Notes on Chapter Council Meeting – Carmel, September 2003

 

By Alison Shilling, RSB Chapter Conservation Chair

There were many disparate issues brought up; I refer you to the handouts sent out beforehand, and to the website. The following notes are my own perspectives on things that seem important.

 

1. Prioritizing conservation policies. It was felt that policies need to be re-written and probably revisited every few years, also that statements made by CNPS should be more clearly separated into a) general statements of principles/ideals that the Society should adhere to, b) recommendations to the membership as to how these should be implemented and c) positions that we would wish agencies and other bodies politic to follow, but that we have no power to enforce. Current policies etc. will be looked at in order of importance.

 

2. Society focus: An attempt was made to refine one policy – that the Society focus only on plants.  It was felt important to stick to this, unless a "clear nexus can be established between the topic and plant concerns, e.g. extraction of water out of watershed lowers the table for trees." The language of this is to be refined for December.

 

3. Legislation updates are on the website, under LEGWEB. Remember, CalFlora is back.

 

4. Board President's report: conference calls are saving expense of $1000 to $1500 per meeting; the auditors gave us a clean bill of health; we are going in on a lawsuit (costs $5000) for vernal pool critical habitat in the Central Valley against Forest Service, which pulled out of 1 million acres which include the only locations of Butte Meadowfoam and Sacramento Orcutt Grass; the Finance Committee will circulate documents before the Dec meeting.

 

5. Exec Director gave details of calendar: July to Sept, planning by different committees; Oct to Dec, draft plan and mid-year report; Jan to Mar, approve plan; Apr to June, annual report.

 

6. Chapter Events: Insurance is becoming trickier. We must take care when we sign a contract or hire someone. We must not organize car-pooling. Certain events will not be covered, if attendance is more than 300.

 

7. Council Officers' eligibility: alternative 2 in handout was approved, since the requirement that they be delegates was felt to put the burden of State-wide office on top of chapter office.

 

8. The fire risk management policy was re-written (I think this is the final wording!): "The CNPS supports a fire management policy that protects life and property and conserves plant species and their habitat. Vegetation management aimed at reducing fire risk must be interdisciplinary and science-based to minimize damage to native plant species and their habitat. CNPS

recommends that agencies and jurisdictions promote and apply research to develop site-specific and effective fire management methods that minimize damage to native vegetation."

 

9. Chapter Support Committee: a resolution was passed to increase the subvention to $750, effective next fiscal year. Chapters do not have to take it. Additional funds can be allocated on a case-by-case basis.

 

10. Meetings (Jim Bishop): December 6 – Berkeley.

Afternoon program proposed on problems etc. in making/maintaining native gardens.

 

March 6 – Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

 

June 5 – Mid-State Host Group (Tulare Co in the Sequoias at 2000' – no alcohol.)

 

September 11 –  North-Bay Host Group

 

December 4 – Berkeley

 

11. Tara Mueller of the State Attorney's Office gave an analysis of divisions and responsibilities within it.  The one most applicable to our work is 'Natural Resources Section', but the Office will often work against us since their 'clients' are the agencies, inc. Food and Ag. The 'Environment Section' is more into toxic substances etc. though there is some 'independent AG stuff (I did not quite understand this); the 'Land Law Section' deals with takings under CEQA and litigates on behalf of e.g. Coastal Commission.  General attitude was that Tara would be our friend in court if possible. The AG's Office has filed an amicus brief on Ahmanson and Newhall Ranches, against Mammoth/Yosemite Airport extensions and to get cows off the Trout Wilderness. They are concerned about Statewide 'waterless development trend'. (!)

 

12. A presentation was given regarding illegal OHV riding in the Hollister Hills, over valuable serpentine habitat – DESPITE there being an OHV park nearby. This, I believe, has important implications for our proposed OHV park in the badlands, which County and State are touting as providing a legal place for riding, to get rid of illegal riding. (I have written an answer to their NOP for an EIR on 'our' park, mentioning the problem of its acting as an attractant, rather than a solution, to illegal riding.)

 

13. I made inquiries of both Pam Muick and Patt McDaniel about interns. There seems to be no precedent in CNPS (we would be guinea pigs!). The best they could suggest would be that we ask other 501(c) organizations. Insurance coverage would depend on the size of the stipend. If none, could be counted as volunteer; more than a few hundred dollars would be an independent contractor.