I got this from Mike B. in Fir Tract. It is still unclear if the OES program will be available for our lots- but this makes it a little more clear. As discussed last night in the meeting, we are all waiting to hear from the USFS about cleanup requirements. If we are ultimately responsible, Tony F. recommended we work together as a tract to bid the job. In the meantime, I am sharing this email:

To all of Fir Tract,

This is an email from Nancy Platt regarding the cleanup process that we are awaiting instruction on....
 

The best source of information for recreation residence permit holders is the Eldorado National Forest website, Caldor Fire Recovery page .  The link is  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/home/?cid=FSEPRD952172  Taking a look at this website frequently for updates is a good idea, especially the FAQs.   

 

Under TOPICS, if you click Recreation Residence Clean-Up and Debris Removal,  it says “Cabin owners are responsible for debris removal from recreation residences that burned” which reflects clause X from the recreation residence special use permits.  BAER teams have been working hard within the fire area to evaluate fire impacts including in the recreation residence tracts. To find out more about the work of BAER teams see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7842/ which is posted on the main ENF webpage.  The BAER report is expected soon and that information will be helpful to determine some of the details of what is needed for the clean-up.  We realize cabin permit holders are anxious for more details about clean-up and we are working hard to be able to provide them.  As soon as possible more details will be posted on the ENF webpage (see links in this email).

 

The El Dorado County Caldor Fire Recovery website cleanup information is addressed to private property owners in El Dorado County.  The Cal OES cleanup program is specific to private property owners who have primary residences destroyed by the Caldor Fire.  Recreation residences are secondary (vacation) homes and special use permit holders are renters on federal land. 

 

As you may know, cabin owners were responsible for the cost of their lot cleanup in the case of the 70 recreation residences destroyed in the Creek Fire at Huntington Lake on the Sierra National Forest last year.  If federal funds were to pay for cleanup for recreation residence permit holders on the Eldorado National Forest, that would be unprecedented.  The best thing to do right now is to keep an eye on the ENF website for information, specifically to see if there will be any changes to this long standing policy.  We are grateful for your patience.

 

Best Regards,

 

Forest Service Shield

Nancy Platt
Recreation Special Uses

Letter from Nancy Platt 10/12/21

Hello Recreation Residence Permit Holders,

 

Starting off, I want to give accolades to your Tract Contacts who have made these communications with you all possible.  With their assistance, the count of cabins lost on the Eldorado National Forest to the Caldor Fire is confirmed at 143.  In addition sadly, was the loss of Our Lady of the Sierra Church on the north side of Highway 50 across from Camp Sacramento, which was also under a Forest Service special use permit.

 

Lot cleanup and next steps are naturally on everyone’s mind.  Nothing is simple though, when there are many government agencies to coordinate with, and many laws to comply with, including those regarding hazardous waste.

 

The Forest Service continues to work diligently with federal, state and local officials regarding the cleanup process, specific to cabin permit holders.  More information is expected very soon and will be shared when it becomes available on the Caldor Fire Recovery page on the Eldorado National Forest (ENF) website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado/  Click the Caldor Fire Recovery page link, found under “Features” as you scroll down to the bottom half of the home screen.  Scroll down the Caldor Fire Recovery page to “Topics”.  Especially recommended are the FAQs.

 

When visiting the ENF website I encourage everyone to continue to follow what is going on with the Caldor Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7801/  Over 1000 firefighters are still out there putting out hot spots and doing fire suppression repair.  The Burned Area Emergency Restoration (BAER) team is hard at work as well  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7842/66356/   The 10/1/2021 press release about what Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais expects for the future of the Caldor Fire Closure area may also be of interest.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD957759

  

As a reminder, your cabin operation & maintenance plan (part of your special use permit) requires you to obtain written permission from the Forest Service prior to maintenance/repairs including Caldor Fire lot cleanup (see your O&M plan, top of page 2).  Many are asking if they should complete the El Dorado County Right of Entry (ROE) form allowing Cal OES to do cleanup on their lot.  There is no need for cabin permit holders to complete the Right of Entry form.  By law the Cal OES cleanup program is specific to private property owners who have primary residences destroyed by the Caldor Fire.  Recreation residences are secondary (vacation) homes and special use permit holders are renters on federal land (not land owners) and do not qualify for this state program.  As previously mentioned, the Forest Service continues to work diligently with federal, state and local officials regarding the cleanup process specific to cabin permit holders. 

 

Forest Service written permission is also required prior to doing erosion control work on National Forest lands.  The BAER teams identify immediate needs down to details such as the specific type of straw wattles to be used.  For example, some kinds of wattles have plastic mesh that can actually be harmful to wildlife!  The BAER teams are out every day addressing immediate needs. (See the link above to learn more about BAER)  Separate fire suppression repair teams are also mitigating erosion potential by repairing and restoring dozer lines and associated fire suppression lines, staging areas, etc. Their work is about 50% done. 

 

The best way cabin permit holders can help is to stay informed with information from the Eldorado National Forest website while waiting for instructions on lot cleanup:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/home/?cid=FSEPRD952172  Scroll down to the “Topics” section and click the button of interest.

 

Check with your tract contact or call the Rec Residence phone 530-647-5354 (listed at the top of your cabin O&M Plan face page) if you have a question. 

 

Rest assured, the Forest Service is working hard to set the stage for lot cleanup to go efficiently and be done properly.  We too are anxious to get started, so stay tuned!

 

Forest Service Shield

Nancy Platt
Recreation Special Uses

Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest

Placerville Ranger District

p: 530-647-5354
nancy.platt@usda.gov

4260 Eight Mile Road
Camino, CA 95709
www.fs.fed.us
USDA LogoForest Service TwitterUSDA Facebook

Caring for the land and serving people

Letter from Scot Rogers 10/19/21

Dear Permittee,

 

I hope that you have had some time to visit your lot over the past few weeks.  I am truly sorry for your loss.

 

With impending significant weather moving into the Caldor Fire area this week, our emergency crews are shifting towards storm preparation work which includes emergency erosion stabilization and mitigations to hazardous waste with a potential to impact watershed.  The Eldorado National Forest is going to take emergency action to abate releases, or threats of releases, of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants from the parcel where your permitted cabin was authorized on National Forest System land. 

 

Our Regional Office has funded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to engage in the removal of hazardous waste, known as Phase 1 response.  This is official notification that the EPA will immediately mobilize their personnel and contractors starting as early as October 19th to begin the waste removal.  I expect a minimal amount of disturbance to your permitted site or to your private property.  Only hazardous waste that is readily apparent from a visual inspection will be removed.  Typical items included in Phase 1 are paint containers, fuels, bulk asbestos containing materials, electronic waste, and household cleaning products.  While you are legally obligated to comply with all applicable laws pursuant to the terms of your special use permit, including the abatement of releases of hazardous substances on and from your permitted parcel, the emergency nature of this situation and the need to take action before more winter storms arrive is prompting the Forest Service to take immediate action in your stead to mitigate the environmental threat posed by these materials.   

 

Phase 2 constitutes the full removal of any remaining debris after Phase 1.  I will notify you separately of procedures and plans for that process once Phase 1 is complete, which will include an option for you to perform the debris removal yourself.   You may use this notification letter to inform your insurance carrier of the Forest Service request, however the United States will not accept assignments of insurance coverage until the parcels have been assessed as cleaned to an unrestricted use status. Finally, I will provide information to you on the process of rebuilding your cabin in the near future. 

 

Thank you for your understanding of the immediate needs.   We will be reaching out to you with this information via email, phone, and certified mail in order to best attempt to notify you of this action.  Again, I am very sorry for your loss and hope to continue to engage with you as we all attempt to recover from the Caldor Fire.  If you have questions regarding this process, Phase 2, or other issues related to your permit, please contact Nancy Platt, Placerville District Special Uses Administrator, at 530-647-5330 or Nancy.platt@usda.gov.

 

Regards,

 

Scot

 

 

 

 

Forest Service Shield

Scot Rogers
District Ranger

Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest, Placerville Ranger District

p: 530-647-5301

c: 530-363-6623

scot.rogers@usda.gov

4260 Eight Mile Road

Camino, CA 95709

www.fs.fed.us
USDA LogoForest Service TwitterUSDA Facebook