Notes from tonight's NFH Meeting, led by NFH President Doug Gann:

NFH presented a series of zoom meetings about the Fires and how cabins are affected.  Here are some notes I took- the actual recording (with a link) and a power point should be avail in a few days and I will post it on the website:

Non-Use Status

The whole tract is in non-use status- if you get a bill, you should contact Nancy because for the non-use you should have no permit fee.  No camping or overnights are allowed while the forest closure is in place- even if your cabin is undamaged.  If your cabin was destroyed, the USFS should waive your fees but if your cabin is standing, you may have to ask for fee relief from Nancy.  

Rumors the Forest Service is trying to get rid of cabins

There has been a rumor that the USFS wants to end the program and with cabins being destroyed, they will use this as an opportunity to deny a rebuild.  We were assured that  this is not true at all- the USFS has an obligation to maintain this program and it has been re-affirmed by congress several times.  In fact, NSF has talked too Jeff Marsolais about rebuilding- he has said publicly that he will support rebuilding subject to safety- he wants to see the cabins rebuilt.  

Damage assessment and Property Clean up

BAER assessment- this is the Burned area assessment that takes a few weeks and is done by a multi jurisdictional team to assess the impact from the fire. It covers the extent of damage to the forest and reports (like soil impacts) will be on the Inciweb site specific things are completed.

Property clean up and the removal of hazardous materials and hazardous trees.  Permit holders must remove hazardous trees and the USFS generally removes hazard trees from the road.

On the cleanup- still no answer whether or not CalOES can clean up our lots.  Doug Gann said that historically, state programs have not cleaned up cabin properties- but the NFH also knew that El Dorado county and OES were talking with the USFS.

A question came up about foundations- the USFS will allow you to keep it while they are making the decision whether or not to allow you to rebuild.  If they don't grant approval to rebuild then you have to remove it.  If hey do allow you to rebuild, then the county will have to decide if your foundation is sound and can be rebuilt on.  This was helpful because we know that debris removal will probably occur before the USFS determines whether or not you can rebuild.

Rebuilding

Most likely, the decision to allow you to rebuild probably wont happen until the spring.  Then, once the decision is made, the USFS will give you a time frame to make a decision to rebuild.  If they ask if  you intend to rebuild, then you should say yes- this is not binding but if you dont say you want to rebuild, then they may not do the assessment and you will forfeit your permit.  Your lot then may become an in lieu of (ILO) lot.

If you dont want to rebuild, you can tell the USFS now, but that is not advisable.  Once you do it you can't get it back.  Also, the USFS wont release you from the permit until the lot is cleaned up and you have met all your obligations.

The authorization to rebuild will be conditional- will have to meet the regional guidelines.  Also, the plan will have to meet county building codes.  They recommended that big groups of cabin owners (Like all of us on Hwy 50 who have organized) should work with the county building department because you will need them to be flexible on certain requirements.  This is where a big group of owners if helpful.  For example- in CA, you need to have sprinkler systems.  This is and example of  something that can be waived if asked.

You will prob have to start rebuilding within 24 months of being approved- you dont need to have it done, but you do need to start rebuilding.  Also, insurance companies will typically  need you to start a rebuild within 24-36 months depending on your policies.

Examples

Donnell fire: Stanislaus, 9 cabin tracts burned.  Along the Sonora highway into bridgeport (similar to Hwy 50) over about a 10 mile stretch in August 2018.  Forest was closed from Aug 18- May 19 to the public--- hwy was open only to thru traffic but not the forest.  The next spring, as soon as the USFS could get in, they did the building determination- looking primarily at slope hazards.  They looked at 123 cabin lots plus campgrounds, group camps, and USFS structures.  This took about 45 days.  The public report showed that  45 of the 53 were approved for rebuilding, but  7 of 8 cabins had significant risk for rock slide.  They also looked at standing cabins to determine if they were safe to occupy.  However, 2 were now exposed to significant risk and they were not reauthorized to re-occupy.  They gave cabin owners a choice- to get a second opinion and suggest how to mitigate the danger,  or, accept an ILO lot in the area.  

Also, the USFS and County came together to give building guidelines for rebuild-prior to the fire, some cabins didn't even have water or electricity- several things were waived understanding that cabins are unique.  This was a great example of the County, USFS, and a big group of owners working together.  Bottom line if it is safe they should let you rebuild.

But, where the Donnell fire is a good example, there was the Cleveland fire- this was given as a bad example .   12 cabins that were destroyed 3 years ago and the district ranger became really restrictive on environmental hazards, denying the owners the ability to rebuild.  This is still under dispute. the NFH has the position that the USFS didnt do it right.

Other points

if you decide not to rebuild, you surrender your permit and your lot.  Your lot will become a ILO lot.T hey do not sell or re-issue it to the public.

Question about updated building guidliens- will the USFS allow for rebuilding according to better construction to harden against fires?  The region 5 guidelines were just changed last spring but they didn't really addrdess this.  They did say that the USFS prefers natural materials but that there is room in the policy for the ranger to approve things like fiber siding.  If you are in a historic tract, they might push harder for natural materials.  The rule is that if 2/3 of the tract was historic, then the historic guidelines apply, buf if you fall below the 2/3, then the tract is no longer historical.  A tract in Santa Ynez lost most of their historic cabins (like 17 out of 19) and they are now losing their historic designation.  Really a judgement call from the ranger.  This does make it easier to use modern materials.

NFH is giving free one year memberships for those who lost cabins from fire- they will send out an email in a week or so. If you are an existing member, then they will extend your membership one year.

NFH  relief fund- they are raising money to help community benefit in cabin tracts.  

Next steps- there will be some upcoming summits.  For folks that lost cabins in last years fires, they have done 3 follow up meetings and are planning the same with the victims of this years' fires.

On Oct 22 and 23rd, there will be a virtual NFH conference.  The Saturday's morning session is focused on things that happen after the fire- including how the forest returns. Even tho its really bleak right now, the forest will come back and may be really healthy and beautiful.  So hang on!