Why we are opposed to the JH Planned Development Plan Amendment (April 2012)
JH Ranch has applied for a Planned Development Amendment Plan Amendment (PDPA) to increase the amount of land zoned in the Planned Development (PD) District from 79 acres to 202 acres and to modify the existing PD District's narrative to accommodate the JH Ranch's existing and future operations. The proposed PDPA is an amendment to PDPA (Z-93-11)(PDPA page 1 1.0 Intent)
Downey Brand (attorneys LLP) in a memorandum to Greg Plucker of the Planning Commission (dated April 4, 2012)
Analysis (reads as follows): IV. Analysis A. Because the Only Evidence Regarding the Impact of Increased Occupancy on Land Use Compatibility Favors the Ranch, The PDPA should be approved as is or with a maximum occupancy limit of 1,600 people (PDPA page 156)
The "Friends of French Creek" agree that there are multiple significant environmental, zoning, rural character, and quality of life impacts that completely preclude the project. These negative impacts would affect not only French Creek, but also the entire Scott Valley. We believe that the current level of the JH operations vastly exceeds those that are permitted and that the county should comply with the 2008 Siskiyou County Grand Jury recommendation to issue a cease and desist order for the illegal uses currently taking place. It would negatively affect the entire Scott Valley by increasing traffic, utilizing public services, potentially decreasing water quality and quantity, and overwhelming recreational and wild-land sites.
This PDPA is No Longer applicable. A New PDPA has been submitted to the county as of March 2016. It will be reviewed at our next FOFC meeting on April 28th. See Upcoming events for more information.
Add Description here.
Critical Deer Wintering Range
The Scott Valley Area Plan states: Intense development of critical deer wintering areas and the resulting man-related problems, such as domestic dogs, fences, and man's very presence, will greatly deplete deer herds by destroying a critical part of the deer life cycle. (page 6, paragraph 2/SVAP)
Development Goal #2 (SVAP): In order to protect an important recreational economic resource of the Scott Valley Watershed, Siskiyou County and the State of California, critical deer wintering ranges shall be protected from an intensity or density of development that will destroy these areas suitability as deer wintering ranges. (page 7, paragraph 2/SVAP)
Water
Development Goal#5 (SVAP): In order to maintain high water quality and prevent erosion and surface water runoff problems, the mountainous regions of the Scott Valley Watershed shall be excluded from any intense or dense development. Page 8, paragraph 5/SVAP)
JH lies at the headwaters of French Creek. It is the home of at least three anadromous fish including the Coho Salmon (an endangered species) rearing and spawning in French Creek. French Creek is a high priority for critical period water purchases by the Scott River Water Trust. Many of the JH wells lies in very close proximity to the creek and there has been no study to determine whether in-stream flows are affected.
French Creek is a beautiful mountain stream that is one of the primary creeks draining from the Northern California's eastern slope of the Russian Wilderness. It joins Scott River, which then flows into the Klamath River and runs unimpeded all the way to the Pacific Ocean. During the summer farms use the water to irrigate their fields, and year round it provides critical aquatic habitat. At least three anadromous fish populations spawn in French Creek.
Traffic
French Creek Rd and area surrounding and Forest Service roads are mountainous, curvy roads. French Creek Rd narrows in places such as this location in the photo, just before the second bridge. Concerns exist over traffic increases in terms of safety, traffic noise, and road conditions, and quality of life.
Some residents have experienced hazardous conditions exiting their driveways onto French Creek Rd. Others have seen caravans of cars traveling on adjacent dirt roads with excessive speed and overcrowding trailheads.
What are the impacts of potential erosion issues on the decomposed granite areas because of trails and ATV usage? Drivers unfamiliar with narrow mountain roads can create increased hazardous conditions for daily and emergency use vehicles.
The road conditions for winter add additional hazardous conditions such as drivers being caught off-guard by icy conditions when entering a blind curve on a shady section of mountain road.
Noise
Neighbors as far as 4 miles from the JH operation report routinely hearing the "Big Top" noise. This being an indication that the routine operational noise levels at the JH exceed the decible threshold.
Fire and Emergency
JULY COMPLEX FIRE INFORMATION
EVACUATION ADVISORY (This situation made the concerns REAL)
Effective 3 pm, August 12, 2014, the July Complex Incident Commander has requested an Evacuation Advisory be issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office for residents of the Scott Valley, French Creek and Sugar Creek areas. This is for residents west of Highway 3, between French Creek Road and Sugar Creek Road including Miners Creek Road, Homestead Lane, Squaw Gulch Road, Azalea Dr, N French Creek Road, Horse Range Lane, French Creek Ct. and any other side roads not listed here. Residents should be prepared to evacuate should fire conditions worsen.
An evacuation center has been established at Ft. Jones Jr High School at 237 Butte Street, in Ft Jones Ca not at the Jackson Street School.
To stay informed on fire conditions please call the Klamath National Forest Fire Information Center at (530) 841-4451 or visit Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4035/
Grand Jury Findings Not Honored (click on the photo for the entire document)
RECOMMENDATIONS: The of Board of Supervisors should issue a cease and desist order that occupancy shall not exceed the 136 occupancy level at the JH ranch until a full review of environmental, noise, traffic, safety, and all other issues noted in the County Planning Director's letter dated November 30,2006 are resolved.
RESPONSES REQUIRED: The board of Supervisors and the Director of Public Health and Community Development respond regarding the alleged violations by the JH ranch and the proposed cease and desist order.