[pct-l] Post Fire Recons

[Paul Cronshaw]

L-Rod's reaction is a good reminder to others. Best to stay out of the burn areas and let nature take its course. Forest closures post fire are an important part of the restoration process.

Jody Noiron's letter outlines the same protocol I experienced after the Zaca Fire. I witnessed the damage from one season's rain storms and it was not pretty.  However,  a good CCC trail crew worked some nice engineering trail restoration magic and the trail is now open to stock and hikers.  Click on this picture for before and after views.

http://picasaweb.google.com/beemancron/2009SantaCruzStation#5399356412060238738

We are hoping this year's storms will not take out these structures.

The Beeman



> From: dsaufley at sprynet.com
> To: beemancron at hotmail.com; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] Post Fire Recons
> Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:23:42 -0800
> 
> In response to Beeman and BigToe, I suspect that if this fellow were part of
> a recon team or trail crew out on any kind of project, he would have said so
> and represented his official status being in the closure. Instead of any
> shred of substantiation for a reason to be there, he used the "evil twin
> Jake who wanted to take a longish hike" line, a thinly veiled reference to
> the fact that he knew he wasn't supposed to be there. I also checked to see
> if "NHPS" was related to trails, trail crews, volunteers, etc., but could
> make no connection. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for those
> who work in, on, and for our wilderness and trails. But that's not what
> "Elwood" claimed in any way, and thus my reaction. 
> 
> You may find of interest a letter from the Angeles Forest Supervisor, Jody
> Noiron, dated October of this year www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/ In it she
> writes, "We have completed our assessment of the natural resources and
> infrastructure damage resulting from the fire. We are not immediately
> initiating repair and recovery projects at this time, for two reasons. One
> reason is public safety, due to the extreme danger within the burned areas.
> A second reason is that we anticipate further damages will occur in the
> burned area from storms in the coming winter. From a practical standpoint,
> it is premature to begin projects now that may be damaged or destroyed
> during the storm season. For these reasons, it will likely be next spring
> before we can really implement restoration projects." 
> 
> L-Rod
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Paul Cronshaw
> Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:00 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Post Fire Recons
> 
> 
> When the Zaca Fire burned 3/4 of our favorite Los Padres Forest in 2007, the
> forest was closed for a year. As a Wilderness Volunteer Rangers (VWR) I
> formed a special group of LW hikers, dubbed the "Litehikers". We were given
> permission to hike many of the trails in the burn area, take photos and
> document trail conditions. With the information we sent to the respective
> USFS districts, rehab money was obtained and many preservation projects were
> completed.
> 
> I hope there are others out there who, with the proper permission, will
> volunteer to do recons so rehab projects can take place in a timely manner.
> These recons are VERY important for the USFS and other organizations (eg
> PCTA). Supporting the PCTA with donations and dues is important: to help
> PCT volunteers restore the PCT through the fire damaged areas.
> 
> My recon trips can be viewed at:
> 
> http://picasaweb.google.com/beemancron
> 
> Hope these upcoming rains stay gentle to help mother nature continue plant
> succession and minimize erosion.
> 
> The Beeman 
> VWR Santa Barbara Ranger District
> 
> >--Forwarded Message Attachment--
> >From: david at xpletive.com
> >To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> >Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:45:25 -0600
> >Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT - Mt Gleason to Soledad Canyon
> 
> >That was my first impression too Donna but there is a possibility that he
> is part of the >recovery team from some of the language in his captions.
> Maybe a biologist?
> 
> >BigToe
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On >Behalf Of dsaufley
> >Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:36 PM
> >To: 'AsABat'; pct-l at backcountry.net
> >Cc: 'Anitra Kass'
> >Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT - Mt Gleason to Soledad Canyon
> 
> >It's extremely upsetting to see pictures taken from a CLOSED area. I guess
> >this guy thinks he's above the law. 
> 
> >L-Rod


 		 	   		  
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