In Attendance: Harry Bruell of Southwest Youth Corps, Kristie Borchers, Dan Ochocki, Dan Noonan, Joy Mathis, Laurie Robison, Pam Wilson, Dave Abercrombie, Ben Cordova, Ron Tyner, Mike Kane Jr, Ted Talmon, and Jeff Berman of Colorado Wild.

• Introductions
• Minutes from previous meeting approved.
• Harry Bruell of Southwest Youth Corps (SYC) gave a brief overview of this program.
  • SYC idea dates back to the 1930’s CCC crews – Roosevelt era which put young people to work, and also helped create the vast amount of infrastructure needed in forests/parks/preserves. The local SYC is somewhat different – not a big federal program, but a local non-profit organization, also employ women on the crews. Workers are 18 to 24 years old, positive focus – see as a resource rather than potential trouble.
  • Primary work includes trails, fire rehabilitation, recreation work, have started a Fire Career training program – this fall.
  • Work four weeks to six months – receive on-the-job training, professional development, education, life skills, paid-position, also receive educational scholarship.
  • Try to limit participation so reaching local youth, many from New Mexico, many cultures take advantage of the program.
  • Camp out, work must be in the public benefit.
  • Project sponsors pay for 90% of the cost.
  • Powerful program – lifechanging.
  • Many fuels reduction projects – Anasazi Heritage Center, Crow Canyon Archaeological Education Center,
  • Mesa Verde, Montezuma Fairgrounds, Town of Mancos etc etc

Actions:
1. SYC will continue to be involved with Council, let’s brainstorm and identify some joint projects (education and/or on the ground).

• Dan Noonan and Dave Abercrombie, discussion about proposed fire standards
  • Letter of support from council, not correct when calling it “proposed code” – should more accurately reflect “proposed standards”
  • Has been in process with the county for awhile, efforts seem to be ‘jump-started’ again
  • Several components – access (driveway standards), wildland mitigation, potential water supply piece, and fire-resistive materials
  • Dave Abercrombie wants letters of support to also mention the issue of emergency access, this is not just a “fire” issue
  • If a particular property has difficulty meeting the access standards, can overcompensate in some of the other areas (like increased wildfire mitigation or developed water supplies, for example).
  • When it comes time for public meetings, those that oppose these standards will be there, voicing concerns. Those who support such standards also need to be willing to voice the positive impacts of such standards.
  • Standards have been passed in Archuleta and Montezuma county. Discussion about why La Plata has been so difficult to pass. Dan brought up that he can understand the individual’s right, but when an individual’s actions affect a neighborhood or a community, there is a greater public safety issue.
  • Louder vocal minority is overriding the silent majority. Please be willing to speak up if you support such fire standards.
  • Public meetings will be widely publicized.
  • Update: Since the meeting, Nancy Lauro forwarded the latest fire standards resolution, which is also available on the La Plata County website. Let me know if you need a copy.

Actions:
1. Dave and Dan will develop Talking Points.
2. Write a letter of support, encourage others to do the same.
3. Attend the public meetings when scheduled.

• Grants and Funding
  • Professional Series grant, Fire Council, CSFS – received $4,000
  • Beetle insert grant, Fire Council, CSFS – received (unknown)
  • Doing a write-up for Mike Preston (as discussed at previous meetings), asking for general start-up funding on specific projects - - tied to National Fire Plan and Healthy Forests Initiative (will be sent out to Working Group before submission)
  • Looking for grant funding to send one or two representatives to the November firewise workshop in Denver (possibly can use some of $4,000, possibly slush funding with SJMA, possibly CSFS or OCS – need a decision by the September meeting)
  • 2005 Call of Grants, from Colorado State Forest Service – Dan Ochocki
    • request electronic version csfsdugo@lamar.colostate.edu
    • for homeowners, subdivisions, education projects
    • every year, requests going up, amount funded decreases – now also competing with 17 western states
    • don’t wait to get a grant to do the work (DanO)
    • Council will submit a small grant for targeted education project, deadline is September 10th – draft will be emailed to Working Group pre-submission
• Education Update
  • CSFS Kiosk will be at the La Plata Electric Assc’s foyer for the month of September
    • Council will do a press release
    • Please think of other high-traffic areas to put throughout the year (one/month)
    • Action: Chas – please set up time to meet with Benny about this
  • Welcome Wagon information – Action: Ted will take the lead on this
  • “Nature and Me” at Children’s Museum of Durango, features Ips beetle and fire safety
• Insurance Industry Update
  • Copy of letter sent to Farm Bureau regarding ‘100-foot clearance’ - no response
  • Accordia now sending out “Living with Wildland Fire” to Durango-area clients
• “Fire Council Designation” or national FireWise designation or Colorado State designation
  • Regarding subdivisions were are interested in being designated as FireWise
  • National program is not very stringent
  • State program is closer – still missing some components, like access
  • What is Council’s position/recommendation for subdivisions?
  • Fits well with Subdivision Ambassador program - - this is the process for subdivisions to become “FireWise”
    
  • Could have levels - - 1) get this recognition, 2) etc etc 3) etc etc
  • Action: Create taskforce to pull information together and make recommendation to Fire Council – Ron/Kristie/Ted/CSFS rep/Pam Wilson – and let’s ask Susan Bryson or another HOA rep
• Subdivision Ambassador program – Marsha Porter-Norton update (via email)
  • Will convene a committee in September (has list – if interested in joining this committee, contact Marsha), will line out work plan, goals, potential costs, assign duties. Work plan will approved by Council at a subsequent meeting.
  • Potential ambassadors will first be identified by HOA reps that have expressed interest and/or participated in Council.
  • Feel free to give Marsha names of potential ambassadors.

Next Meeting – September 21, 2004 – Barbecue/potluck, 5:30 at LPEA lawn
We’ll email out a sign-up list for what to bring.

Minutes submitted, August 19, 2004
Kristine Borchers