Category Archives: California

National Forests

Rim Fire Recovery Project Announced

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced the second phase of the Rim Fire recovery, Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will appear in the Federal Register December 6. The proposed action will include:

  • Salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction (29,648 aces).
  • Removal of hazard trees, salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction along Level 2 roads (369 miles).
  • Road reconstruction (327 miles) and road maintenance (164 miles) to ensure proper function to protect streams.
  • New road construction (approximately six miles) to allow for salvage removal and long-term access for future recovery activities.
  • Temporary road construction (22 miles) that will be decommissioned following completion of project activities.
  • Rock quarry sites (75 sites) to accommodate road needs.
  • Water sources (95 locations) for road reconstruction and maintenance as well as long-term resource needs.
  • Site Specific Forest Plan Amendments may be included.

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Big Bear Lake

Ring in 2014 at Big Bear with Torchlight Parade

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The holidays have come and gone, and New Year’s Eve is right around the corner! This year forget the noisy, crowded bars and ring in 2014 at Bear Mountain and Snow Summit for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience!

At Snow Summit, the annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade will begin at 7 p.m. The parade is free and open to all ages for viewing. It begins when over 200 staff and employees descend the mountain on skis and snowboards, each caring a torchlight. This amazing display illuminates the night sky and gives the mountain an astounding glow.  After the parade, onlookers are encouraged to join Big Bear Mountain Resorts to help ring in the New Year. Guests will have two parties to choose from this year, one at Snow Summit and one at Bear Mountain.

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State Parks

California State Parks Announces 150th Anniversary Annual Park Pass Program

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

California State Parks has introduced a new Annual Park Pass Program to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of State Parks. From the press release:

The Pass Program will include a variety of options for visitors, including a 150th Commemorative Pass, the Surf Explorer pass, the Off-Highway Vehicle pass, a Historian Passport pass, and the California Park Experience day-use pass. The new passes will be available to purchase starting today.

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National Forests, National Parks

Record of Decision available for Mariposa Grove Plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Park Service (NPS) at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Record of Decision for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement (Mariposa Grove Final EIS) was approved by the Regional Director on December 10, 2013. The Record of Decision (ROD) formally selects Alternative 2, South Entrance Hub for implementation. Alternative 2 was identified as the park’s Preferred Alternative in the October 2013 Mariposa Grove Final EIS. The Selected Action in the Record of Decision is substantially the same as described for Alternative 2 in the Final EIS.

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National Forests

National Park Service Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Park Service has released the Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan, which describes what wildland fire management leaders consider the best course of action to meet the NPS mission, and how it can be effectively implemented.

The strategic goals and objectives contained in this plan articulate NPS’s best judgment of where to spend our time and attention to assure success. All levels of the NPS Wildland Fire Program will be involved in developing and maintaining a detailed implementation plan addressing the specific strategies and tactics to achieve the goals and objectives. Many components of this plan are multifaceted and complex. Therefore, prioritization of goals and objectives as well as the development of implementation strategies will require additional planning and commitment.

You can get a copy of the Draft Wildland Fire Strategic Plan HERE.