Spring 2010

Winter's Over, Get Back to the Canyon!
Join NFARA for its second annual kick-off to spring event on May 1, 7 p.m. at the Dutch Flat Community Center, 933 Stockton Street.

The event will feature a special showing of the KVIE documentary, Above the American. This film takes you on an aerial tour of one of California's most picturesque waterways. The journey begins at the confluence with the Sacramento River and travels the North, Middle and South Forks of the American River. Included in the film are Old West history, wildlife, Native American artifacts, and a thrilling ride down some of America's most famous whitewater rapids. Producer Kelly Peterson of KVIE Channel 6 will introduce the film and present background on the making of the film.

In addition to the film, we’ll have live music by local favorite group, Down Home. NFARA board members will give updates on current projects and recent successes. This is a great opportunity to learn about NFARA, meet board members and discover more about the area's spectacular natural resources. There will plenty of time for questions and answers, and for socializing.

This event is free and open to the public, with home-made desserts and beverages.

Tahoe National Forest Travel Management Plan
In September 2008, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, DEIS, was issued for Tahoe National Forest, TNF, Travel Management Plan. TNF received over 7,000 public comments. Several of those comments questioned some of the data TNF was using. TNF staff went back to older NEPA (National Environmental Planning Act) documents to verify road and trail status decisions. A review of those earlier decisions resulted in a revision of the numbers in the Travel Management Analysis regarding system roads and trails and unauthorized roads and trails. Some roads and trails thought to be open had actually been closed, some thought to be closed had documentation that they are open to motorized travel. TNF staff also reviewed the current status of roads and trails that cross private property and found that some did not have valid rights-of-way; this is also being corrected in the analysis.

A Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement, SDEIS, will be released later this winter so the public will have the opportunity to comment on the new information. There will be a 45-day comment period once the SDEIS is released.

For more information, contact Ann Westling, Tahoe National Forest Public Affairs Officer, (530) 478-6205.

NFARA is a public nonprofit volunteer organization formed to promote and preserve the wild, scenic and cultural heritage within the watershed of the North Fork of the American River. For further information on NFARA’S goals and activities contact Jim Ricker at 530-389-8344 or email: jvricker@prince-ricker.net