Dear Mill Creek Cabin Owners,

You may have received a letter recently from the US Forest Service outlining their plans for the “MCSHA LassenHeadwaters 2024.” (this is a big file, give it some time). The scoping plan outlines the purpose, need and proposed actions to enhance forest and ecosystem quality and fire resilience in our area. It also addresses fire preparedness and protection in local communities like Mill Creek.

The Mill Creek Summer Homeowners Association (MCSHA) Board members have been in contact with Forest Service District Ranger, Russell Nickerson, as this plan was under development. Now that it is released, there is a period of public comment, during which time local “stakeholders” – such as property owners – are encouraged to provide feedback to the Forest Service on proposed actions. We indicated to Mr. Nickerson that we would circulate the plan to cabin owners for review.

The document is long, detailed and technical. I encourage you to read relevant portions of the document and provide feedback to the Forest Service as you see fit. The portions dealing with community fire preparedness are found on pages 49-55. But there may be other sections that interest you. There is one major event for public comment on the plan – a zoom meeting on November 14 at 5:30 pm.

West Lassen Headwaters Landscape Restoration Project

Virtual only public meeting information:

November 14, 2024, at 5:30 to 6:30 pm Pacific Standard Time

Zoom meeting through the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Join Zoom Meeting link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89245473759 Meeting

ID: 892 4547 3759

The letter from the US Forest Service also suggests other means of commenting, via email or postal mail by December 2.

The Board encourages your participation in this process. Please do so as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Mill Creek community, as opinions regarding the project may vary among our neighbors.

The Forest Service was very responsive to our concerns about protecting our water supply immediately after the recent Park Fire. Forest Service representatives worked to create physical barriers to reduce erosion and downed hazardous trees in the vicinity of the Tamarack water tanks. We are grateful for this work. And we are grateful for the efforts of first responders from CalFire and the Forest Service for the extraordinary efforts to protect our community.

If you have questions about the planned activities, these are best directed to the Forest Service. Your Board is very alert to the need to continue our efforts to make Mill Creek a “fire wise” community. We will continue to work with local agencies – county, state and federal – to reduce our risk of fire consistent with maintaining the beauty and tranquility of our community.

Sincerely,

Bill Loker, Secretary Mill Creek Summer Homeowners Association