ONCE AGAIN US DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY ABANDONS YET ANOTHER COMMUNITY
It is the complete Gross Negligence of the US Forestry Department that has caused untold damages to the forest and to many US Citizens.
It is the consequences of climate change that has caused unforeseen events and has put a small community located in the Shasta Forest in extreme danger. A few years ago, the intense fires in and around Mt Shasta created an inversion which heated up Mt Shasta.
For the small community of Mt Shasta Forest, located just 5 miles outside of the town of McCloud, CA formed in 1967, the glacier melting caused more water to flow with mud and sediment into Mud Creek. This event took out the small bridge that crossed the creek. In 2015-16 the US Forestry decided to build a new 1-million-dollar bridge on Pilgrim Creek Road and the road opened only to close in a couple of years.
Pilgrim Creek Road is a Shared maintenance road. Meaning that along with the US Forestry maintaining the road several others are responsible for maintenance. The Logging companies absorb the most expense. According to the road maintenance shared agreement allotted to Pilgrim Creek the Department of Forestry did NOT fulfill their lawful responsibility by maintaining the road and the flow of Mud Creek. The consequence of this decision is that the bridge became a dam and the stream diverted onto the road and into the forest. If the US Forestry had dredged and cleared the obstructions, the creek would have been able to flow.
Instead of dealing quickly with the issue the US Department of Forestry did nothing and thus caused the silt and mud to flow over a one third mile of Pilgrim Creek Rd. flowing out into the forest. The density of the sediment that flowed will eventually kill all the trees in its huge path. The creek also sustains many wildlife including the fish which McCloud is famous for. By ignoring this situation, the US Forestry has caused an environmental disaster.
For the community of Mt Shasta Forest this has had devastating consequences. California State Law SB99 was passed by California State Legislators and signed by the Governor. SB 99 states that 2 emergency access routes need to be present in the event of an evacuation. By the US Forestry closing Pilgrim Creek Rd they look away one of the two entrance and exit routes for the community. At this point there is only one way in and out of the subdivision and that is Esperanza which is a category 2 four-wheel drive road. Pilgrim Creek is a category 5 hard surface road.
According to 36 CFR subpart A – Administration of the Forest Transportation System, US Department of Forestry is responsible to maintain all US Forest roads in a safe manner.
Along with the residents in the Mt Shasta Forest many other communities and recreational tourists have been affected by the closure of Pilgrim Creek Rd to access PUBLIC LAND.
Native Peoples from the Wintun Nation to sacred burial grounds
- Logging companies
- Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park
- ATV and OHV Clubs
- Hikers
- Fisherman
- Campers
- Horseback Riding Clubs
- Mountain Bikers
- Permitted users: Mushroom gatherers, Christmas trees, firewood cutters
We have spoken to the Department of Emergency Services who is aware of how dangerous a situation exists. Not only is Esperanza considered dangerous, but the road makes it very difficult for emergency service vehicles. Recently it took one hour for an ambulance to get to a resident in the community and one hour out to get to a hospital due to the horrible condition of Esperanza.
We have been in contact with Congressman La Malfa’s office who is aware of the situation. We are in contact with Ranger Carolyn Napper, who coincidentally is the person who decided against maintaining Pilgrim Creek Road and eventually closing the road. We have spoken to County Supervisor Brandon Criss and with Director Bryan Schenone, Department of Emergency Services.
On March 14, 2023 we spoke with Kelly Noland, US Forestry, Engineering Department, Mc Cloud, he had access to $100, 000 to purchase gravel if we the citizens of the Mt Shasta Forest would hire the equipment to spread the rock on Esperanza. This of course is nothing but a temporary bandage. In our opinion the money could be used to dredge and clean up the 1/3 mile of Pilgrim Creek Rd. When you consider the long-term environmental effects of just abandoning a hard surface road and a million dollar newly constructed bridge this seems irresponsible. If you look at the approximate cost 1.5 million dollars to pave Esperanza this does not add up at all.
As concerned citizens and as members of the Mt Shasta Forest HOA we are very concerned for our SAFETY as there seems to be no resolution in sight. In looking at other communities abandoned by the US Department of Forestry we are very worried and justifiably so. We need only to look at the town of Paradise to see what can happen in the event of a fire. We have been encouraged to write letters on our own behalf. But honestly it is easy to ignore situations until there is a disaster like what occurred in the town of Paradise where many lost their lives, homes, and their town.
We are probably left with only one course of action and that is to request a Congressional Investigation into the Gross Negligence on the part of US Department of Forestry and Shasta Trinity National Forest’s failure to adhere to 36 CFR as well as CA SB 99.
This letter was written by a volunteer group of residents in the Mt Shasta Forest independent of the homeowner’s association.
Respectively yours,
The citizens of Mt Shasta Forest