Trail News - August '96

New Meeting Day -- 2nd Wednesday of the Month

Our next meeting will by on September 11th at 6 PM will be at the Courthouse Cafe.

Down and Up Rucka-Chuck Fun Run -- Sunday, September 22

The entry forms are rolling in for Charlie and Nanci's no-cost 25K and 50K Fun Run from Foresthill down the California St. Section of the Western States Trail to Rucka-Chuck and back. Runners are used to paying for runs like this and hopefully most will instead make a donation to the Save No-Hands Bridge bucket on race day. One person already sent in a contribution, said they couldn't run this year, but wanted to contribute anyway.

The $0 entry fee doesn't mean that the quality of the event will suffer. Aid stations will be there and the results will be recorded and published in the "Ultra Runner" magazine. There will even be awards (of sorts). Many members of the FTA enjoyed helping out or running last year. Charlie will be at the meeting on 9/11 to let us know what he needs help with this year or if you can't come to the meeting, you can call him at 367-2981. One way we can help make the aid stations memorable is with contributions of fruit, potatoes or a dessert (bring to Sherri Osborn's the night before or to the start of the run at 6:45 AM). Good food is something runners really appreciate and will come back for year after year. There will be a barbecue after the run and everyone is welcome.

BLM Proposed Land Sale

The FTA wrote a letter asking BLM to work with us to examine the parcels proposed for sale to determine if there are existing trails or logging/skid roads that are used as trails on them and if so to consider granting easements for the trails before the land is sold. Some 2800 acres on the Divide may be sold. The Western States Trail Foundation, after looking at the property near Michigan Bluff which the Western States trail goes right through, also wrote a letter asking that these parcels remain public under Federal ownership to protect the quality of and access to the Western States Trail. We need your help looking at the other parcels proposed for sale so that if there are trails there so we can start working to save them now. The Giant Gap trail may go through one of the parcels. Enclosed is a list of the parcels and a map showing the locations. Please contact Sherri Osborn (367-3928) if you are familiar with any trails or other historical or ecological values on these properties.

New Members - Welcome and Thank You for Supporting the Trails

The Beress family (Wendy, Jennifer-13, Rashel - 10, Debra - 8 and David - 5) - interests are running and hiking

Geri and George Grant (of Grant's Hardware) - main interest is hiking. They know a lot about the area.

Skip Lauderbaugh - new to the area, has done trail work before. Enjoys hiking and biking.

Sue Rice - main interests are hiking and long walks.

Jill Pass renewed her family's membership.

Board Elections - September 11th

We are going to go ahead and hold elections for board positions early. Gala Argent has indicated that she is overwhelmed with other obligations and is not going to seek a board position next year. Currently the candidates are Sherri Osborn for President, Stephanie Williams (who now can attend meetings since they are on Wednesday) for Vice President , Sue Hodge for Secretary and Mike Winslow for Treasurer. If there is anyone else out there who has been thinking being on the board might be interesting, please call Sherri (367-3918) or speak up at the next meeting because we'd love to have more new blood. If no one else volunteers before September 11th, we will have the elections at the meeting that evening.

Next Youth Outing -- Sugar Pine Lake, Friday September 13th after school at 2:00 PM

Ready, Set, Re-org

We're scrambling around trying to fill the void left by the Clarke's who have had to put everything on hold for health reasons. At the last meeting we discussed possibly redistributing some of the tasks so that more people can be involved and hopefully no one will feel overwhelmed. Please look over the following list and see if there is a project or role you'd be interested in taking on.
Brochures update the FTA brochure and distribute to the library, newspapers, Chamber of Commerce
Forum meetings attend meeting on the 1st Monday of the month, give a report for the FTA, represent trail interests and keep us informed of issues that will effect us
Community Plan Team attend meetings on the 4th Thursday of the month, work on goals and a trail plan
FOWSTA Meetings Attend Friends of the Western States Trail meetings to coordinate efforts, report back
Spokesperson Occasionally represent the FTA at political or other events
Photo Album take pictures at FTA outings, collect pictures from other members and build a photo album
Trail Maintenance line up monthly projects for us to work on; keep track of training materials and tools
Trail Signs lead an effort to prioritize, acquire and install new trail signs
Youth Outings plan and lead a monthly trail outing for kids or families
MembershipKeep a list of members, generate mailing labels each month, report new members at meeting and in the newsletter
Recruit Members Follow up on requests for information, recruit new members at community events
Letter WriterWrite thank you, comment and request letters (2 -3 /month)
Meeting RecorderRecord the meeting, transcribe minutes or write a summary for the newsletter
NewsletterWrite the newsletter, including contributions from other members
MapsOrganize and keep our collection of maps, work on new trail maps
Web SiteMaintain our web site, updating newsletter, calendar, meeting agenda, new maps and info
E-mailRead the FTA e-mail, answer or forward messages as appropriate
Adopt an EventChoose one of the following events and make it your project to either sponsor or coordinate volunteers from the FTA -- Western Jamboree, Down and Up the Rucka-Chuck, Snow Play Day, Sled Dog Races, Christmas Party, New Years Day CA St Run, Cool Canyon Crawl, Cool Mountain Bike Race, California Trails Day, WS Memorial Day Training Camp, WS Fun Ride, Confluence Festival, 4th of July Parade/Booth, WS 100 Mile Run, Tevis
Adopt a TrailPick a particular trail, scout it and do minor maintenance regularly, report any problems
New TrailsPick one of the new trail projects (8-mile trail, Hansen's, Gas Canyon) and drive progress
HistorianCollect historical information about the Foresthill Divide, write articles for the newsletter
TreasurerHandle the money, report on status at meetings
User Group ContactBe an information resource for a particular user group - hikers, equestrians, bikers, runners, etc. Answer questions from e-mail or other sources
Legal ResourceAnswer questions about legal issues
SurveyorWe need one
OtherPlease step forward if there is something you'd like the FTA to do, especially if you'd like to lead it

NOTICE OF DECISION (CA 36923FD)

Proposed Exchange of Land in Placer County, CA

UNITED STATES DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Land Management,
Folsom Resource Area, 63 Natoma St., Folsom CA 95603

Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management is considering a proposal to exchange federal land in Placer County and has determined the following described tracts to be suitable for disposal by exchange provided that no parcel contains rare, threatened or endangered species of plants or animals, cultural or historical resources of National Register quality or is opposed by the local community for disposal. Based on the results of the discussions at the Foresthill Forum on July 15, 1996, this exchange proposal will include the goal of providing property for a community cemetery near Foresthill, California using the land exchange process to provide the needed property in a location that is acceptable to the community. This exchange is being conducted pursuant to Section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716), as amended:

Selected Federal Land (Mt. Diablo Meridian)
Note: Info in last 4 columns from FTA (may not be correct)

Township Range Section Description Placer County Book - Page Acres Location Id on Map
13N 9E 1 MS 2653 A
13N 10E 6 MS 3058 258-17 30 Spring Garden Rd. B
14N 9E 25 lot 5, NW1/4SW1/4 72-35 40 Big John Hill C
14N 10E 2 lots 1,2,6, SE1/4NE1/4, SE1/4 240 D
14N 10E 3 lots 17,19,20,21 64-30-10,11 40.5 Prospect HillE
14N 10E 5 lots 13,16, SE1/4SE1/4 64-08 70 Kings Hill Rd F
14N 10E 14 lots 3, NW1/4SW1/4 64-09 80 Blackhawk Canyon,way down Church St. G
14N 10E 15 S1/2 64-09-02 320 Third Brushy Cyn H
14N 10E 20 SW1/4 64-08-10 160 Mexican Gulch I
14N 10E 22 lots 9,10,11,12,13,14, NE1/4, E1/2NW1/4, SW1/4NW1/4, E1/2SW1/4 64-09-14 520 Mt. Pleasant Cyn Keystone. Mine Portuguese Point J
14N 10E 25 lots 4, 10 7-22-09 12.1 Bath Rd. K
14N 10E 26 por of lot 10 7-19-03 11.16 Church St.in FH *Proposed Cemetery L
14N 10E 33 MS 787 258-12-01 47.2 Spring Garden Rd M
14N 10E 36 lots 6, 7, 8, 9 7-24 Mosquito Ridge Rd N
14N 11E 15 lots 1,2,3,12, S1/2 of lot 5, S1/2 of lot 6 64-18-03 68, 40 Chicken Hawk Rd 0, P
14N 11E 21 lots 2,3,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 14,15 64-14 Gorman Ranch Rd Michigan Bluff Q
15N 9E 33 MS 3221 R
15N 10E 14 N1/2NE1/4 63-10-12 80 S
15N 10E 16 W1/2NW1/4 63-21 80 T
15N 10E 23 S1/2S1/2NE1/4, N1/2SE1/4, SW1/4 SE1/4, NW1/4SE1/4SE1/4 63-21 200 Iowa Hill & Elliott Ranch Rd U
15N 10E 26 lots 1,2,11, MS 2339 64-03 Indian Creek, Big Dipper Rd. V
15N 10E 33 por of NW1/4 64-21 10 Iowa Hill, Big Dipper W
15N 10E 34 federal tracts in sec. 64-03 320 Big Dipper RdX
15N 10E 35 W1/2NE1/4 64-03 80 Big Dipper Rd, Shirt Tail Cyn Y
15N 11E 32 NW1/4NE1/4 40 Z

In exchange for federal land, the United States is proposing to acquire private land located on rivers such as the North and South Fork of the American River, Cosumnes River, Mokelumne River and the Merced River.

Private riverfront property being considered for acquisition by the United States has significant value for scenic quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and/or recreation. Public land considered for disposal are difficult and uneconomical to manage in federal ownership. This action is considered to be in the public interest. A copy of the decision may be obtained by contacting BLM's Folsom Resource Area office at the above address or by calling (916) 985-4474.

Interested parties may submit written objections, concerns, or comments by specific legal description to the Area Manager, Folsom Resource Area at the above address; they must be received within 45 days from the date of this notice.

This is the second comment period concerning these parcels. The were the subject of the Foresthill Forum which provided local citizens, and elected officials an opportunity to discuss and comment on this exchange proposal.

For additional information contact D.K. Swichard at the above address or by phone at (916) 985-4474.

Dated: 7/19/96, D.K. Swickard, Area Manager

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Last modified: Friday, 06-Sep-96 08:05:45 PDT