities.

Private Lands Easements GrantedPrivate Lands Easements GrantedPrivate Lands Easements GrantedPrivate Lands Easements Grantedfor the Weaverville Basin Trailfor the Weaverville Basin Trailfor the Weaverville Basin Trailfor the Weaverville Basin TrailThe Highland Snyder Founda-

tions Board of Directors unani-

and horses over East Weaver Creekas part of the Weaverville BasinTrail system. The bridge was con-structed this spring by the CaliforniaConservation Corps and is locatedoff of East Weaver Road via a grav-eled driveway. This bridge enablesaccess on USFS land to the trail up

to Jackass Ridge.

Hosting Field Trip forHosting Field Trip forHosting Field Trip forHosting Field Trip forNationaNationaNationaNational Trails Symposiuml Trails Symposiuml Trails Symposiuml Trails SymposiumThe Weaverville Basin Trail Commit-

tee, the Chamber of Commerce and

mously agreed to grant TrinityCounty an easement throughproperty owned by the HighlandSnyder Foundation Trust for theWeaverville Basin Trail. Thiseasement is for roughly a milelong stretch of trail and impor-

tant trail intersections through

their property along Ten CentGulch. In addition to existingstate laws that protect privatelandowners, private propertyowners who provide an ease-ment for the trail, will be indem-nified by the county from any li-ability associated with trail use.

The Weaverville Community Ser-vice District (WCSD) is providing

trail easement through its prop-

erty on the Day Ranch Trailalong East Weaver Creek. TheWCSD has also granted an ease-ment to the county for trail ac-cess through its property at theend of Manzanita Street to the

trail along the ridge by the reser-voir, called Jackass Ridge. Theprevious trailhead had beenblocked off with a gate.

The Trail Committee looked for

ways to work around this obsta-cle and found a receptive land-owner, who is willing to providean easement to the trail, allow-ing residents and visitors the op-portunity to continue enjoying

this section of the WeavervilleBasin Trail.

Trail access is a serious issuefor communities and the Weav-erville Basin Trail Committee has

been working to keep accessavailable to trail users while notinfringing on landowners rights.The Trail Committee and other

trail users are truly grateful tothese landowners for providingthe community with access toour amazing trail system.

Conceptual Design of Wetland Area from the Master Plan

New Bridge Over East Weaver Creek


4/7


sioning 5 roads totaling roughly

3.5 miles for the Upper South

Fork watershed and is awaitingfinalization of the Environmental

Assessment. Other work ap-

proved for this summer includes

1 road decommissioning (1 mile)

and 1 road hydroclosure (0.70

miles) in the Smoky/East Fork

watersheds.

RiparianRiparianRiparianRiparian EnhancementEnhancementEnhancementEnhancement

Two pumps have been installed

in the Hayfork Valley to providewater to livestock. Along with

fencing, these projects enable

landowners to keep livestock out

of the creek, which reduces bank

erosion and enhances riparian

conditions. Both pumps utilize

no electricity. A ram pump is

powered by falling water. Live-

stock learn to pump their own

water with the pasture pump by

pressing their nose against a

lever.

Fish Passage EnhancementFish Passage EnhancementFish Passage EnhancementFish Passage Enhancement

The RCD is implementing a fish

passage enhancement project on

Barker Creek on Hwy 3 at the

IIIInventorynventorynventorynventory

The TCRCD was granted

funds from California De-

partment of Fish and

Games Salmon and

Steelhead Trout Restora-

tion Account (SB-271) toinventory the roads on

lands managed by the

US Forest Service in the

Rattlesnake Creek water-

shed. Data will be col-

lected on roughly 240 miles

of road including all active

sediment sources associated with

roads and stream crossings, ade-

quacy of culvert sizes, diversionpotential, and maintenance

needs. The inventory data will be

utilized for the Forest Services

scheduled Watershed Analysis for

Rattlesnake Creek. This analysis

will be used to identify project op-

portunities and evaluate sites for

project implementation that will

improve fish and wildlife habitat.

The RCD has also applied forfunds to implement road inventory

on private lands in the Grouse

Creek Watershed with the assis-

tance of the South Fork Trinity

River Coordinated Resource Man-

agement Planning group (CRMP).

Road WorkRoad WorkRoad WorkRoad Work

Maintenance level work (primarily

reducing diversion potential) con-

tinues in the Hidden Valley com-partment of the South Fork Trinity

River Watershed on US Forest Ser-

vice lands. Nineteen and a half

miles of this work have been ap-

proved to date. A work plan has

been submitted for decommis-

South Fork Trinity River Restoration Projects Update confluence with Hayfork Creek.This project involves the recon-

struction of an existing fish lad-

der, installing baffles in a box

culvert, and building two rock

and mortar weirs. This project

will improve fish habitat and im-

prove steelhead passage. This

project is being funded from theCalifornia Department of Fish

and Games SB 271 funds.

MonitoriMonitoriMonitoriMonitoringngngng

TCRCD recently received a grant

from Trinity County to perform

Turbidity and Suspended Sedi-

ment Monitoring in the South

Fork Trinity River watershed.

The goals of this project are todevelop baseline data that will

assist in: (1) Prioritizing restora-

tion actions by identifying water-

sheds that have disproportion-

ately high sediment yields; (2)

Providing monitoring data to

evaluate the effectiveness of

restoration actions to date in

various sub-watersheds; (3) Pro-

viding information useful for im-

plementing the TMDL by identi-fying background and current

turbidity levels in portions of the

South Fork Trinity River and its

tributaries; and (4) Facilitating

education and empowerment of

watershed residents by organiz-

ing a community-based volun-

teer program for monitoring tur-

bidity. This information should

ultimately assist in reducing the

rate of sedimentation into the

South Fork Trinity River and

tributaries and accelerate the

effectiveness of fish and wildlife

restoration in the River.

Problems identified on USFS road

Plugged culvert and blown crossing


5/7


DAY IN THE DISTRICT

Trinity County RCD hosted their firstDAY IN THE DISTRICT tour on May12, 2000. Led by District and NRCSstaff, Assemblyman Dick Dickerson,Trinity County Supervisors Chris Erick-son and Ralph Modine, NRCS Assis-

tant State Conservationist Linden

Brooks, and several RCD Directors vis-ited restoration projects that were re-cently completed.

In addition to highlighting District pro-jects and activities, the tour gave Di-rectors an opportunity to discuss theimportance of locally led conservationand the need for base funding withelected officials. AssemblymanDickerson and our Supervisors wereable to meet with landowners and see

first-hand, completed projects on resi-dents properties, including cattle ex-clusion fencing, fire rehabilitationwork, emergency watershed protec-

tion (EWP), and a forestry incentiveprogram (FIP). Other stops weremade to observe and discuss the Cov-ington Mills fuels management dem-onstration project, which is located ina rural residential community, and aproject with Caltrans involving revege-

tation along highway 299.

Trinity Alps Resort owners MorganLangon and Margo Gray hosted a buf-fet luncheon and showed attendeesEWP work implemented at the resortby NRCS and Trinity RCD.

A special thanks to landowners GenieHardt, Ray Petersen, and John Scottfor showcasing the work done on theirproperties.

neighbors about sound land man-agement practices and habitat en-hancement is central to the Dis-

tricts mission.

Look for us at theTrinity County Fair. We will beholding a raffle each day for peo-ple to vote on our new BackyardConservation Logo. Participantswill receive wildflower and nativegrass seeds. Daily raffle winnerswill be given native plants for land-scaping.

Trinity County Backyard Conservation

TTTThe Trinity County Resource Con-servation District would like to an-nounce our new program, TrinityCounty Backyard Conservation. TheDistrict has long been committed toassisting landowners in the

protection, management,

conserva-tion and restoration of the

natural resources of Trinity County.The TC Backyard Conservation Pro-gram, which is funded by the Cali-fornia Department of Conservation,will increase our ability to help Trin-

ity County resident with their con-servation needs. District Staff canoffer information and technical as-sistance to landowners in the fol-lowing areas: erosion control toprotect the soil and ensure highwater quality; use of native plantsfor site stabilization and landscap-ing; riparian habitat improvementfor wildlife and the health of ourwaterways; fuel load reduction toprotect your home from forest fire;

water quality monitoring; and waterconservation to safeguard thisvaluable resource.

Residents of Trinity County are wellaware of the beauty of our cornerof the world. Unfortunately, someof our activities can negatively im-pact the health of our forests, thewaterways, and the wildlife popula-

tions in our community. Addition-ally, many plant communities are

threatened by the invasion of non-native, introduced plant speciesthat affect biological diversity andsignificantly alter wildlife habitat.

For these and many other reasons,learning how to be a good landsteward is important for any resi-dent of our county. Educating our

Upcoming Schedule

of Events:

Fire Safe CouncilWeaverville Fire

Hall

4th Thursday of each month

Trinity County FairHayfork

August 25-27

South Fork CRMPTCRCD

September 19

National Trails SymposiumRedding

September 19-25

Salmon Festival Lee Fong ParkOctober 7

Conservation

BeginsAtHome!

Assemblyman Dick Dickerson and others


6/7


(Continued from page 1)

level treatments to reduce thethreat of catastrophic fire andimprove forest health. This planwill be incorporated into thecounty-wide strategic fire plan.

The Watershed Research andTraining Center has begun to im-plement a fuels reduction and

thinning project on 10 acres ofthe Jones Plantation on theSouth Fork Management Unit of

the Shasta-Trinity National For-est to explore the use of smalldiameter material for valueadded products. Fuels reductionprojects are being planned forTimber Ridge and Post Mountainneighborhoods as well as se-

lected areas on public lands.The strategic fire plan will be

used for:

input to the Safety Elementof the Trinity County GeneralPlan

Helping to identify and pri-

oritize additional projectsbased on their location in thelandscape and associatedfire risk

support for the Volunteer

Fire Departments

obtaining additional funds to im-

plement necessary landscapetreatment projects on public andprivate land

enhancing coordination and ef-

fective use of limited resources

Education and outreach is an impor-tant objective of the Trinity CountyFire Safe Council. As part of this ef-fort a sign was installed before thelong Forth of July weekend in theLong Canyon Demonstration Project,a roadside shaded fuel break. Abrochure describing the Long Can-yon shaded fuel break was pro-duced as well, and has been placedat the informational sign for out-reach and education of residentsand casual visitors to this popularroad for access to the Trinity Alps

Wildernessarea.

The Fire SafeCouncil is alsoworking on de-veloping aPower Pointslide presenta-

tion to beused to give

presentationsto variouscommunitygroups and toschools.

Funding forthese variousFire Safe plan-ning, imple-mentation,

and education projects has come

from the State Water ResourcesControl Board, the Pacific SouthwestExperimental Station, and CaliforniaDepartment of Forestry and Fire Pro-

tections Forest Stewardship Pro-gram.

Trinity High Student Wins Trip

to Hawaii

Katrina Zimmer of Junction City took firstplace at the 16th annual California Rangeand Natural Resources Camp, held atElkus Youth Ranch in Half Moon Bay, CA.Pleased not only to rank top among herpeers in subjects such as ecology and

rangeland management, Katrina is lookingforward to her first place prize--a trip toKona, Hawaii.

Sponsored by Trinity County Resource Con-servation District with the recommenda-

tion of her FFA advisor and Trinity HighSchool Agriculture Science teacher, MikeRourke, Katrina attended camp June 18 23, 2000. Range Camp is designed to in-

troduce young men and women to the im-portance and value of Californias range-land resources. The program encouragesleadership and good stewardship through

the interaction with recognized profession-als in both classroom and field sessions.Ecology and practical land managementskills are emphasized and include: plantidentification, livestock management, wild-life, fire, range analysis and improvement.Camp was a great experience, and Iwould recommend any student attending,says Katrina. After completing high school

she plans to study equine science anddrama, and perhaps become a large ani-mal veterinarian.

The daughter of Karen Zimmer, Katrina wilattend The Society for Range Manage-ments Annual meeting while in Hawaii andparticipate in the Youth Forum Interna-

tional Range Camp. Katrina is preparing aslide show presentation for the Forum.

Katrina with her horsesChryssa and Asahm

Informational Sign Installed in the Long Canyon

Demonstration Project


7/7


ings with Justin Martin and TrinaHedrick, AmeriCorps WatershedStewardship members, and myself.Together we measured the creek,looked at the health of streambankvegetation and collected someaquatic bugs. You cant study astream without getting a little wet,and more than a couple of kidsaccidentally fell into the water in

the afternoon heat. At one station,everyone learned how to measure

the clarity of the water with the Dis-tricts turbidimeter, a common scien-tific instrument used to study waterquality.

It was rewarding to see the excite-ment in the faces of students when

they caught a crayfish; found thenest of a Spotted sandpiper on thebeach; watched a Black Phoebebuilding a nest on the overhangingbranch of a sugar pine; or identified

the snake they caught near the din-ing hall as a Racer.

I hope the students had as much fun

as I did over at Bar 717. I know thatI am already counting the days untilwe return this September with newclasses. Who knows what well findwith the dip of a net in the stream, orwhat birds well spy on an earlymorning hike.

Here at the District we have had avery busy and rewarding spring andsummer. Last year we set a goal ofreaching out to more members of ourcommunities. To do so we knew thatwe would have to diversify our fund-ing, and I am pleased to tell you thatwe have been successful in this effort.This issue describes a wide range ofprojects in which the District has beeninvolved. I am particularly excitedabout two new grants. The BackyardConservation program is designed tobring information and technical assis-

tance to your backyard to help youwith some thorny issues like how youmight control Himalayan blackberries

along your stream; or what kinds ofnative plants you can incorporate intoyour landscaping to attract songbirds.The Backyard Conservation project isbeing coupled with another the Ri-parian Education and Outreach pro-

ject being funded by the National Fishand Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Thisoutreach and education project fo-cuses on the care and managementof streamside areas, especially for

those of us who live on creeks and riv-

ers. Through these two projects Dis-trict staff can come out and work withyou individually and we are available

to speak to your group or organization.Give us a call at 623-6004 if youwould like our assistance.

What better way to teach aboutstreams and the importance they playin Trinity County than to spend a cou-ple of days with 54 enthusiastic stu-dents out in the field. Thats just whatwe did to kick-off the NFWF stream-side education project this spring.The District was invited to help teach

the 6th grade classes of David Newtonand Jean Yoho at Weaverville Elemen-

tary School during their May trip to Bar717 Ranch near Hyampom.For two days children, teachers, andchaperones had the opportunity tostudy Hayfork Creek and its surround-

The Fall Salmon Festival is be-ing held on Saturday OctoberSaturday OctoberSaturday OctoberSaturday October7th7th7th7th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. tocelebrate the age old salmon

runs and the plentiful fallharvest. This event, spon-sored by the Trinity CountyArts Council, was a great suc-cess last year, and promisesto be just as fun the secondtime around. This years festi-val, which is free to the public,will feature world-renownedIrish musician Mick Moloney,and music throughout the day

by other great bands. Therewill be plenty of activities forthe whole family, including hayrides, a salmon tent, water-shed education, art displays, afarmers market, and more.

Energetic folks can kick off theday by participating in the FallFallFallFallSalmon Fun RunSalmon Fun RunSalmon Fun RunSalmon Fun Run. This eventis open to participants of allages and abilities, and will in-clude a 5 kilometer Fun Run /Walk, which will follow a routethrough historic Weaverville

and environs.

For more information on par-ticipating in the Salmon Festi-val or a Fun Run entry form, orapplications for vendor or in-formational booths, contactJustin Martin at 623-6004, oremail [email protected].

District Managers CornerPat Frost

Students at the Environmental Camp

at Bar 717

2nd Annual Fall2nd Annual Fall

Salmon FestivalSalmon Festival

summer 2000 conservation almanac newsletter, trinity county resource conservation district

Documents