Dear Chairman and Board of Directors:

Discussion

The highlight of 2004 was our partnership with the Northern California Chapter to host the Western Regional Conference in Truckee. It was an experience I will not soon forget. For those of you who have never hosted a conference, caution: It is NOT easy but it IS rewarding! Attached to this report are my post-conference thoughts of lessons learned and ideas of how to make hosting a conference an easier process.

Progress for the preservation of lookouts continues to be made here in Central California. Several lookouts are in the process of restoration including Signal Peak, Sierra NF; Buck Rock, Sequoia NF; Breckenridge; Sequoia NF; Park Ridge, Kings Canyon NP; and Alder Ridge, Eldorado NF. I learned that Slate Mountain Lookout on the Eldorado NF was removed in 2003 and as far as I know, without FFLA knowledge. Baltic Peak, also on the Eldorado and the subject of much discussion, is still standing in place. In my last conversation with District Ranger Kathy Hardy (November 2004), we discussed possible options to the removal of the lookout to a fairground. But, vandalism to Baltic still remains the unsolved issue.

The future disposition of CDF lookouts in Central California still remains an unknown. However, after hearing that CDF lookouts were not going to be staffed, it was a nice surprise to learn that several CDF lookouts were utilized for fire detection in 2004.

Membership

- Chapter Membership = 35 paid members, up from 25 members last year.
- Chapter Account = $825.95, up from $282.07 last year.

These numbers are very encouraging! The distribution of brochures, holding community meetings, and participating in events helped increase our numbers.

Accomplishments

- Researched and compiled a list of the remaining lookouts and their disposition in Central California and Nevada.

- Made contact with most of the Forest and many of the State supervisors of lookouts.

- Submitted NHLR nominations of lookouts on the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests.

- FFLA/Buck Rock Foundation Lookout Booth at Whiskey Flat Days in Kernville, CA. Hundreds of people visited our booth; learned how to use our "pretend" fire finder; and signed up as volunteers to work at lookouts. We distributed bi-lingual hand-outs made for children and adults (gratis Mary Ann Evans, Tobias Lookout) as well as FFLA brochures.

- FFLA/Buck Rock Foundation hosted a week in May called "Focus on Fire Lookouts". We organized meetings and field trips to local lookouts with agencies, community leaders, other non-profit organizations and interested individuals. This also included a luncheon honoring past Sequoia lookouts, who came out of the woodwork in droves! Our National Chairman, Keith Argow, very generously donated his time to come out and participate in these events.

- Distributed FFLA brochures to all Sequoia and Sierra NF districts and FFLA members throughout our Chapter.

- Co-hosted the FFLA Western Regional Conference in Truckee, CA.

- Buck Rock Foundation honored by USFS Region 5 as the "Outstanding Non-Profit Partner of the Year" for our lookout preservation work.

- FFLA/Buck Rock Foundation participated in the Celebrate Sequoia Festival in Kings Canyon National Park. More distribution of FFLA brochures and information about lookout preservation.

Lookout News Around the Chapter

- Alder Ridge Lookout, ENF - 2004 PIT project with the cabin restored for use as a recreation rental

- Bunker Hill Lookout, ENF - Talk of utilizing volunteers to staff the lookout 2005.

- Signal Peak Lookout, SNF - Continued restoration of lookout - Completed 2004: Siding was replaced; new drip ledge installed on south wall; replaced dry rotted framing on south wall; window trim was replaced; propane system was upgraded to code; deck was repaired; the entire exterior has been painted a historical white w/ green trim; the old Linoleum was removed, there was not any asbestos underneath the masonite and new ceramic tile was installed; replaced the baseboard on the interior; all windows were re-puttied; new kitchen faucet.

- Buck Rock Lookout, SQF - Continued restoration of lookout - Updated lightning protection system, removal of asbestos floor (new floor to be installed 2005), volunteer lookouts continue to help support staffing.

- Breckenridge Lookout, SQF - Continued restoration of lookout - Updated electrical system, repaired trap door, partially replaced rotten catwalk, began work on updated potable water system.

- Bald Mountain Lookout, SQF - Continued restoration of lookout - Updated propane lighting system, completed lightning protection system repair, installed new potable water system, installed benches along rehabbed trail.

- Park Ridge Lookout, KCNP - Re-opened lookout after 9 years of closure. Staffed with volunteers from Buck Rock Foundation. Updated lightning protection system, replaced electrical system. Updates to continue 2005

- Delilah Lookout, SQF - Discussion about taking the lookout out of fire detection for use as a recreation rental.

- Baker Point Lookout, SQF - Discussion about taking the lookout out of fire detection for use as a recreation rental. Discussion about transferring ownership from Hot Springs Ranger District to the Cannell Meadow Ranger District for fire detection use. More discussion to come!

- Martis Peak Lookout, Tahoe NF - Continued rehab for use as a fire detection location as well as a "warming hut" open to the public during the winter month.

For more information about the status of all lookouts in this chapter, please see attached report.

Goals for 2005

- Continue to advocate for preservation of lookouts - continue to contact the "powers that be" to keep open the lines of communication between FFLA and agencies.

- Submit NHLR nominations where appropriate.

- Buck Rock Foundation proposal to staff Delilah Lookout with volunteers full time for fire detection submitted to Sequoia National Forest.

- Buck Rock Foundation to "officially" partner with Kings Canyon NP to staff Park Ridge with fulltime volunteer staffing 2005. Plans to hold a "Grand Re-opening Ceremony" at Park Ridge with PR.

- Continue distribution of FFLA brochures (when available) with the goal of getting new members and increasing public awareness.

Submitted by Kathryn Ball