Category Archives: California

National Forests

Will the judgement against Adventure Pass Fees cause problems for our local National Forests? #AdventurePassFees

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

In 1996 Congress authorized national forests through the Federal Lands Recreation Act (REA) to enact recreation fees that would generate revenue which would be funneled directly into forest maintenance plans. As the federal budget has continued to hack and slash at service for America (yet, oddly continues to provide billions in aid to people who don’t like us) the U.S. Forest Service has been sorely pressed to come up with funding to make investments to infrastructure and do necessary repairs – especially to those forests that butt up against urban areas and which see heavy traffic.

Many forests adopted the fees and began programs like the Adventure Pass program, which charged forest visitors for access to the lands which, by law, we’re supposed to have free access to.

A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Forest Service can no longer charge visitors who just want to hike or bike on federal land. The USFS can only charge people for the use of amenities – bathrooms, developed parking lots, campgrounds, and picnic tables.

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National Forests, National Parks

Yosemite – Invasion of the Drones

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Yosemite has been invaded by drones.  Small, unmanned machines that fly through the air capturing some pretty epic footage of one of America’s great National Parks.  The National Park Service is none too keen on the GoPro shuttles, and has claimed that they’re illegal:

“…Yosemite National Park advises visitors that the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) are prohibited within park boundaries due to regulations outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Specifically, the use of drones within the park boundaries is illegal under all circumstances. Thirty Six CFR 2.17(a)(3) states, “delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit” is illegal. This applies to drones of all shapes and sizes…”

While I’m not a big fan of having my visit interrupted by a noisy little robot, I’m not so sure that HOW Yosemite is going about it is correct.  I blame the NPS – the same guys who shut Americans out of America’s National Parks last year – and their lack of legal experience.

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National Forests

Portrait of a Giant Sequoia… #NGM

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Imagine if you will, taking a picture of a tree.  Get every branch from the base to the tip in the picture.

Sounds easy, right?

Now imagine that the tree is 3,200 years old, 247 feet tall, has two billion needles and is continuing to grow even as you look at it.  All of a sudden, that little iPhone you’ve got in your pocket just isn’t going to cut it.

The Giant Sequoias only grow in Northern California, and they only grow in one tiny little area: the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.  One of the oldest and largest trees growing there is the President.  It’s 247 feet tall, sports a 27 foot diameter trunk (which is svelte compared to two of other local trees), and has the largest crown of any of the Giant Sequoias in the grove.

So how hard can it be to take a picture of a tree?  It’s not like it’s going to wander off or anything, right?  Well, this particular tree is so massive that it’s never been photographed in it’s entirety.  Ever.

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State Parks

California State Historical Resources Commission To Consider Twelve Properties for Action

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Next week, the California State Historical Resources Commission will consider six nominations for federal historic designation, and six nominations for state historic designation. Nominations and photographs of properties under consideration are available at http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24368.

The Commission will meet next Tuesday, April 22 at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiln Room at Asilomar Conference Center, 800 Asilomar Avenue in Pacific Grove, California.

National Register of Historic Places nominations scheduled for action include:

Century 21 Theater San Jose Santa Clara County

An early and and notable example of a Cinerama-type theater designed by noted Bay Area architect Vincent G. Raney. The Century 21 Theater embodies the distinctive characteristics of the mid-century modernist style and suburban roadside architecture popular during the 1960s. This modernist landmark in San Jose is one of the best surviving examples of the freestanding dome type theater remaining in California. Continue reading →

State Parks

California State Parks Seeks Public Input Regarding Equestrian Lessons and Trail Riding Concession at Will Rogers SHP

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California State Parks will accept public comment regarding the future equestrian lessons and trail riding concession operations at Will Rogers State Historic Park (SHP) on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rotunda of the Main Stables at Will Rogers SHP, 1501 Will Rogers Park Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Will Rogers SHP is located in the Pacific Palisades community within the City of Los Angeles.

The current equestrian services at Will Rogers SHP are provided by a private concessionaire through an expired concession contract on holdover status. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit public input and ideas for the development of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new contract. The RFP will attract bids from operators who will continue the equestrian lessons and trail rides a new contract. The RFP will satisfy California statutory requirements for concession contracts to be subject to a competitive bid process.

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