Events in the Big Santa Anita
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From the USDA Website
| Release No. 0382.09 August 14, 2009 |
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| Contact: | |||
| USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623 | |||
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK PRESENTS NATIONAL VISION FOR AMERICA'S FORESTS |
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SEATTLE, August 14, 2009 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today outlined his vision for the future of our nation's forests. In his first major address regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Vilsack set forth a new direction guided by the principles of conservation, management, and restoration of these natural treasures. Below are excerpts from Secretary Vilsack's speech as prepared for delivery: "A healthy and prosperous America relies on the health of our natural resources, and particularly our forests. America's forests supply communities with clean and abundant water, shelter wildlife, and help us mitigate and adapt to climate change. Forests help generate rural wealth through recreation and tourism, through the creation of green jobs, and through the production of wood products and energy. And they are a national treasure requiring all of us to protect and preserve them for future generations. "The President has made clear his interest in conserving our natural environment. I intend to take that responsibility very seriously and to devote the time and attention it deserves. I also know that Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell shares that commitment. "The Forest Service must not be viewed as an agency concerned only with the fate of our National Forests, but must instead be acknowledged for its work in protecting and maintaining all American forests, including state and private lands. Our shared vision adopts an 'all-lands approach,' requiring close collaboration with the NRCS and its work on America's private working lands. "Our shared vision begins with restoration. Restoration means managing forest lands first and foremost to protect our water resources, while making our forests more resilient to climate change. Forest restoration led by the dedicated people at the Forest Service opens non-traditional markets for climate mitigation and biomass energy while appropriately recognizing the need for more traditional uses of forest resources. "Emerging markets for carbon and sustainable bioenergy will provide landowners with expanded economic incentives to maintain and restore forests. The Forest Service must play a significant role in the development of new markets and ensuring their integrity. Carbon and bioenergy aren't the only new opportunity for landowners. Markets for water can also provide landowners with incentives to restore watersheds and manage forests for clean and abundant water supplies. These markets can also create jobs in rural. "Why restoration as a driving principle in forest policy? There is no doubt that we are facing a health crisis in our forests. Climate change places them under increasing stress that exacerbates the threats of fire, disease, and insects. Throughout the West but in other parts of the country as well a legacy of fire suppression has resulted in forests that are over-stocked and much more susceptible to catastrophic fire and disease. Restoring forest ecosystems, particularly in fire-adapted forests, will make forests more resilient to climate-induced stresses and will ensure that our forests continue to supply abundant, clean water. "The threats facing our forests don't recognize property boundaries. So, in developing a shared vision around forests, we must also be willing to look across property boundaries. In other words, we must operate at a landscape-scale by taking an 'all-lands approach.'" |
From Pasadena Star-News
Truck ban now in place on Angeles Crest
By Nathan McIntire, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/06/2009 05:24:49 PM PDT
Local officials were cheering after a bill barring big rigs from the Angeles Crest Highway - introduced in the wake of a traffic crash that killed a father and daughter - was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"We're smiling broadly in La Cañada Flintridge today," said Mayor Laura Olhasso. "This is a huge step in making our community more safe."
Written by Assemblyman Anthony Portanatino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, and state Sen. Carol Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge, the law bans commercial vehicles with three or more axles, or weighing more than 9,000 pounds, from traveling on the highway, also known as State Route 2.
The law takes effect immediately and carries a $1,000 fine.
Sheriff's investigators said a big rig that lost its brakes while driving down the mountainous road plowed into several cars and into a bookstore April 1. One of the vehicles was being driven by Angel Posca, 58, of Palmdale, whose daughter, Angelina Posca, 12, was in the passenger seat. Both were killed.
Olhasso was a vocal critic of Caltrans after the fatal collision, charging that numerous pleas by the city to improve safety along Angeles Crest had been ignored by Caltrans, despite previous crashes involving trucks.
Caltrans responded by enacting a temporary truck ban along the highway, while Portantino and Liu introduced their bill in Sacramento.
"Obviously the goal here is to make that road safe so we don't have another tragedy," Portantino said Thursday. "And I think this bill goes a long way to making that happen."
The bill cruised easily through the Legislature, passing 79-1 in the Assembly and 40-0 in the Senate.
"No one was opposed to it," Olhasso said.
Caltrans representatives had also met with city officials and state lawmakers to discuss the language of the bill.
"It really was a collaborative effort," said Suzanne Reed, Liu's chief of staff.
The driver of the big rig that killed Posca and his daughter was arrested and faces murder charges. Prosectors allege Marcos Costa, 44, ignored posted weight limit warning signs along ACH when his brakes failed, causing the fatal collision. He remains in custody on $600,000 bail.
Olhasso said truckers had mostly adhered to the temporary ban over the last few months, although sheriff's deputies stopped and cited two truckers along the highway about 10 days ago.
"With both trucks they could smell the burning of their brakes," she said.
News Releases
![[Image]: Forest Service Shield.](http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/images/shield.gif)
USDA Forest Service
Angeles National Forest
Contact: Sherry Rollman
626-574-5208
Construction of New Supervisor's Office
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) is conducting an environmental analysis under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate a proposed construction project in Arcadia, California. We are soliciting public input of the issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis. The ANF is analyzing construction of a new office building for the Supervisor's Office located at 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, California. The project will be funded by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).
Please address issues and concerns in writing by August 28, 2009 Scoping Letter »
Angeles National Forest
Contributes to Economic Recovery
ARCADIA, CA — March 10, 2009
U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell announced the Agency's plan to participate in the nations economic recovery program. The Forest Service has received $1.15 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The first group of Forest Service projects nationwide created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, totaling $98 million, have been selected. These initial projects will create 1,500 jobs, giving the Agency the early opportunity to put people to work. The remaining projects, totaling $1.052 billion, will be announced shortly and will create an additional 23,500 jobs nationwide.
First round projects on lands managed by the Forest Service in California will include maintenance and construction of facilities, roads and trails totaling 70 jobs and $7.75 million. The jobs are estimated to last from four months up to a year. These projects will benefit 11 counties.
"I'm excited that the Angeles National Forest can play an important role in creating jobs for the citizens of California," said Marty Dumpis, Deputy Forest Supervisor. "Over 2.5 million dollars has been allocated to the Forest for facilities, road, and trail maintenance projects which will benefit Los Angeles County and its adjacent communities." added Dumpis.
Under the language of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Forest Service will create as many jobs as possible to support communities and to get money flowing through the economy again. "The Angeles National Forest will be using private contractors, temporary employees and partnership agreements to get the work done," stated Dumpis.
"The Forest Service anticipates playing a key role in our nation's economic recovery," said Chief Kimbell. "We are grateful for the confidence Congress has shown us and look forward to demonstrating how the Forest Service can create good jobs during difficult times," Kimbell added.
Information on the overall U.S. Forest Service role in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/recovery. Information on the total federal effort can be found at http://www.recovery.gov.
Headline News
Chantry Flat Fire or Santa Anita Fire
May 21st, 2008
Three weeks ago a fire broke out along side the road that leads to Chantry Flat and the Pack Station. The cause is still undetermined, but since the point of orgin was at a turn-out in the road, far away from power lines, it is clear that ignition was human in nature. What is unclear to us is whether the fire's official name is the "Chantry Flat Fire" or "Santa Anita Fire". The fire actually started in Lanaan Canyon and burned across private open space in the City of Sierra Madre.
The approximate time of ingition was 2:45 pm on Saturday, April 26th, 2008. Several motorists noticed the small flames and tried to extinguish them, but without proper tools the effort was futile. They did, however, manage to call 911 to report the fire. The first we heard about the fire was about 3:15 pm when our friend Cam Stone called us to report the smoke and the activity; he lives just a few blocks from the entrance gate. Before too long we got a visit from a Sheriff's cruiser to give us the word that nobody would be leaving Chantry for a while.
About this time fire crews were staging in the Chantry Flat parking lot. This is nearly three miles from where the fire was burning, but these crews were present to inform and organize the hikers coming out of the canyon. Meanwhile, Sierra Madre Search & Rescue teams were hiking the canyon to request that hikers and cabin owners leave immediately. With nothing to do but wait, many came to the Pack Station to eat dinner and have an ice cream or a beer. Around 6:00 pm it became clear that the fire was intent on moving west, toward Little Santa Anita Canyon. It was the safe for the Sheriff's deputies to escort small groups of cars down the road to town.
Word of the fire had long since been transmitted by radio to Sturtevant's Camp, four miles from the end of the road, and they were told to stay at camp until further notice.
We at the Pack Station managed to sleep a little that night, but after midnight the smell of smoke was quite strong and by sun-up the air was thick and brown. When we brought the animals down from the upper corral for breakfast we locked them into the lower corral in case we needed to round them up later. We turned on the perimeter sprinklers and laid out the fire hoses. The Sheriff's deputies were here all of Saturday night and Sunday morning, fueling up on coffee, but they had no word to evacuate us.
Greg had back surgery scheduled for that Sunday, and as much as he didn't want to leave, Deb and Sue told him to go take care of it. I think we all knew that the fire was not going to come our way. However, in the interest of safety, the Pack Station and Sturtevant's Camp were evacuated. This presented problems unique to each entity.
The Pack Station is home to one horse, two mules, ten donkeys, six goats, three dogs and several barn cats. With the help of Suzanne Baltzer, who lives at Santa Anita Dam and who is networked in both the horse community and the animal care community, and with help from the Pasadena SPCA, we got enough trailers up here to bring the animals to Santa Anita Racetrack.
Sturtevant's Camp happened to be hosting a wedding party of fifty people thet weekend. Fire officials, including those from the Forest Service, were worried that if the campers started the three-hour hike out of the canyon and the fire changed direction, the people might get trapped. Fortunately, we of Big Santa Anita Canyon and those of Search & Rescue know The Canyon much better than they do. We knew the group would be safe walking north to Newcomb's Pass, where they could be shuttled or air-lifted out of the forest. As it happens, Chris Kasten, manager of Sturtevant's, has long maintained a clear and level helipad just a few hundred yards walk up behind the camp. The big Sheriff's helicopter called "Air 5" was able to "toe-in" and bring the party out to Chantry in small groups. Chris and his wife, Joan, stayed at camp with a detailed fire plan for how to "shelter in place."
Chantry Flat evacuations were lifted by Wednesday evening and on Thursday we brought the animals home from the racetrack. Had we waited for the weekend, we could have received more volunteer help with trailering the animals. But Deb was committed to packing out the gear that was left behind at Sturtevant's, since many folks had driven here from Colorado. The incredible sales we enjoyed on Saturday from feeding the trapped hikers all went to the animal transport company so the weekend was a wash. But we are still here!
Hopefully the Forest Service will continue the major fuel clearance at Chantry that it started before fire broke out.
More info at SierraMadreNews.net »
Chantry Flat Road Closed
November 24th, 2007
Big Santa Anita Canyon Road, "The Road to Chantry Flat", will be closed Saturday & Sunday, November 24th & 25th. The road was closed by the Sierra Madre Police Department, who owns and controls the gate, siting high fire danger. However, the Angeles National Forest remains open. We will update here as we know more.
Sierra Madre Police Dept:
(626) 355-1414
Update: November 26th, 2007
The road is now open.
Angeles National Forest is Temporarily Closed
October 24th, 2007
The folowing is from a news release by the US Forest Service:
ARCADIA, Calif. - As a result of extreme fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, Angeles National Forest officials are implementing a forest closure, effective October 23, 2007. The closure will last until the extreme conditions subside.
While the closure is in effect, going into or being upon National Forest System lands, roads, or trails within the Angeles National Forest is not allowed. The closure will affect the use of all national forest recreational facilities, roads and hiking trails. Violators are subject to fines and/or imprisonment.
For further information about the closure or fires currently burning on the Angeles, contact the Fire Information Center at 626-821-6700.
As a result of the closure, all activities at the Pack Station, such as the Concert Series and the Moonlight Hike are cancelled for the weekend of October 27th & 28th. Stay tuned for more closure info.
Update: October 31st, 2007
Well, we spoke with our District Ranger and he said that because "we are expecting another wind event", the forest will be closed at least through the weekend of November 3rd & 4th.
Update: November 6th, 2007
According to the front desk at the Los Angeles River Ranger District, the Angeles National Forest will be reopen on Thursday, November 8th. Point of information: the reasons for the forest closure was that "resources" (that means firefighters) were spread thin helping with other fires and weather conditions were dangerous. This is not the case now, but the personnel may need a few days to catch up, so give the that time. Unless something else happens, Adams' Pack Station should be open for business on the weekend of November 10th & 11th. Please direct general forest questions to one of the following:
Update: November 8th, 2007
The Angeles National Forest and Chantry Flat are now open!
New Animals At The Pack Station
August 1, 2007
The Pack Station has added three new animals to its pack train. These are a little different from what we have been using. The first difference you might notice is their small size. No, these aren't miniature donkeys. Or you might notice the horns. No, these aren't horny donkeys. They aren't bearded, cloven-hoofed donkeys. They are goats.
Yes, that's right, pack goats! It's not a new concept. Goats have been used for packing and driving carts for centuries, although pack goats are definitely uncommon in the U.S. But a recent article in Hobby Farm Magazine claims that they are becoming all the rage. We have been thinking about packing with goats for almost a year, and an offering of free goats finally came to us.
Mark Woodyard, brother of our Dutch oven chef Eric, told us of some goats out in Rialto that needed a good home. By the way, it's likely that there are a lot of goats in Rialto in need of a good home. Anyway, Mark showed Sue and Greg the way to these particular goats who were running free on a large lot. Fortunately they brought a rope and managed to get a slip knot over their horns, one by one. They were surprisingly easy to get into Sue's pick-up truck, and within an hour the goats were on their way to the mountains.
Rich and Jason had prepared the pen in front of the barn for goats, adding a gate and welded wire mesh. Greg put more mesh in the big stall and Sue picked up a goat feeder from San Dimas Grain. Deb paid for it all. The goats very quickly made themselves at home, but the equine were afraid of them. Goats are used at The Racetrack to calm the horses, but our donkeys did not like the intruders. Fred the mule was especially nervous. Everything settled down within a couple of days.
So why pack goats? Well, first of all they can go anywhere a human can go, and then some. They follow along like dogs and don't need to be tethered at a stop or at camp. They will eat just about anything so you don't need to bring food for them. They don't impact the land any more than a family of deer passing through, and they comply with the Forest Service's "No Trace Concept" of overnight outfitting. Naturally, most of these attributes do not apply to our regular routine of packing. What we want goats for are the overnight tours we have planned for next year. Goats can carry the tents, sleeping bags and cooking gear, and they can just walk along with the people. We also plan to make them available to the cabin owners for fire clearance.
Pack goats, which are the same animal as dairy goats, can carry 25% of their body weight. A good sized goat weighs 160 lbs., so that's forty pounds of gear per goat! All the equipment necessary is available for purchase - sawbuck saddles, panniers, etc. - so we won't need to customize anything. The most work will be in training the goats. But they are smarter than we expected, and we should have a working team by next year.
Check out this link: www.highuintapackgoats.com for more info on pack goats and to see them in action. Check back here for photos of our goats.