PORTERVILLE, CA - Sept. 4, 2012 – Today, Forest Supervisor, Kevin B. Elliott, released a new Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan (Monument Plan) for one of this Nation’s national treasures.  The Monument Plan guides restoration efforts for giant sequoia ecosystems, watersheds, habitat for old-forest dependent wildlife, and the protection of mountain communities.  

Regional Forester, Randy Moore, selected Alternative B and one element of Alternative E (Moses Wilderness recommendation) as the basis for the Monument Plan.

Two years of public collaboration provided the sidebars for a strategic vision for the Giant Sequoia National Monument (Monument).  “The public’s tireless efforts have resulted in a framework to restore and manage 33 giant sequoia groves, provide healthy watersheds, homes for unique wildlife, as well as provide spectacular recreation adventures to the American people”, stated Elliott, Forest Supervisor.  “Throughout this Monument Plan there is a theme of ecological restoration based on a foundation of science and a set of strong protocols.”

Today’s action culminates years of collaborative efforts with multiple agencies, the scientific community, and an engaged public to develop management direction based on public collaboration and current science.

Alternative B is identified as the environmentally preferred alternative based upon the comprehensive balance that this alternative provides for: 1) reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire to communities and valuable resources such as giant sequoia groves, wildlife habitat, and other objects of interest; and 2) restoring important ecological processes and forest structures such as a more natural fire regime, a mosaic of tree species, ages, and sizes for wildlife habitat, and giant sequoia regeneration.

The southern Sierra Nevada is a special place with an international icon: the world-renowned giant sequoia, nature’s masterpiece.  

On April 15, 2000, President Clinton signed the presidential proclamation (Proclamation) that established the Giant Sequoia National Monument.  The Monument Plan implements the Proclamation, and will protect the objects of interest while also encouraging continued public recreational access and use, consistent with the purposes of the Monument.

The Forest Service heard from more than 79,000 respondents on the draft environmental impact statement and draft management plan, published for comment on August 6, 2010.  Concerns raised by the public were used to improve and make corrections to the Management Plan and the analysis in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

The final documents include:  the Record of Decision, Monument Plan, and FEIS (Volumes I and II).  The key highlights include:

·         A comprehensive stand-alone Monument Plan which describes a long-term vision and provides the strategic direction for managing the Monument and its resources over the next 10 to 15 years.  The Monument Plan includes the direction required by the Proclamation and it replaces all previous management direction for the Monument.  It defines the limits for management activities, but allows for the adjustment of future project-level decisions to accommodate changing social and resource conditions.

·         Use of science - A four-pronged approach compiled the best available science to develop management direction for the Monument.  In 2001, a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture developed 27 science advisories; in 2008, the SAB reconvened to review the relevance of the 27 advisories; in 2009, a Science Review Panel was convened to conduct a science consistency review of the analysis in the draft documents; and in 2011, another Science Review Panel was convened to review the analysis in the FEIS.

·         Development of criteria to determine the appropriateness of tree felling and the clear need for tree removal.  This criteria follows the Proclamation requirement that stated: Removal of trees, except for personal use fuel wood, from within the monument area may take place only if clearly needed for ecological restoration and maintenance or public safety.

·         Recommending a portion of the Moses Inventoried Roadless Area (15,110 acres in the southern portion) for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, as the Moses Wilderness, and managing it as such until Congress acts.

·         The designation of Special Interest Areas:

- Freeman Creek Grove Botanical Area (4,190 acres in the southern portion), which includes the pristine Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove.  This grove is the easternmost grove of giant sequoias and is considered to be among the most recently established with approximately 800 large trees (10 feet in diameter or more),  and Windy Gulch Geological Area (3,500 acres in the northern portion), which protects amazing and unique caves, 15 which are known and possibly as many as 100, that contain Pleistocene-era fossils, rare minerals, and unique animals.   A cave management plan will be developed for significant caves in this geological area.

The notice of availability for the FEIS will be published in the Federal Register on September 7, 2012.  The final documents can be downloaded from the Sequoia National Forest’s website at: www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/gsnm_planning.html.  

To request a copy of the ROD, Monument Plan, FEIS, or map packets, please contact Annette Fredette at the Sequoia National Forest Supervisor’s Office: (559) 784-1500, extension 1138.  The file sizes of some of the documents and maps are quite large so, if high-speed internet is not available, please contact our office to request a CD.

A written Notice of Appeal must be filed within 90 days of the date the legal notice is published in the newspapers of record, the Porterville Recorder and Sacramento Bee.  Written appeals need to beaddressed to the Chief of the Forest Service in Washington, DC.  The appeal must contain sufficient narrative evidence and argument to show why this decision should be changed or reversed.  For more information on appeals, please see the Appeal Rights section of the ROD.

JACKSON, CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort  is the first casino in California to offer the House Money side bet in Blackjack.

If a player makes the optional House Money wager from $1 to $25 and their first two cards are a A&K suited, 2-Card Straight Flush, a Pair, or a 2-Card Straight, the player is paid up to 9 to 1 (depending on the hand) and the original wager is also returned.

The Player is paid regardless if the Dealer has a Blackjack. If the Player has one of the above hands in their initial two cards, they have the option to add the entire amount paid (including the original side bet wager) or any portion of the winnings to their base Blackjack wager. Or the player may choose to simply collect the payout. If the Dealer has Blackjack, this option does not apply and the Player is simply paid for his winning hand.

If the player chooses to ‘cap’ their base Blackjack wager by adding the winnings of the initial phase of his side bet, the entire wager will be considered to be his Blackjack wager. The player may also cap his wager if his winning hand was a Blackjack (Ace-King suited).

Jackson Rancheria also offers Blackjack players a Bet the Set “21” side bet. If the player’s first two cards are a pair or suited pair, the player wins. The player’s hand is independent of the dealer’s hand and is unaffected by the dealer’s Blackjack. This side bet pays up to 25-1 depending on the number of decks in play.

Jackson Rancheria always strives to offer the latest and most popular games and betting options. Visit JacksonCasino.com for details on all the games and activities at the Casino Resort.

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For more information, call 800-822-9466 or visit JacksonCasino.com.

Story from Press Release edited by Tom Slivick TSPN TV

VALLEJO, Calif. – The Indian Valley Restoration Project which is in the headwaters of the Mokelumne River watershed will receive $366,400 for restoration work to be completed in early October.  The Mokelumne River Watershed accounts for 94 percent of the East Bay Municipal Utility District impacting much of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, Coca-Cola and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), two of several partners, will contribute a combined $366,400 toward the project which will result in a stream that can access the floodplain, spread out and reduce the energy of the water flow and re-water the nearby meadow. American Rivers, a leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams, wrote the original grant proposal and will contract for the work on the ground.  The seasonal water table is expected to stay higher for longer into the dry season, encouraging the growth of riparian vegetation, and providing cooler water for fish and wildlife. Indian Valley was identified as the top candidate for restoration in the NFWF-funded 2010-2011 assessment of meadows in the Mokelumne Watershed because of its potential to provide improved habitat value. The Indian Valley project contributes to a cumulative effect that benefits downstream users.

WHAT: Opportunity to obtain B-Roll of the work being done and video of the area prior to the work. 

WHO: U.S. Forest Service, NFWF, Coca-Cola, American Rivers

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Please meet at the Eldorado National Forest Supervisors Office: 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667.  Media will follow U.S. Forest Service officials to site location which is approximately two hours from the Placerville location off highway 88.

HOW: If you are interested in covering the event, please RSVP by contacting John Heil at (707) 562-9004 for more information.  If you are unable to cover, B-roll will be available upon request.

Story from Press Release edited by Alen Sprenkel TSPN TV

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorneys in several states announced the final results in Operation Mountain Sweep, an eight-week, multi-agency and multistate marijuana operation targeting large-scale, illegal marijuana grows on public lands in seven states. The operation, previously announced on August 21, lasted from July 1 through August 31, and involved law enforcement activity on public lands in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. In the course of Operation Mountain Sweep, federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the seven states eradicated more than 726,000 marijuana plants from public lands. The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates the value of this marijuana to be over $1.45 billion.

In California, Operation Mountain Sweep involved law enforcement operations on public lands in dozens of counties. Law enforcement officers in California eradicated more than 130 marijuana grow sites on public lands, seizing at least 540,000 marijuana plants. The marijuana plants seized on public lands represent 65 percent of all marijuana plants seized in California since July 1. Huge amounts of trash, miles of irrigation line, and many pounds of fertilizer and pesticides were removed from grow sites on public lands.

In the Eastern District of California, 26 defendants were indicted as part of Operation Mountain Sweep. All of the defendants were arrested during operations at marijuana grow sites on public lands in July and August. Fourteen firearms were seized in the course of those arrests.

Public land suffers the effects of the illegal marijuana grows long after the crop is harvested. Marijuana growers remove natural vegetation to make room for the marijuana, they cut down trees to allow sunlight into the site, and they divert streams from their natural path to irrigate the land. They introduce chemicals and poisons to fertilize the crops and use rodenticides and insecticides indiscriminately, harming the land and waterways. Trash and equipment litter abandoned sites for years to come. Some of the most pristine public land in the West is being scarred in this way and cannot recover without costly human intervention.

U.S. Attorney Wagner said: “Those who cultivate marijuana on public lands pose a safety threat to the public and an environmental threat to the land and to wildlife. Our efforts to protect those public lands are working – after years of increasing, the number of plants located on public lands in California is decreasing – but the problem is still severe, and we cannot declare victory. Operation Mountain Sweep is over, but the 2012 marijuana harvest season is still underway, and so are our enforcement efforts.”

Operation Mountain Sweep was supported by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which provided operational coordination, funding and intelligence management. Ten HIDTAs in the seven states participated in the operation.

In California, Operation Mountain Sweep was carried out by federal agents from the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and by state and local law enforcement officers. In California, those included officers from the California Department of Justice and sheriff’s deputies from numerous counties. The California National Guard provided critical operations support, planning and logistics, including the use of helicopters throughout the operation.

The following data, which may not include all results during Operation Mountain Sweep, is based on DEA data and California Cannabis Eradication and Reclamation Team data, July 1 – August 31, 2012:

Participating State

Overall Total Marijuana Plant Seizures

Public Land Marijuana Plant Seizures

Percentage of Plants Seized on Public Lands

Arizona

25,666

25,000

97.41%

California

837,586

540,049

64.48%

Idaho

61,878

53,454

86.39%

Nevada

44,738

30,861

68.98%

Oregon

9,206

8,788

95.46%

Utah

9,574

4,211

43.98%

Washington

93,313

64,506

69.13%

TOTALS

1,081,961

726,869

66.69%

Story from Press Release edited by Alan Sprenkel TSPN TV

The City of Jackson has announced that a public meeting will be held on September 17, 2012 regarding the Circulation Improvement Program and Transportation Impact Fee Update. For additional information regarding this meeting please contact Neil Peacock, r at (209) 267-2282 or via e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Story from Press Release edited by Tom Slivick TSPN TV

Your Invitation to Bluegrassin' in the Foothills a 3 day Music Event at the Amador County  Fairgrounds in Plymouth Ca.

Hay Kids Join 8 for 8 Gold Country Lanes Bowling Fun For Life

Fixin' them...just to Crash them!  Go behind the scenes with Mike Merzlak And find out about the cars and crews as they weld and pound Destruction Cars into shape just before the mud flies, at the Amador County Fair Sunday night. And by the way Mike Merzlak does stellar work as he fills in for his Gear Head Dad Kam. You'd never know that this is Mike's First time hosting on TSPN TV. He's  Third generation following in the Tradition of Grandfather Ralph, and Father Kam.

JACKSON, CA – JacksonCasino.com has a new look. The website for Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort has been completely redesigned with more features, easier navigation, and more online functions.

Jackson Rancheria is nearing the end of extensive renovations and planning an extravagant Grand Opening Celebration in November to mark the completion of major new Gaming areas, five Restaurants, a High Limit Room, Poker Room, Gift Shop, Bus Lobby, much easier access, and more.

The website is a big step in the evolution of the new Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort.

“Our hope is, just like the totally redesigned Casino space, our guests will find our new virtual space cleaner and more intuitive to navigate through,” said CEO Rich Hoffman.

The new site includes details on Promotions, Entertainment, Dining, and more. There is a new Blog, spotlights on both recent Winners and the Casino’s largest Winners over the years, plus information on Career opportunities at the Rancheria.

Users can now make online reservations for the Hotel, RV Park and Lone Wolf Restaurant as well as purchase tickets to Concerts and other Events.

Event planners looking for a great place to host an event of any size or type will find details on the new site.

There is a live Weather Bug with current weather data and the ability to see real time conditions at the RV Park.

The site was designed by Proof Interactive, an award winning, independent firm located in Las Vegas.

“Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is a destination filled with gaming action, live entertainment and luxurious amenities set amidst the beautiful landscape of Miwuk tribal lands and Amador County,” notes Dan Geary, President of Proof Interactive. “The site design stays true to the nature of the resort, which is excitement and fun surrounded by the beauty of the surrounding countryside. It was a great, collaborative effort and I couldn’t be more proud of this project.”

Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is located at 12222 New York Ranch Road, Jackson, CA 95642. 800-822-WINN (9466), http://www.jacksoncasino.com/ .

Located in the Sierra foothills town of Jackson, CA, Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort is owned by the Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe. A sovereign government, the Rancheria is dedicated to developing projects that not only enhance the tribe’s ability to remain self-reliant, but also reflect a commitment to be a good neighbor.

Camino – The wildfire on Sandridge Road and Balmaceda Road in the Logtown area of El Dorado County is 100% contained at 23.8 acres.  Emergency crews will remain on scene and continue to strengthen the containment lines and put out hotspots within the burn throughout the day.  Firefighting crews will check on the area through the weekend.

At 3:54 pm yesterday the wildfire was reported and within minutes a large smoke column could be seen from the Placerville area.  The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department began contacting locals about voluntarily evacuating from Balmaceda Road area.  The California Highway Patrol quickly closed Sandridge Road between Highway 49 and Tripp Road to allow emergency equipment to move into the area.  The road was re-opened about 4 hours later.

CAL FIRE, El Dorado County Fire, El Dorado Hills Fire, Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire, Rescue Fire, Sac Metro, Amador Fire Protection District and Ione Fire assisted in protecting the homes in the area from the fast moving wildfire.  Two homes were threatened and did not sustain any damage; one out building was damaged. 

“A multi-agency and multi-county emergency response kept this fire from destroying multiple homes in the neighborhood.  There was a huge potential for this fire to do damage but emergency responders did exactly what they were trained to do and it all worked out very well for the residents of the Sandridge area” said Incident Commander Battalion Chief Dave Teter who added “it is really great to have such a professional response from both fire and law enforcement agencies”.

For more information on preparing to evacuate your family in the event of a wildfire or other disaster, check out CAL FIRE’s Ready-Set-Go program at www.readyforwildfire.org and FEMA’s website at www.ready.gov.  For tips on preparing disaster kits for your family pets and livestock, visit the Humane Society at www.humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/disaster_preparedness_pets.