1. Reconstruction of slopes and replanting We need to know the plan for reconstruction of the slopes on Banner. There at least needs to be a plan to do something NOW before the rainy season sets in. We need to know the timing of reconstruction--I don't think we should have to wait until the entire project is done. They can do some things while they move along--at least to help with erosion.
a. We need to know the plan/timing for vegetation reconstruction. There is some confusion in the MMRP's and with what we were told by NID. It would be great if we could talk to NID reconstruction team--do they have one? The MMRP's said they should.
b. We were told that the "footprint" would be small----that the reconstruction plan will eventually make us whole again. (Nothing will do that!) With a project of this magnitude it will take a good reconstruction landscaper and understanding crew to make this happen to some level of satisfaction to us and following the MMRP's
c. The MMRP only talks about replacing large trees with a ratio of smaller trees. It also talks about seeding. It is not clear to me about the seed mixture--we need to make this clearer--no grasses! In other places in the MMRP it talks about replacing landowners landscaping only. It does not say what happens on county roads. I think we need a detailed plan as to what the intention is to replace natural vegetation too. Do we want that on the county roads? Do we have any say or is up to the homeowners along the road?
NOTE: We need to be sure to video tape Wings and other roads BEFORE they go down them. We would then have information to talk about with NID.
d. When they come to CLEAR CUT the easement (both permanent and temporary) on Wings we need to be guaranteed that they will replace natural vegetation too as well as rebuild our slopes on BOTH the temporary easements and permanent easements. Rebuilding the slopes also means replanting--and not just with the small trees that they will be putting in to replace the almost 100 year old trees that they are taking out. We need replanting of the natural vegetation or replanting of similar native plants. This will help compensate the loss of the big trees and help us deal with the way different look of our environment.
I know we accepted that our beautiful mountain won't look the same. I know we focus on the positive of the project--- treated water, fire hydrants, but we also need to hold them accountable for replanting our slopes with natural vegetation. We also need to hold them to the right type of seed mixture. If I am wrong here please someone help me to understand. . . I think we need to revisit the MMRP on replanting, rebuilding the slopes and come up with what we want. NO spraying with grass seed! But what about spraying with a mixture of "natural" grasses and native plants? This is very confusing in the MMRP's--wording seems convoluted and different on the various sections of the route.
3. Tree Canopy: I am very concerned about the canopy on the side of the road where they leave trees. As on Banner and on Lee, there construction crews take lots of room to turn around vehicles, etc. Those are very tall machines out there. Will they need to cut back the canopy on the rest of Lee Wings (For Wings one side will be lost totally due to easements.) If they cut back canopy too much we will loose all shade and will have more snow accumulation. Plus the look of the area will be even more barren and stark compared to our forested tree lined streets. I am also concerned about cutting the canopy too severally will damage the remaining trees. We need a qualified arborist to talk to us about these type of concern so a plan can be in place.
4. Fire danger---with the tree canopy and surrounding grasses. We need a plan that is safe, yet doesn't force them to clear any more or cut back canopy too much. Can they use any smaller machines when they come down Wings?
We need to hold them to the MMRP's re: fire precautions--smoking of workers, sparks from machines, and water trucks where they should be. . .
5. Easements: I don't think NID realized how much room they really need. Brian P and crew kept telling us not to be concerned---between leaving one side of the easement and replanting....but from what we have seen on Banner and Lee who are they kidding when they look at Wings? We need to talk about this big time! Can we get more Wings of Morning/Clipper Creek folks to express their concerns too? If they go out of the easements they will need to do a new CEQA.
6. Gravel: What is all the gravel that is lying around on the edges of the road on Banner past where they have already been. That needs cleaned up before the rains start. It should NOT be left to help rebuild the slopes. It is not natural. .
7. Road condition for the winter: Is anyone concerned about the road condition on Banner/Lee. Are they planning anything to improve the roads? Will the current condition impact snow removal equipment?
8. Big machinery: I guess the county allows them to leave the big equipment and pieces along the road at night and on weekends. I feel sorry for the folks on Lee. I also understand the work move it to approved storage stations--yet I do believe what they are doing is in violation of MMRP? Anyone want to look into this? We will need to know the plan for Wings---can you imagine a whole summer with this going on next year?
9. Ombudsman: We need a job description of the ombudsman and we need to think about what we want from them. They need to be proactive. Frankly, I don't think they are doing anything to help the public/homeowners.
10. Communication: The bulletin board don't work very well because we have to get out of our cars to pull information off. They are out of date. The web site should be updated WEEKLY or with ANY major changes. Last time it was updates was Aug. 24.
11. Weekend work: At least twice they have worked on Saturdays. It was posted on bulletin boards, small print, on some bulletin boards. We need a better way of communicating with the public. With all this blog, face book, etc technology--there should be a better way. When I got stopped last Saturday at 8:30 (making me 20 minutes late for an important meeting.) The traffic person said they thought there would be less traffic. When I came home on Saturday, there were over 15 cars waiting to go through. They don't know life up here on the mountain very well. .
The MMRP's state they have to ask permission of homeowners to work on Saturdays--I wonder if they did with the poor folks. . . I understand the need to work on Saturdays sometimes--they just need to work on better communication so we can plan.
12. Big boards---did anyone notice that it says until Sept. 17? Is that a misprint--should it say Oct. 17?
13. MMRP's: I am still wondering about differences in format between the MMRP's that were in the FEIR/Settlement and the MMRP's on the website. My Brian is going to take a look at them--makes me nervous as to who wrote the new format for the contractor and what could have gotten left out and mis-communicated. To keep things the same they should have used the exact same wording in the FEIR/Settlement. Anyone else looking into this? Maybe we need to add this one to the list of for Marsha to look at.
14. Other agencies/policies: Throughout the MMRP's, NID refers to following the policies, best practices, etc. of other agencies. How do we get copies of these to be sure they are in compliance?
