Friends of Foresthill OHV Trails (FOH) UPDATE
3/30/2007
Yesterday March 29, we met with USFS Foresthill, FH, Rangers from 3-430 pm, and we met as a group at the FH Pizza shack from 530-730PM.
Committee reports.
Administration: FOH will organize as a legal entity most likely a 501c3 non-profit corporation. We need experienced professionals to help organize it. All Volunteers must check in with the FH ranger and wear yellow vests with designation OHV VOLUNTEER on the back when on the trails. Only listed OHV Volunteers will be allowed on the FH trails while the system is closed. We need donated yellow safety vests, please donate the vests and drop off at the FH ranger station. Once donated, FOH volunteers will label them. A web site is being developed for central FOH communications. The FOH interim board of directors was elected.
Trail maintenance: Volunteer trained sawyers (chain saw operators) will meet with Ranger Mark Lambert the week of April 16 and begin clearing the Foresthill OHV trails of tree and branch fall. Chain Saw training is offered to volunteers the weekend of April 14/15. Those interested in attending the chain saw training need to advise FOH now. Send your contact info to
friendsofforesthillohvtrails@gmail.com We will get you on the attendee list. There is room for 8 trainees. Even if you are an experienced sawyer, you must get this two day USFS certification training to help as a Volunteer sawyer on the FH OHV trails system. Follow on trail maintenance/trail repair work crew days will be scheduled in late April and early May for weekend trail maintenance and on some week days as well. A trail work schedule will be posted after the down trees are cleared. You do not need any training to volunteer to do trail work. Expect trail work days the weekends of April 21/22, April 28/29 and May weekends. There will be a May 26 memorial day trail maintenance event day at Surgarpine. We will hand out flyers about FOH and do trail work that Saturday.
Trail monitoring/assessment: A small group of FOH trail assessment volunteers will ride the trails with the sawyers the week of April 16 to identify immediate trail maintenance/repair work tasks for the follow on trail maintenance crews for the late April/early May trail work dates. Long term trail monitoring methods and procedures was also discussed.
Fundraising: There are three levels of activities; Federal, State and local grass roots. There are two grass roots fundraising events in planning; a Memorial Day ride event based at Morningstar and a June 16th Foresthill dinner, free style show and street fair. The June 16th event needs more volunteers and professional help with many items. At this time all groups can raise donation cash on their own, but we can not yet deliver cash to FH rangers till FOH becomes a legal non-profit entity and agreements are in place. However the FH ranger station can receive donated materials and supplies now. They need rock, gravel, pavers, chain saws, vests, safety gear, culverts, trail work tools and other materials. See the Facilities maintenance committee head to donate material supplies. FOH committees also need donated materials, supplies and services. Contact your committee heads or send emails to
friendsofforesthillohvtrails@gmail.com to donate.
Education: The education committee is busy organizing and planning support at both the Memorial Day and June 16 th events. WE have a brochure prepared and need donated paper and printing.
Facilities Maintenance: This group is focused on two primary goals at this time. Organize material supply donations and look for business donated services for trash pick up and restroom maintenance.
Long term planning: We discussed with the ranger the trail assessments needed to re-open the trails and trail closure review policies for next year. We also discussed trail repair, trail design and management.
SUMMARY: Great progress was made. Look for follow on committee reports and web site postings asking for your support and help in all areas. Look for a trail work day schedule. Spread the news, if we do the Volunteer work we have a good chance of seeing the trails re-open sooner rather then later. It's up to all of you. Donate and help out where you can. Every small effort and help counts big. Next FOH meeting is Thursday April 19 th at 6pm at the FH pizza Shack. Follow up committee meetings and event planning sub committee efforts are occurring regularly.
Thank you
Your FOH board and committee leaders.
This is the "official" minutes of the Foresthill meeting e-mailed to me @ 1pm.
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