Butte Fire Debris Removal Update
Debris removal work continues in the western and central Jesus Maria areas as well as in the Old Gulch, Wendell, and Moke Hill areas. Twelve debris removal crews are now in the field. Seventeen sites of the 598 properties in the debris removal team have now been cleaned. Three erosion control crews are now engaged in actions to control erosion and runoff concerns, pre-debris removal.
State and Federal EPA representatives have reported the removal of household hazardous waste materials from 508 properties throughout the damaged areas. Air and soil continue to be sampled to ensure contaminants are contained, with no airborne contaminants detected to date. Residents and workers continue to be cautioned as to the traffic risks associated with the number and types of vehicles in these areas. Long range debris removal schedules are not yet available for specific properties, although more accurate estimates should be available in the coming weeks.
Residents are reminded that the deadline for signing up for the State/County debris removal program is November 6, 2015. Detailed information is now available for those interested in self-certification of the debris removal from their property if they are not participants in the State/County program.
Have a good weekend.
Jason Boetzer, REHS
Environmental Management Agency Administrator
Director of Environmental Health/Air Pollution Control Officer
Calaveras County Environmental Health Department
891 Mountain Ranch Rd.
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-6399
Butte Fire Fundraiser Happening Oct. 22
Anne Platt on TSPN TV News October 5, 2015 (1 of 2)
CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital, Anne Platt talks about the hospital's role in the Butte-Amador Fire. 1 of 2
Anne Platt on TSPN TV News October 5th, 2015 (2 of 2)
CEO of Sutter Amador Hospital, Anne Platt talks about the hospital's role in the Butte-Amador Fire. 2 of 2
AWA Rejects Flawed Petition From Ratepayers Protection Alliance
4th Annual Chowda Chomp Sunday November 1st at Armory Hall in Volcano
Looking for Craft Booths and Chowder Entries for this year’s Volcano Chowda Chomp!
Come to Volcano’s Armory Hall on Sunday, November 1st for the Fourth Annual Chowda Chomp. Private and commercial competitors from local homes and restaurants will serve up their favorite chowder for tasting and voting.
The Chomp begins at 11 a.m. and the tasting (and eating) continues until 2 p.m., with awards announced at 3 p.m. Last year, the Chowda Chomp attracted more than 500 people who enjoyed great chowder, good fellowship, great music and an all-around fine afternoon.
This year promises the same: crisp fall weather, incredible chowders of all kinds, local arts and crafts vendors, good fellowship and a delightful day at Armory Hall. The event is sponsored by the Volcano Community Association and the Volcano Union Inn + Pub. The cost is $5 per person. For questions, please call 209-296-7711.
The weather is predicted to be bright and dry, and this year several tasting stations and local arts and crafts vendors will set up inside the Armory Hall. Chowders of all kinds will be available for tasting: clam chowder of course can be expected, but corn chowder, seafood chowders, and recipes of all kinds will be there for tasting.
Proceeds support the Volcano Community Association Scholarship Fund, which every year provides financial support the Volcano high school graduates who will continue their education at an accredited university, college or trade school, or in military service.
In nearly 20 years of service, more than a dozen young women and men from Volcano have received support for their education beyond high school from the VCA Scholarship Fund. Several yearly community events provide financial support for the fund.
Armory Hall is located in the center of Volcano, on the corner of Consolation and Emigrant streets, just across from the Union Inn + Pub. It is a century-old community hall that was completely renovated four years ago into a 21st-century facility designed to serve hundreds of guests at a time. Armory Hall is fully ADA compliant and ADA parking is provided.
For more information, call the Ed Tracey at Volcano Union Inn + Pub at 209-296-7711.
USDA Offers Help to Fire-Affected Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires in Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington State that USDA has programs to assist with their recovery efforts.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist farmers and ranchers who lost livestock, grazing land, fences or eligible trees, bushes and vines as a result of a natural disaster. FSA administers a suite of safety-net programs to help producers recover from eligible losses, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, theEmergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program.
In addition, the FSA Emergency Conservation Program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Producers located in counties that received a primary or contiguous disaster designation are eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Compensation is also available to producers who purchased coverage through theNoninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which protects non-insurable crops against natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses or prevented planting.
“Wildfires have caused devastating losses for many farmers and ranchers,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “Over the past several years, wildfires have increased in severity, intensity and cost as the fire season has grown longer, and drought and increased temperatures contribute to dangerous conditions. Natural disasters such as wildfires are unavoidable, but USDA has strong safety-net programs to help producers get back on their feet.”
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can assist producers with damaged grazing land as well as farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who find themselves in emergency situations caused by natural disasters. The NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance to producers who agree to defer grazing on damaged land for two years. In the event that presidentially declared natural disasters, such as wildfires, lead to imminent threats to life and property, NRCS can assist local government sponsors with the cost of implementing conservation practices to address natural resource concerns and hazards through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
“After natural disasters such as wildfires, it is critical that farmers, ranchers and forestland owners have financial and technical resources available to protect their natural resources and operations,” said NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “Conservation practices protect the land and aid recovery, but can build the natural resource base and may help mitigate loss in future events.”
Farmers and ranchers with coverage through the federal crop insurance program administered by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) should contact their crop insurance agent to discuss losses due to fire or other natural causes of loss. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.
When wildfires destroy or severely damage residential property, Rural Development (RD) can assist with providing priority hardship application processing for single family housing. Under a disaster designation, RD can issue a priority letter for next available multi-family housing units. RD also provides low-interest loans to community facilities, water environmental programs, businesses and cooperatives and to rural utilities.
For the first time in its 110-year history, the Forest Service, part of USDA, is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation's wildfires.
Today, fire seasons are 78 days longer than in the 1970s. Since 2000, at least 10 states have had their largest fires on record. This year, there have been more than 46,000 fires. Increasing development near forest boundaries also drives up costs, as more than 46 million homes and more than 70,000 communities are at risk from wildfire in the United States.
Visit http://go.usa.gov/3eDeF to learn more about USDA disaster preparedness and response. For more information on USDA disaster assistance programs, please contact your local USDA Service Center. To find your local USDA Service Center go to http://offices.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
Plaid Friday in Amador is Back!
Plaid Friday in Amador is Back...
...and we are ready for holiday joy!
First things first. Yes, this is an email about being sent in July about holiday event preparations.
As many of you know, Plaid Friday went county wide in 2014 and the response was thrilling! In preparation for our fourth year we've upped our game and have our own website to inform both customers and business owners alike. It will be the central location for the Shopping Guide and a newsletter opt-in for our Plaid Friday customers. There is a super easy Plaid Friday business registration form as well as an available print-out option to share with other business owners that choose not to surf the net. There is also an option to sign up for the Plaid Friday Business Owners mailing list, so please share and forward this with others that may want to be in the know.
It's early yet and I'm not requesting sign ups. We just wanted to get the word out about the website and newsletter list. However, now is the time to contact me with suggestions or requests. So let me know!
We also have a facebook page!
With Hopeful Visions of a Prosperous Shop Local Holiday Season to Come,
Jeannette McDonald
Plaid Friday Organizer
Visit: www.plaidfridayamador.com
Amador Upcounty Rotary accepting Butte Fire Donations at Arco's Self Storage
Amador Upcounty Rotary accepting Butte Fire Donations at Arco's Self Storage
Please feel free to donate the listed items below at Arco's Self Storage to be distributed by Amador Upcountry Rotary. This will help evacuated individuals to be resettled into their homes or start anew.
- Kitchenware
- Pots & Pans
- Tables & Chairs
- Towels & Bedding
- Children’s Toys
- School Supplies
- Laundry Supplies
- Toiletries
- Clothing
- Camping Supplies
- Flashlights
Contact: Naomi Grimes - 209-295-6455
Arco’s Self Storage 26701
Wagon Wheel Dr., Pioneer
Tuesday – Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
(Amador Upcountry Rotary meets: Thurs. 5:30pm at the St. George in Volcano)
Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 4 - 10
Fire Prevention Week is coming upon us again (October 4 – 10) and we are preparing for our local events here in Jackson. This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm”. The key message of this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. Please see the attached media bulletins for you to distribute and use to help us spread the word. We will be doing presentations at the local day cares in Jackson, the kindergarteners of Jackson elementary and various other clubs and organizations in Jackson. We are also encouraging other groups to contact us to schedule an event if they would like. Thank you for your continued support!
Cody Martinsen
Captain - Jackson Fire Department
33 Broadway
Jackson, CA 95642
(209) 223-9039 Station
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