Rubicon Trail Little Sluice (meeting)

I really enjoyed the public meeting tonight and I’m sure there will be a lot of posts about it. We filled up the room pretty much with about 25 folks speaking up. Tom Celio from Eldo County DOT said he had about 70 emails also (submitted testimony). I was very proud of everyone who was there.

Our passion and dedication to the trail shown through like a bright light, even if we all didn't agree on exactly what to with Little Sluice -- to blow or not to blow it.


However, the comment was made that it is turning out to be about 7 to 1 or so (unofficial) for leaving the box alone. Further, it was pretty unanimous that we need a plan before we do anything serious – a plan we are all part of. Co-Trail Boss Bebe did an awesome job presenting good stuff about what FOTR can do and has done.  She made it clear that FOTR fixes anything that is in need of attention on the Rubicon Trail, and has proven this for 9 years.

There was a lot of support for fixing the real problems at Little Sluice – and those are mostly people problems and bad behaviors. Things that need to be managed (fixed) still include petroleum issues and spills, erosion/sedimentation, and sanitation. FOTR can fix all these with a little help from our partners in the feds, the Rubicon Trail Foundation, and the County.  This is not rocket science -- this is commitment, persistence and common sense.

Several businesses (like http://www.mfs-ca.com/ ) and the "Save the Sluice" group made it clear that they are going to be on the trail, at Little Sluice, doing on-the-ground management of behaivour  and providing education on issues at the "box" to include cleaning up messes and spills.  Now THAT is dedication.

The Rubicon Trail Foundation supported having a solid, integrated plan in place to deal with the concentrated use at Little Sluice, and of course reaffirmed their commitment to support Friends of the Rubicon.

Tom Celio was impressed with our dedication, consideration and respect for each other, as well as our commitment to the trail.  He said the next step was for this info (and the email testimony) to be packaged up and given to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors who will make important decisions like this one about the Rubicon Trail.  I trust Tom to give a good view of our side/testimony to the Board.
You can still email in your comments if you want. tcelio@co.el-dorado.ca.us

Wow, thanks to all who could be there and all who sent support (or email testimony) in their own way.

FOTR Rocks.
Just one man’s opinion and notes,

Del

Rubicon Trail Update from Trail Boss; 10/8/08

Today was the monthly meeting of the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC) and here are some highlights from my notes:

1. 
   Bridges on the trail: with grant money and leadership from the great folks at the Dept. of Transportation in Eldorado County (DOT), we are in progress of getting two bridges on the trail. One at Ellis Creek and one at Gerle Creek (Wentworth Springs Road). These will prevent future closures and environmental issues with both these critical watersheds. It will be summer of 2010 before we see these constructed, but the good news is that everyone is on board and excited about having bridges to help us keep our trail open and healthy. Our input will be asked for as the design ideas come forward.
   
2. US Geological Survey folks are out on the trail right now doing some analysis of future maintenance jobs that need to be done to keep our trail in good shape. They are doing this under guidance from Eldo County, so we hope to have a good report and what all we'll be doing these next two summers.
   
3. Loon Lake Toilet: the CXT (big vault pre-fab) toilet is set to be installed in the next week or so at Loon Lake (staging area). The hole is prepared and ready to accept the new toilet system. Again, we are using grant money and the guidance and supervision of the good folks at Eldo County DOT.
   
4. USFS Fire Restrictions have been lifted on the Forest – so camp fires are ok now. Go prepared if you go up; frost is heavy in the mornings. J
   

Before turkey day I'll probably be checking for a good date for our Spring FOTR meeting (most likely February). More on this soon, but in case you're wondering, yes, for sure, I'll be happy to continue as your Trail Boss. We'll have the normal annual election at the spring meeting. 2009 promises to be an awesome year for Friends of the Rubicon. For more on the Rubicon Trail, visit http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/rubicon.htm

Del