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FOREST RESTORATION AN
D FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT
Bear Lodge Harvest Activity Report August 21, 2020
From Stan Stetson
Hopefully all members are aware of the fire situation in California and specifically the fires between Pescadero and Santa Cruz. In reviewing the Interagency infra red satellite maps, it appears as if the current fire threat to Bear Lodge Grove is not immediate at this time. Leonard McIntee was at Bear Lodge on Monday Aug 17 and had contact with Kings Mountain VFD and hiked the property and found no indications of smoke or flame. There was a fire on Irish Ridge across Tunitas Creek towards Half Moon Bay that had crews and dozer taking suppression action. This fire was contained.
Kings Mt.VFD needed to enter the part to do a recon of the area above the parking lot looking for a possible lighting struck tree that had been reported. Leonard coordinated with them and there appears to be no fire currently. “Sleeper Fires” can spring to life up to ten days after a storm, but generally not when it is a dry storm with little precipitation.
Rob Bruno checked conditions on Friday August 21, and reported no threats detected and the County Road Crew on the road checking on road conditions.
Cal Fire suspended logging on all operations on Moday August 17, due to Red Flag Warnings due to extreem heat and lighting treat. Supsequentially, all operations are stopped due to the fires. The haul route is closed going to the mill in Davenport and the maps show fire on three sides of the sawmill.
Current conditions can change rapidly. Today the main fire had not crossed the Pescadero Road. If the tropical moisture comes up from the south as predicted for Sun,Mon period we could see additional Thunder Storms, higher winds and a general flow from the south to the north. IT WOULD NOT BE PRUDENT TO BE AT BEAR LODGE IF THE WIND PUSHES THE FIRE NORTH TOWARDS HALF NOON BAY AND THE STEEP SLOPES CARRY THE FIRE TO SKYLINE.
Without the other fires in the state, a fire of this size and having big old down Redwood logs in the creeks and draws left from 100 years ago would burn until sufficient rain soaks to the heart of the downed logs and rotting trees. Picture the area below the falls at Bear Lodge.
So, I anticipate it will definitely be weeks, not days before logging can resume. The roads to the mill must have hazard trees removed, guard rails fixed, power poles replaced and then we don’t know about the status of the power, water,etc at the Big Creek mill.
One of the logging crew is a Volunteer Fire Fighter in Felton. Sam reported at first, his family home lost after constructing dozer lines until forced to race to safety. His last report states, the deck is burnt off, the travel trailer melted and the shed burnt down. Our house is standing but the neighbors is gone.
Please keep family, friends and First Responders in our hearts and prayers.
In frienship, loyalty and charity
Brother, Stan Stetson
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Bear Lodge Harvest Activity Report July 28th 2020
From Stan Stetson
I spent from July 8th until July 14th at Bear Lodge and offer the following update on progress and conditions.
Forester Bill Vaughan has been providing timely and professional oversight of the operations and has coordinated with Cal Fire, Big Creek Lumber, the purchaser of the logs, and the California Tax Fee
Administration.
Besides phone calls, emails, and texts, Bill has visited the site on 6/3, 6/13, 6/18 ,6/29, and most recently on July 9th. Leonard McIntee or Stan Stetson, the elected Parlor representatives, have met together and separately with Bill and Licensed Timber Operator Jeff Mead to work out operational details and address issues about how to best meet the parlor’s agreed-upon objectives for the project.
Cal Fire visited the site during the first week of July and reported operations are being conducted in compliance with the terms and conditions of our Structure Protection Exemptions which were issued May 18,2020 and all requirements must be completed and accepted by Cal Fire before May 18, 2021.
President Bobby Virgo and Bear Lodge Chair, and Harvest committee member Rob Bruno were given a tour of operations on the weekend of July 11th and 12th. Items discussed included the forestry prescription applied by our forester, improvements to the water system that can be accomplished during the restoration and relocation of lines removed to prevent damage during log skidding, and development of a long term plan for managing the trees around the lodge that grow and or die and can affect the structure and safety of members.
Despite the best efforts of Leonard to identify and remove portions of the waterlines and the logger slowing his operations to position his dozer to skid away from the lines, it is not logical, practical or financially prudent to attempt to try and save lines on the surface or buried in a shallow ditch. Plans are being made to rent a trencher after the logger restores the access road used for skidding logs, and bury the line to protect it from freezing, animal damage and vehicle travel. It was discovered that the line I remembered from working with my Dad and Uncle Les Darknell in 1961 is actually still looped into the system. Preplanning paid off, as the water shot up, the choker setter knew which way to run and which valve to shut off and only a couple of gallons of water was lost. To prevent losing all the water in the tanks, the system has been shut down.
Laurie McIntee and I have been tracking the log scale volume, payments and hold backs for clean up and restoration, as well as payments to the Forester and California Tax and Fee Administration, which collects the Timber Yield Tax. Private timber removed is subject to a tax based on value of timber sold and the appraised cost of operations, by county and changed each fiscal quarter. We paid at the rate of 2.9% on 109Mbf based on the appraised value of our harvest. Total of this tax for the project including the third quarter is estimated at $6,000.
California, with the most restrictive Forest Practices in the nation, also includes a special tax on all wood products sold and it is the responsibility of retail outlets to collect the tax to fund the program.
In Friendship, Loyalty and Charity
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Bear Lodge Grove July 4th 2020 update from Stan Stetson
I spent June 22nd until June 28th at Bear Lodge Grove
As of Monday, morning June 28th thirty-five truck loads of logs had been removed and the area around the lodge parking area was ready for the climber to come and rig trees to be directionally felled with a line attached to the dozer. Once these trees are skid to the landing, slash treatment and erosion control work can begin in this area.
I anticipate fewer loads will be shipped as efforts divert from felling and skidding to lopping, chipping and water barring, etc.
Leonard, Stan, Logger Jeff Mead and Forrester Bill Vaughan met on Monday morning June 28th to discuss hazard trees around cabins that will be skid to the parking lot. Leonard repaired a minor break in water line and Tan Oaks were designated for removal while climber is working area. Climber scheduled for Tues and Thurs.
Stan scheduled a meeting for July 9th with Bill Vaughan to discuss possible additional slash treatments beyond that which is required by CAL FIRE under the Exemptions and may be necessary to meet 30 foot and 100 foot defensible space requirements of Cal PRC 4291.
Quite a few members are anticipating what the area will look like, when our planned forest health and fuels reduction efforts are completed. I have found some information online that may help you understand what we are trying to accomplish and the science behind the effort.
Choosing to do nothing to the forest is an action that also has consequences that can affect the landscape for longer than multiple generations. Our lifetime is a fleeting moment in the life span of Sequoia Sempervirens. As a parlor we have invested in the future of the land we hold in trust for the next generation.
Please google:
REDWOOD FOREST RESTORATION
Redwood Forest Restoration in the Bay Area.openspacetrust.org
Restore/Save the Redwoods League
Second Growth Forests and Restoration Thinning-Redwood
In Friendship, loyalty and charity
Brother, Stan Stetson
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BLG Fuel and Timber Management
Project Update from Stan Stetson
June 6, 2020 Progress Report: Bear Lodge Fuels and Timber Management Project
Re: Cal Fire Structure Protection Exemptions
May 14: Officers vote to sign contracts with the following.
Bill Vaughn; Registered Professional Forester/ Licensed Arborist:
To act as agent for Structure Protection Exemptions on behalf of Redwood Parlor , submit requests to Cal Fire, Contract and oversee on the ground operations with LTO, and negotiate a best value purchase agreement with a sawmill.
Jeff Mead, Licensed Timber Operator:
Jeff will conduct harvest and fuels reduction on the ground and deliver logs according to contract specification to Big Creek Lumber, Davenport CA. and in accordance with the California Forest Practices Act. Fall, skid, load and haul at the negotiated per MBF rate.
Big Creek Lumber Company:
Big Creek agrees to purchase Redwood Logs processed in accordance with their Log
Manufacturing Guide Lines @ 850/MBF scaled Scribner decimal C, gross net, by third party scaler in accordance with ”National Forest Log Scaling Handbook”.
In addition, a motion was passed to appoint Leonard McIntee and Stan Stetson as on the ground representatives of Redwood Parlor to make agreements on parlors behalf with Contractors. This work is to be provided pro bono and without compensation.
May 18t 2020 Letter of Acceptance from Cal Fire authorizing work to begin according to Title 14, Cal Code of Regulations sec 1038. Authority to expire May 18 ,2021.
May 20 Equipment mobilization begins by Jeff Mead.
May 21 Davey Tree in Park working on power line clearance. Tunitas Creek Road and Swett Road closed off and on all day.
May 22 Cat and Loader, fire box arrive on site. Agreement made to begin operations on Tues May 26, to allow cabin and site lease holders time to prepare their sites for tree removal.
May 26 falling, skidding AM. First load leaves landing 1300 hrs on Log truck with trailer modified to accommodate 33 foot preferred length long logs.
June 2 To date 9 loads delivered, Gross net 3.3MBF average. Trucking rate negotiated and agreed upon by all parties and payments and hold-back for performance established with our Treasurer and Big Creek
financial department.
In Friendship, Loyalty and Charity
Stan Stetson
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Bear Lodge Grove
Fuel Reduction Harvest Project
Please do not contact:
Please be respectful to our Committee Brothers and the Parlor! Remember your Oath…
In FLC
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Update – Effective May 26th
Bear Lodge Park and Lodge Remains CLOSED to all Members
The first directive regarding the COVID-19 closure mandate dated April 4th remains in place. In addition to that original directive, we are issuing a second mandate effective May 26th.
This action is necessary as the property is undertaking an extensive vegetative fire fuel reduction plan. In addition to the reduction plan project, PGE is simultaneously executing mandatory high power line clearing work.
Therefore keeping within insurance requirements and for personal safety purposes members cannot access the property for any reason.
We will provide periodic email updates to all members as the work progresses.
Parlor Officers appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward a safer and healthier Bear Lodge and Park and Lodge.
In Friendship, Loyalty and Charity,
Robert Bruno
Bear Lodge Chairman
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Closure – Bear Lodge Park and Lodge
Effective Immediately – Bear Lodge Park and Lodge are closed due to the current state mandate to shelter-in-place.
Due to COVID19 the Park and Lodge will remain closed until further notice. Cabin and Campsite lessee’s can access their respective cabins or campsites but must shelter in place, with only immediate family. DO NOT use the Lodge, Lodge barbecue, fire pit or bathrooms. No campfires please.
Our Lodge President and the Bear Lodge Committee fully endorse these measures for the health and well being of our Native Son’s Brothers.
We will get through these difficult and challenging times together. Please be safe and remain healthy.
In Friendship, Loyalty and Charity.
Robert Bruno
Bear Lodge Chairman
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NSGW Grand President Letter
Daniel Christopher Schweickert
January 29, 1973 – December 24, 2019
20 year member of Redwood Parlor
Donations can be made to a college fund for Cypress Schweickert at:
GoFundMe.com/f/cypress-schweickert
Click here to support Little Cypress Schweickert plans for college organized by Lisa Schweickert
