NorthYubaGuide

Federal firings may be a death blow to Downieville

Downieville’s fragile economy has been declining for years. The government, the largest employer in Sierra Country, faces challenges as billionaires reduce fire prevention efforts, leading to property value drops.

The following is from YubaNet.com, a local news outlet:

Last week, twenty-one people were reportedly fired from the Tahoe National Forest’s workforce of roughly 200 people. This has been described to us as Round #1 of reduction, leaving open the possibility of additional terminations. How do these firings affect people and projects in our area?

Executive orders and the resulting firings, funding freezes or cuts have local impacts that reach far beyond the people and their families terminated from their jobs. If you hope a fuels reduction project will be completed or even just think of using a bathroom in a campground, read on.

Fuel reductions and vegetation management impacts

Natural resources specialists and timber staff have been fired from the TNF. These people not only draw up the plans for fuel reduction projects, they go in the field to supervise work done on the projects. For example, areas designated as nesting areas may not be used by wildlife, natural resource specialists verify this on the ground and can then open these areas for timber harvesting or vegetation management. Otherwise, the operational periods to get this work done are severely reduced or projects can not be started or completed. Hazardous fuels reduction work may not occur without the work of biologists who ensure protection of species.

According to our sources:

A terminated wildlife lead was critical in planning projects, and scheduling and performing a large workload of surveys that are required for vegetation management activities.
A terminated harvest inspector came to this work without a timber background but stepped into the role on large projects in the Trapper project and others. With commitment to learn and excel, this person recently achieved the highest score in the region on the sale administration examination.
A terminated NEPA coordinator stepped into a large program of planned work and quickly aligned the natural resource team in priorities and tight timelines. Plans for work near Pike, Camptonville, North San Juan, and critical access roads for many communities near the South Yuba drainage were completed or brought close to completion with this person’s coordination and leadership.

Most of the 21 people fired from the USFS on the Tahoe National Forest have firefighting certifications, known as a “Red Card.” The certification must be renewed every year and now is the time when the recertification and training for high fire season occurs.

The TNF received $5 million from the Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program announced by the Biden-Harris Administration on Sept. 10, 2024. The Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program used hazardous fuels funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to treat additional areas of high wildfire risk where national forests and grasslands meet homes and communities, known as the Wildland-Urban Interface. The funding for timber operations and vegetation management projects like the South Yuba Roadside Fuel Break Project for vegetation management work along Hwy 20 near Nevada City has been frozen, according to our sources.

Recreation impacts

Typically, Forest Service campgrounds on the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (late May through late October) in the lower to mid-elevations. High Sierra campgrounds may open later due to snow. The campgrounds are managed and maintained by TNF staff, generally 5-6 permanent employees and 10-15 seasonal employees for each of the four ranger districts.

At this time, no new seasonal positions have been authorized. This means no trash service, no campground hosts, no bathroom maintenance or repairs to water systems.

The reservation system at www.recreation.gov does not provide any information about possible closures and is accepting reservations.

We have received unconfirmed information that contracts with local companies have been halted or canceled by ‘a Washington office.’ These contracts reportedly range from services to campgrounds to vegetation management.

Local agency impacts

The USFS also works in collaboration with local government agencies and non-profit organizations.

Nevada County’s response to our query on the effects of funding cuts or freezes:

At this time, no specific County programs are known to be directly impacted by the federal funding freezes, but we are closely monitoring potential effects on critical services. Currently, we’re looking at several federal grant-funded projects that could be impacted like shaded fuel break projects, hazardous vegetation work alongside evacuation routes and zero-emission transportation projects.
There are many unknowns and we’ve been in contact with community nonprofit providers to assess how funding disruptions could impact access to resources for our residents. Nonprofits have raised concerns about the inaccessibility of federal agencies and uncertainty of funding sources.
In response, we are working with our federal lobbyist, and next week, Chair Hall and Supervisor Bullock will be meeting with federal representatives while in Washington DC to advocate for Nevada County residents and elevate these concerns. We’re committed to working with community partners to maximize resources and share information with our residents.

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District has two programs impacted by funding freezes at this time:

Community Wildfire Defense Grant $392,542 (USDA)
- The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels and restore frequent-fire ecosystems on private and residential lands through broadcast prescribed fire training. The primary goal is to enhance the capacity of Nevada County residents to conduct prescribed burns. This initiative is particularly critical as 90% of Nevada County lies within very high or high fire hazard severity zones. Two personnel staff have been put on furlough and the program is on hold until payment for services rendered is received and future funding is approved.
NRCS Technical Support $75,000 (USDA)
- In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), NCRCD continues to provide technical assistance and project management across a range of natural resource conservation practices. These efforts support diverse land uses and promote sustainable resource management. This grant was funded with IRA funding. This current agreement is completely on hold. No payments received to date and no personnel allowed to bill. This grant affects the billing for one staff member.

Emily Blackmer, Director of Government Affairs for Sierra Business Council, commented:

The hiring freeze and firings put critical USFS activities at risk. As managers scramble to understand the order and which employees are exempt and which are not, all hiring has stopped and many long-term civil servants have already been fired. Seasonal firefighters, many of whom return to the BLM and USFS year after year, are left in limbo and are moving on to other opportunities. Years of experience, institutional knowledge, and community relationship-building have been thrown out the window.
Sierra communities depend upon access to federally managed public lands for a substantial portion of our economic activity. If campgrounds, trailheads, National Parks and other recreation sites close because there is no one to maintain them, many small businesses will be hurt by a season of reduced revenue, and some may never recover. They need public lands to operate to thrive.

No unit-specific information available?

Officially, the various National Forests are not authorized to comment on the situation and refer all media questions to the Regional Office (RO) and the Washington Office (WO.) After several days, we received a reply to our request for comment, not from the Forest Service, but from a USDA spokesperson. No unit-specific information was provided. The statement has been the standard response to questions from journalists.

The response reads:

Secretary Rollins fully supports the President’s directive to improve government, eliminate inefficiencies, and strengthen USDA’s many services to the American people. We have a solemn responsibility to be good stewards of the American people’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars and to ensure that every dollar spent goes to serve the people, not the bureaucracy. As part of this effort, USDA has made the difficult decision to release about 2,000 probationary, non-firefighting employees from the Forest Service. To be clear, none of these individuals were operational firefighters. Released employees were probationary in status, many of whom were compensated by temporary IRA funding. It’s unfortunate that the Biden administration hired thousands of people with no plan in place to pay them long term. Secretary Rollins is committed to preserving essential safety positions and will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted.
USDA spokesperson

Probationary employees are not just new hires, they can also be longtime employees promoted to a new position.

The funding allocation via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was $36 Billion over 10 years for USDA alone. The Forest Service was set to receive $1.5 Billion to support urban and community forestry.

The term ‘operational firefighters’ does not exist in the USFS classification. According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) “Position Classification Standard for Wildland Fire Management” manual:

The basic title for positions that involve wildland firefighting operations is: Wildland Firefighter – For positions that involves performing, managing, and supervising wildland fire work to include pre-response preparation, engagement, mitigation activities, and post-response actions, engagement with pre-response mitigation or preparation, incident response and post-incident response for wildland fire incidents and all-hazard responses. Work may involve all manners of fire suppression, fire management, and fuels management duties to include fire preparedness, suppression, and/or fuels. Work may involve response to emergency medical incidents. Coverage additionally includes suppression work performed on organized Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHC) and work performed on organized Handcrews.

Firefighters need support services provided by many other branches of their agency. Logistics, fleet, planning, medical, facilities, finance, procurement, resources, planning are a few of the units involved in large fires via the Incident management Teams. Post-fire, Burnt Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are responsible to mitigate the effects of a wildfire.

BAER teams are staffed by specially trained professionals: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation specialists, archeologists, and others who rapidly evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization treatments. A BAER assessment usually begins before the wildfire has been fully contained. [source: USDA Forest Service]

Impacts on private landowners

Inflation Reduction Act Section 23003 authorized the U.S. Forest Service to engage private forest landowners by supporting:

Cost share for climate mitigation and forest resilience practices.
Participation in emerging private markets for underserved landowners and landowners who own less than 2,500 acres.
Payments for implementation of forestry practices that provide measurable increase in carbon sequestration and storage. [source: USDA Forest Service]

In California, $19.5 billion of IRA funds were allocated to support USDA’s conservation programs within Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), beginning in fiscal year 2023, and continuing over the following four years. This included:

$1 billion for the Conservation Technical Assistance Program
$8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
$3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program
$1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program [Source: USDA NRCS]

Requests for comment on NRCS funding availability have not been returned by publication time.

Downieville

Yeah, they’re here

The October Caddis are on the North Yuba

Fly fishing for October Caddis on the North Fork of the Yuba River is an exciting pursuit that draws anglers eager to match the hatch of this large, distinctive bug. The October Caddis, also known as Dicosmoecus, emerges in the fall and is a significant food source for trout during this time. The North Fork of the Yuba, with its clear, fast-moving water and diverse structure of riffles, runs, and pools, provides an ideal habitat for these caddisflies. Fishing here during October can be highly productive, as trout become aggressive feeders, taking advantage of the abundant caddis emerging from the riverbed.

The best strategy for targeting trout during the October Caddis hatch involves using dry flies or emergers that imitate the adult or pupal stages of the caddis. Large, orange-bodied dry flies like a size 8-10 Elk Hair Caddis or Stimulator can be effective, especially during the afternoon when adult caddis are active. In addition, fishing a nymph pattern, such as a beadhead caddis pupa, through deeper runs can yield strikes, as trout often feed on caddis pupae before they emerge. Anglers should also pay attention to the river’s flow and light conditions, as trout are often more responsive during low light periods, such as early morning or dusk. This combination of tactics can make for an unforgettable day of fly fishing during the October Caddis hatch on the Yuba River.

Now is the time for larger fish on the North Fork of the Yuba

It may be cold but there are some large rainbow trout in the North Yuba right now. You’ll have the best luck with a streamer or nymph in the deeper water. If you can get on the water before the snow melts and increases the flows, you’ll find some larger fish that have come into the river from Bullards Bar Reservoir.

Bring layers and be ready for the big temperature swings.

Right now, there is not bait fishing allowed and you can’t keep any of your catch. This river is well patrolled by Game Wardens. You can get your fishing licence online or at the hardware store in Downieville.

Safe wading video

The above video from Orvis will give you some good tips on safe wading.

A wading staff makes a huge difference. A staff can be a dowl with a bike grip, a stick, or a purpose built wading staff. Orvis currently has the best wading staff available- it’s very light, fast to deploy, easy to store, and is sturdy. They are not cheap, but if you use it, it’s money well spent.

Fall is the best time to fish the North Fork of the Yuba River

Fly Fishing North Fork Yuba River Fall 2023

Fishing near Downieville is best in the Fall

Fishing up at the North Fork Yuba River has been absolutely fantastic lately! It’s that time of year when pretty much every body of water is teeming with action, and fall is hands down the best season for anglers here in Northern California. Right now, the water temperatures are hanging around a comfy 53 to 58 degrees. What’s even better is that there’s hardly any fishing pressure, and the campgrounds are practically deserted.

If you’re planning to fish the North Yuba, you’ll want to head downstream of Downieville. Look for those sunny spots that October caddis love – they enjoy basking in the warm, sunny bends of the river. The water characteristics in the lower watershed are quite different from the upper areas. You’ll find longer runs, riffles, and fewer pocket water spots, not to mention some bigger fish lurking around.

For the best fishing experience, aim to be out there during the warmest part of the day, roughly between 11 am and 4 pm. The trout are getting pretty excited about Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), October Caddis, and other smaller caddis, so those are good flys to use. Whether you prefer tight line nymphing, using a dry/dropper setup, or going with dry flies, all of these approaches have been proven to work well. I generally tight line (euro nymph) unless I see trout feeding on the surface.

While I haven’t spotted any brown trout on redds just yet, I’m pretty sure that they’re coming soon. With the upcoming warmer weather this weekend, a camping and fishing trip to the North Fork Yuba River with those beautiful fall colors is something you won’t want to miss!

September Fishing Report North Fork Yuba River

If you’re planning to do some fishing at the North Fork Yuba River, things are looking pretty good. From the upper areas down to Downieville, you’ll find some decent action. The water temperatures have dropped a bit due to the colder nights we’ve been having.

The silver lining is that you won’t have to deal with too many other anglers – it’s pretty quiet out there, especially in the middle of the week. As the water levels have receded for the season, the trout are gathering in the larger plunge pools and runs. To catch the bigger ones, keep an eye out for those deeper pockets. Happy fishing, and enjoy the solitude!

A basic Dry/Dropper rig will work fine, a big bushy rubber legged stimulator or the equivalent, with a red copper John underneath. Purple is another great color. Don’t forget about hoppers and ants in the afternoon when warmer air temperatures make them more active. Mayfly spinner fall has been on one day, and sparse the next. A few big Pale Evening spinners in the mid morning, and a resurgence of caddis during the day. It’s not necessary to be on the water early with these cooler temps, starting at 10am is fine.

If you don’t mind hauling two rods, bring a shorter and lighter dry fly rod for the dry dropper and a longer and lighter rod for tight line nymphing.

Riding the Downieville Downhill, the all-time best mountain bike trail in California

Downieville Downhill on Trailforks.com

Start with the Sunrise Trail

In the realm of trail adventures, the Sunrise Trail marks the starting point atop Packer Saddle, accessible through various shuttle options. It presents a delightful, flowing path, adorned with machine-crafted berms, albeit occasionally marred by skidding. To enhance the thrill, it boasts enticing tabletops and whoops.

On the left, an alternative trail emerges, known as Pack Saddle Loop, seamlessly merging with the Sunrise Trail. Both options offer similar amusement, yet the less frequented left route may hold superior condition, a hidden gem awaiting discovery.

Butcher Ranch Trail- what the tire is named after

Venturing into the treacherous terrain of Butcher Ranch, brace yourself for an onslaught of challenges. Here lies the apex of technical difficulty on the Downieville Downhill, encompassing treacherous rock gardens, capable of leaving your teeth clattering and wrists aching.

The upper portion of Butcher Ranch, while more serene, commences with a series of switchbacks through the forest and open scrubland, presenting an exquisite visual feast. Embrace the scenic beauty and savor the moment at a leisurely pace.

Descending to lower Butcher Ranch elevates the intensity, introducing sections replete with devious rock gardens, including the formidable Waterfall, among the most formidable obstacles along the entire trail.

As you near the conclusion of Butcher Ranch, the rugged rock gardens give way to loamy earth and playful switchbacks meandering through captivating forests. Upon completing the switchbacks, a dash of technical climbing and narrow sidehill traversal with exposed edges awaits. However, after surmounting these challenges, a smooth journey ensues, culminating in a modest climb to Third Divide.

Third Divide, heavenly dirt

Welcome to the realm of Third Divide, where exhilaration reaches its zenith, courtesy of velocity and fluidity. However, tread cautiously, for the play of dappled light through the forest canopy obscures features and rocks, leading to harrowing encounters with the unexpected. My personal experience attests to several heart-stopping moments on Third Divide, where hidden rocks and roots caught me off guard.

For most adventurers, Third Divide stands as the pinnacle of the Downieville Downhill, providing an abundance of joyous escapades. Yet, be mindful of the conclusion—a steep and treacherously loose descent leading to the river, where a bridge awaits. Exercise restraint in maintaining your speed, as it is all too easy to surrender control in this particular stretch.

Upon concluding the thrill ride on Third Divide, a gentle descent along a dirt road ensues for just under a mile, followed by a well-timed right turn onto First Divide. Should you find yourself pedaling up a substantial incline on the road, you have inadvertently surpassed your intended destination.

First Divide, easing up with nice river views

First Divide serves as a fusion of Butcher Ranch, Third Divide, and a sprinkle of cross-country pedaling. While certain rocky features pose a challenge, an abundance of flow and speed awaits. Along much of the trail, the tumultuous currents of Lavezzola Creek gracefully parallel your path on the right, occasionally revealing the grandeur of massive cliffs. Stay vigilant and keep your gaze affixed to the trail, averting any unnecessary mishaps.

Finally, First Divide brings the Downieville Downhill to its conclusion, punctuated by a series of brief yet steep ascents. At this juncture, the town once again beckons, offering the opportunity for another exhilarating round.

Downieville E-MTB: The Perfect E-Bike Ride for Intermediate Riders.

You don’t need to pay for a shuttle in Downieville to get some great riding in. This trail is excellent for a e-mtb bike or excellent for a strong rider on an analog bike. The trail is challenging but not so much that you’ll need a helicopter rescue. This 25 mile, out and back will be rewarding

Find the parking lot at the end of Durgan Flat Way. It’s 1/4 West of the courthouse. The trail starts right there. It follows the North Yuba for a quarter mile, then you climb into the forest.

You’ll climb through some beautiful forest as you gain altitude with some fun switchbacks. When you get to a bridge, take a break and cool off. The creek is spring fed, so it’s cold and chills that little area.

From the bridge, continue on traversing the slope to your decent. This is the first of three excellent descents… watch your speed and call out on blind corners. The trail is skinny with a steep drops throughout – not a serious as the drops on 2nd Divide, but steep..

The Upper Section of the North Yuba Trail drops you onto The Old Toll Road in Good Years Bar. You’ll be back to the edge of the North Yuba. Go Left and follow the river flow into the tiny town of Good Years bar. At the stop sign go right across a bridge over the river and up to Highway 49. From here go Left for about a 1/4 mile.

Look for the road marker 11.92 a seen below. The trailhead to St Charle Hill can be seen in the right side of the photo. Take this skinny trail up to find some Golden Singletrack. Some of the local elitist riders have somehow forced this trail off of trailforks. Some of these guys claimed building the trail…they may have cleaned it, but they didn’t build it. We all own this property. Enjoy it.

A short distance will bring you to a unique sign made from chainsaw parts. Go Right here. Thanks to the dirt bikers that put this trail in. In the Fall of 2021 I helped some local MTB boys clear some of the upper section of fallen trees. It take a village to raise a trail.

If you want to grab some GPS information, take a look at the Strava link below. It also has a video of a Black Bear that I found near the top of St Charles Hill and some photos. It’s a great ride- Do It.

Also, in this Spring of 2023, the fishing is junk due to the massive runoff. You can catch fish but it is not productive and walking around the river right now is pain as well as dangerous.

If Strava isn’t you jam, below is a link to Ride with GPS info. Hope this helps you enjoy you time in the Lost Sierra.

An excellent wallet

Carrying a hyperlight minimalist wallet when fly fishing brings a bunch of awesome benefits that’ll make your fishing adventures even more enjoyable! First off, these wallets are super compact and lightweight, making them incredibly easy to carry around. No more lugging around a bulky wallet that weighs you down or gets in the way of your smooth casting and river navigation. With a hyperlight wallet, you’ll have the freedom to move effortlessly and comfortably on the water.

Another fantastic perk is that these wallets are designed to hold just the essentials, keeping things simple and organized. You’ll have enough space for your fishing license, ID, a couple of credit cards, and some cash – all in a neat and tidy package. Say goodbye to the hassle of digging through multiple compartments or dealing with unnecessary clutter. With a minimalist wallet, you’ll have everything you need within reach without any extra fuss.

And let’s not forget about the durability factor! These wallets are built to withstand the elements, providing water-resistant or waterproof protection for your valuables. Whether it’s a splash, a little spray, or an accidental dip in the water, your belongings will stay safe and dry. Made from top-notch materials like nylon, these wallets are designed to take on the great outdoors and keep your important documents secure and damage-free.

In a nutshell, carrying a hyperlight minimalist wallet while fly fishing is a total game-changer. It offers the perfect blend of convenience, organization, and protection, so you can focus on what really matters – landing that trophy fish and enjoying every moment of your fishing journey. So grab yourself a minimalist wallet and get ready for stress-free and exciting fishing adventures!

wallet review

Get Rich Gold Panning in Downieville

Sell Gold Panning Equipment.

If you look closely, the only people that are telling you that prospecting is a money maker are the people that make money off of your efforts. These people are selling accommodations, goods, and food. Are they spending long days hunched over a wet hole in the ground?

Gold panning is a popular activity for people who enjoy the outdoors and the prospect of finding a valuable treasure. However, for most people, gold panning is a waste of time and money.

The odds of finding gold while panning are very slim. In fact, most people who pan for gold never find any gold at all. Even if you do find some gold, it is usually only a small amount. The amount of gold that you can find by panning is not enough to make a profit.

In addition to being a waste of time, gold panning can also be dangerous. Gold panning can be done in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. These bodies of water can be dangerous, especially if they are fast-moving or contain strong currents. Gold panning can also lead to injuries, such as cuts and bruises.

The only people who benefit from gold panning are the people who sell gold panning equipment. These companies make a lot of money selling equipment to people who are hoping to find gold. However, the vast majority of people who buy gold panning equipment never find any gold.

If you are thinking about trying gold panning, I would advise against it. Gold panning is a waste of time and money. There are better ways to spend your time and money.

Here are some additional reasons why gold panning is a waste of time:

It is very labor-intensive. You will spend hours panning for gold, and you may never find any.
It is expensive. You will need to buy a gold pan, a shovel, and other equipment. You may also need to pay for a permit to pan in certain areas.
It is dangerous. You could get injured by sharp rocks or by the current in the water.
It is illegal in some areas. You should check with the local authorities before panning for gold.