SDF letter

February 23, 2004

Senator McPherson

State Capitol
Room 2054
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Proposed Staff and Budget Cuts at Soquel Demonstration Forest

Dear Senator McPherson,

I am writing on behalf of ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers) to express our concern about the planned budget and staff cuts at Soquel Demonstration Forest, a division of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Soquel forest is a popular recreation destination for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians from the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. There is strong community support and involvement in research, recreational and educational programs. ROMP is one of the many organizations that are active within the forest. ROMP leads rides that are open to all members of the public at least once a month. ROMP volunteers regularly participate in the trail maintenance programs organized by the Stewards of Soquel Forest. In addition, ROMP has a group of trained volunteer mountain bike patrollers that support the foresters by providing first aid, assistance, education and information to all trail users (mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians). In the last year ROMP has donated over 500 hours of volunteer time and labor to the State and Community.

We have learned the California Department of Forestry plans to drastically reduce the staff of Soquel Forest from Forest Manager, Assistant Forest Manager, Forestry Assistant, Office Staff and Seasonal Forest Aides to one half-time employee. We are concerned that this reduction in staff may mean closure of the forest to the community. Soquel Demonstration Forest was on target to become a self-sustaining forest unit through its 2004 timber harvest plan. If the timber harvest plan were implemented the forest would not need State funding, and staff cuts could be avoided. However, without adequate staffing the timber harvest plan will not be realized, the forest will not become self sufficient and a popular destination for research, recreation and education may be lost to the community.

We ask you to protect our popular community programs by preventing staff cuts at Soquel Demonstration Forest, at no net cost to the State of California.

Sincerely,

Claire Nippress

Vice President, ROMP