Fire safety or eyesore?: Recent campground work sparks debate
By JOHN SENTS - Staff Writer
Friday, July 25, 2008 12:42 PM PDT
SPRING CREEK - A group of Spring Creek residents is fuming over recent ground work at the homeowner association's private campground, while others say the area is improved and will be fully restored and safer if a fire prevention project is completed.
Association President Pam Borda gave the board many previous updates about the fire suppression work at the campground, but some directors said at the board's Wednesday meeting they were not notified a track hoe would be implemented and the campground's riparian areas affected.
“I went up to the campground myself,” director Dena Hartley said. “I have to admit I went there with an open mind and I walked away wondering what this had to do with fuel reduction and fire prevention in the event that it was a fire.”
In a July progress report, Mike McCarty of the Nevada Fire Safe Council reported the campground has become so overgrown with flammable vegetation there is a risk of losing the area to fire or trapping campers in the event of a wind-driven fire. The council has been working with the Nevada Division of Forestry and Spring Creek Association to help make the campground more fire safe.
In past updates to the board, Borda reported the Nevada Division of Forestry is planning a grant for the campground fire protection and will be bringing in prison crews to work on the project. She said it will be a two to three year project to clear dead brush and trees, thin wild rose bushes and cut out dead sagebrush.
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Hartley said she “didn't have a clue” of what was going on in the campground and the board never received the fire suppression plan, had input in the plan or had a chance to vote on it.
“This board did not direct (Borda) to do anything,” Hartley said.
The long-term project is currently on hold and unsightly piles of vegetation, dirt, rocks and debris will not be chipped or mitigated until the association resolves its current issues.
“We are literally dead in the water now until this issue gets resolved,” Borda said.
With her hands trembling and voice cracking with emotion, Borda gave evidence of multiple instances where board members were updated on the project, saying the board first requested a previous president mitigate fire hazards at the campground in 2004.
“I have put an enormous amount of effort into that (fire safe) chapter and trying to go forward in protecting all of you from fire and keeping your homeowners insurance at a reasonable level,” Borda said. “I am trying to get as much done as I can with the funds and the resources I have.”
Many volunteers were brought on hand for the project. Borda said parts of the campground look bad now but the project is not done. The track hoe operator, Borda said, is skilled and has much experience in reclamation. She said the equipment has been used in other parts of Spring Creek for needed improvements.
Hartley said she contacted the Army Corps of Engineers to ask about bank erosion and other issues she saw in a creek by the campground; Hartley said she was told the association is in violation for not pulling a permit.
Borda said she spoke with the corps after Hartley contacted them and officials reviewed the area. She said the corps will not take any action on the campground work, based on what they saw.
Greg Beasley, an NDF fire protection officer and fuels management specialist, spoke about plans for the campground. Spring Creek volunteer fire chief Rod Mothershead also addressed the issues in the campground.
Spring Creek residents have differing opinions on the ground work at the campground. Karen Ash in a letter called it an “attack on this sensitive riparian area” and said “damage to the campground will take years to fade.”
Charlie Ekburg said in a letter he didn't see “dozer-ravaged areas” Ash cited and said the area is improved and riparian areas have not been damaged, “not even dented.”
In the past few years, the Spring Creek Chapter of the Nevada Fire Safe Council received about $81,000 of grant money to reduce fuels in the area. In the summer of 2007, the chapter mowed or brush beat 220 acres of greenbelt area, used herbicides on 113 acres of cheat grass and seeded 150 acres of mowed greenbelts with a more desirable grass and forbs seed mix.
Also at the meeting, the association:
Agreed to abolish an old policy of having the Committee of Architecture chairman come to board meetings quarterly to give reports and instead request the committee have an annual meeting with the board. Directors Dena Hartley and Lance Dean were opposed and all other directors in support.
Approved Lamoille Fencing's bids of approximately $13,000 in total for three projects in the area. The fencing will be added in portions near the Horse Palace, Barrick Park in the mobile home section and at the golf course. Hartley and Dean opposed the motion after Dean raised concerns that not enough bids were received. The association received one bid and two companies did not respond to requests.
Agreed unanimously not to seek earthquake insurance coverage.
Took no action on discussion about open meeting law complaints filed with the state attorney general's office, discussion of attorney Jim Copenhaver's billings, and discussion of the road committee and bid award to Frehner Construction. The issues will be addressed in a later meeting.
Received an update from Borda that Spring Creek Utilities is seeking to increase water and sewer rates.
Hartley requested discussion with the golf course's pro be included on the next agenda. Chairman Bob Collyer said he believes the issues can be addressed through the association's chain of command and do not need to be discussed by the full board. However, if any director requests an item be on the agenda, it will be included.
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hunter wrote on Aug 1, 2008 12:16 PM: