Thoughts on the Los Padres National Forest Closure (Storm Damage January 2023)

 

Upper North Fork Matilija. Slide on the high side east bank. 

Regarding the recent closure I have been silent thus far. These days working as a USFS Volunteer with The Partners In Preservation I thought it best not to inject my personal opinion into such contentious matters. I still stand by that. Plus what's done is done, as they say no use in crying over spilt milk. While I have been able to get into the field during the closure doing official site assessments I like most all of you, don't enjoy the current situation, and look to propose future solutions. 

Refugio Road, photo credit: Curt Cragg

Here's what what we do know. The United States Forest Service is both understaffed, and underfunded. It's been this way for years. The way I understand it and correct me if I'm wrong here, is plenty of money becomes available during/after a wildfire but for natural disasters such as this that's not the case. So in such instances where residents were left stranded, cut off from food, basic essentials, medications, roads completely destroyed, trails unrecognizable, all out wide spread forest destruction. It is not inconceivable to imagine perhaps panic sets in on a department that is overwhelmed and lacking the resources they so desperately need.  All that said was this broad shutdown justified and should these continue to be something the public comes to expect? On the latter I for one hope not. We can do better. 

Mono Campground, photo credit: Los Padres Forest Association.

One thing FS doesn't lack is volunteers. Free labor, why not lean more on us in these situations? We are here, always standing by and ready for deployment. Yes they already utilize volunteers but in my opinion not enough. I am proposing each ranger district assign specific trails/roads to their volunteers who can then after a crisis immediately assess the damages and in real time report back on what should or should not be closed. You wont need a broad forest closure if you have hundreds of volunteers all ready and trained to descend upon their pre assigned locations after these types of events. Of course with that comes following proper check in and check out procedures with LP communications, and adhering to safety protocols, perhaps even requiring teams carry satellite communicator's in the field. Instead of a handful of the same people spread out over months assessing individual locations we launch a full scale volunteer assault within the first week, put eyes on the entire forest and use pinpoint precision to close what needs closing, while leaving the rest open for public enjoyment. Those not doing field surveys can help by posting signs at all the trailheads warning of possible dangers. This is obviously a over simplified explanation. A program like this will take thought and preparation so might as well get started on it, or something like it. 

Grade Valley,  photo credit: Craig Carey & T111

Imagine the pride and satisfaction both the people and the administrators can have knowing they can work together in times of crisis for the greater good of the community and the forest. Trust restored, problem solved. I don't want to hear it cant be done, because it can. You don't need money to train volunteers when you can use other volunteers to do it. I will be the first to raise my hand to help anyone that wants to participate and learn how to properly survey a trail. And I'm not alone, countless others would do the same. Do the hard stuff, prepare ahead of time. A good solution is often not an easy one. I urge the Forest Service to consider expanding the duties of its volunteers. Lean on the established trail organizations and individuals who have proven themselves in the field. We want to help, please let us do more. The Los Padres could if there was a will and under the right leadership Pioneer a world class volunteer program, that becomes the gold standard across all forests.

Hwy 33, photo credit: Caltransdistrict7

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