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The Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts of Inyo National Forest and the north zone for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Bishop Field Office are planning to implement several prescribed fire projects for habitat improvement and hazardous fuels reduction in the upcoming fall and winter months. Smoke may be visible at times from Highways 395, 158, 167, 120 and 203 as well as from the communities of  Mono City, Lee Vining, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes and Crowley Lake.

Prescribed fire projects are expected to begin in mid-October with understory burning at several locations, including east of U.S. 395 at Deadman Summit, south of Hwy 120 near Big Sand Flat, and in the vicinity of Pilot Spring. Following the first fall snow storms, slash pile burning will be conducted, and is expected to continue into December or possibly January. Pile burning is planned on national forest lands in the Mono City area, in the Down Canyon area of June Lake, west of 395 near Wilson Butte, east of Deadman Summit near the CalTrans Crestview Station, around the Crestview Rest Stop on 395, east near Lookout Mountain, north of Smokey Bear Flat, and along Hwy 203 east of Mammoth Lakes. Shrubland burning may occur in late winter to the west of Mono Craters Scenic Overlook.

Prescribed burn operations will be conducted when weather and fuel conditions are within prescription to safely accomplish the project objectives. For more information, contact Sue Farley, Interagency Vegetation Management Planner at 760.924.5535.

On Tuesday, as the Mono County Board of Supervisors prepared to send a letter to Inyo National Forest Supervisor Ed Armenta regarding June Mountain and the Forest Service’s letter of non-compliance to Mammoth Mountain, Forest Service District Ranger Jon Regelbrugge stepped up to the podium.

Regelbrugge announced that the Forest Service’s letter of non-compliance had been sent to MMSA on Friday, Sept. 28. The letter is the legal document stating that MMSA is not in compliance with its FS special use permit because it is not operating June Mountain this winter.

On Wednesday, Mammoth Mountain CEO Rusty Gregory told The Sheet that the letter had been received.

“Our next steps will be to respond to the request for plans,” Gregory said. There are two plans being requested, he said. The first is a winter plan, which some have described as the “non-operating plan” but which Gregory described as the “plan for operations in the case of suspended operations.”

The second plan is a milestone one for how MMSA will come back into compliance and operate June Mountain successfully into the future.

“The process of revocation is a long-term thing,” Regelbrugge told The Sheet on Thursday. “Nothing will change with the permit in the short-term while we wait for MMSA’s plans.”

Supervisor Vikki Bauer added on Tuesday that MMSA’s first right of refusal on the Rodeo Grounds property expires in March, but Gregory stated that the first right of refusal does not have an expiration date.

And while MMSA works on its plans, the June Lake community continues to work on plans of its own.

Community members, as well as members of the Mono County Tourism and Film Commission and the Mono County Economic Development Department attended Tuesday’s meeting to present and defend, if necessary, their plans for using the $100,000 granted to the community by the County.

After some recent back and forth between a large portion of the community and a few June Lake Chamber members, including Supervisor Bauer, those presenting may not have known what to expect, especially since Supervisor Hap Hazard had suggested a few weeks ago that some of the money be taken back.

Commission Chair Jimmy Little started the conversation off by explaining to the Board that the overall plan for the money “is not polished. The details still need to be worked out, but it’s a package. We’re trying to provide an experience, not just a bridge.”

Hazard was impressed by the group’s determination to reinvent itself outside of a ski area.

“Independence from the Mountain is your long-term survival,” he expressed.

Supervisor Bauer, who was in the middle of the Chamber storm a few weeks ago, clarified her position.

“Thank you all for your work,” she said. “The press has not been kind to me lately, but I’m not attacking this work. We just have a fundamental difference of opinion because I think that part of the money should be used for a long-term solution. The talk today is losing focus, which needs to be on reopening June Mountain. The long-term plan needs a ski area and the right development on the Rodeo Grounds.”

Double Eagle co-owner and June Lake Revitalization Committee member Connie Black said that there is a group within the Committee dedicated to finding a buyer and is “aggressively working on this issue.”

“We’re on the same page with this,” Black said to Bauer.

Ralph Lockhart, Double Eagle owner with Black and another member of the Committee added that discussions have been held with Carl Williams (former June Mountain General Manager) regarding June Mountain priorities. According to Williams, snowmaking is a priority for success at June Mountain. Water will be critical to this and to any development on the Rodeo Grounds and needs to be found.

In the short-term, however, the community plans to move forward with its marketing, events and transportation plans.

As part of these plans the community has been trying to find places to expand the opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other non-downhill snow experiences. Many of the options, however, have been struck down. The only place remaining on the table for expansion of these activities is down canyon on 31.5 acres of the Double Eagle property, which then connects to 30 or 40 acres of Forest Service land, according to Lockhart.

Lockhart and Black are exploring the possibility of having the Double Eagle spend the money for a groomer (approximately $18,000), as well as the gas, drivers and maintenance (approximately $15,000) required. They requested that $5,000 from the County’s $100,000 potentially be earmarked to pay them back for a small portion of their investment. However, Lockhart stated on Tuesday that if another option became viable for the $5,000, or if the reimbursement idea were unpopular the idea would be taken off the table.

While the Supervisors were supportive of Double Eagle’s willingness to pitch in, the idea raised several questions.

First, there was a concern over liability issues that may be connected to the reimbursement of the $5,000. Bauer and Supervisor Tim Hansen pointed out that people wanting to access the area from Double Eagle would need to walk along the highway about 100 yards.

Hansen, an ex-snowplow operator, pointed out that on that segment of Hwy 158, the plows are going pretty fast.

“I’m not saying anything negative, and I applaud the Double Eagle for pitching in, but it needs to be brought up as a liability if we reimburse the $5,000,” Hansen said.

Lockhart said the $5,000 reimbursement could be pulled off the table if it were a liability issue.

The other concern from the Board was the potential of overwhelming residents on Nevada Street if recreationists are looking to find parking to access the area.

“I like the idea of Double Eagle stepping up and creating a whole new avenue, but we have to try to find a balance from the County side,” Hazard said. “Nevada Street will be the most convenient place for people to park if they are not going to your place [Double Eagle]. We need to try to avoid a conflict.”

County Counsel Marshall Rudolph, however, pointed out that Nevada Street is not a County road.

“It’s a private road and we don’t have control over it, so it’s not an issue the County would get involved with,” Rudolph explained.

“What happens if the residents decide to make it gated,” Hazard asked.

“They could do that,” Rudolph responded, “and the County would have to choose whether or not to get involved.”

Lockhart added that it was his understanding that the first part of Nevada Street was a private road, but then the majority of it became a Forest Service road.

“That street is already being used to access the Forest Service meadow that was mentioned,” Lockhart added, which seemed to allay Hazard’s concerns.

“I just don’t want to throw Nevada Street under the bus, but if it’s already being used, then it’s not such a problem,” Hazard said.

Johnston had a different take on the issue. “I hope we do have a Nevada Street problem because that means there’s a lot of people there,” he said.

Black added that the Revitalization Committee did hold a meeting with the Nevada Street residents the Friday before the Board meeting. Following that meeting, she said that there were only two residents that she knew of that were still in opposition to the idea.

The majority of the Board seemed pleased with the plan at this point.

“This is what happens when you trust people to act in their own best interest,” Johnston said. “There are some things I don’t like [in the plan] but I’m not going to nitpick it.”

“The community is doing a god job,” Hansen added. “We shouldn’t micromanage them. Problems will be worked out as we go along.”

Bauer seemed upset at the end of the discussion and did not return to the meeting after lunch.

Business Improvement District to fund air service still being mulled

The concept of creating a Business Improvement District to help sustain air service subsidies isn’t a new one. This paper reported on the idea when Mammoth’s Airport Commission previously batted it around in December 2011. “ESAA [Eastern Sierra Air Alliance] hopes to bring the local business and homeowner community into the air subsidy mix. It will ask the community to support air service along with Mammoth Mountain [Ski Area], [Town of Mammoth Lakes] and Mono County. The idea has been thrown around in the past but has never been organized,” we wrote.

Given the Town’s rock-and-a-hard place financial situation, Mammoth Lakes Tourism Director John Urdi has revived the idea, though it’s still just an idea at this point. If a BID is ever formed, it would encompass a defined section of the town’s lodging and businesses community, adding a surcharge (i.e. 0.5% or some other amount) on a variety of transactions, including food and retail, that would be put toward air service, and ideally end Urdi’s need to scrounge for subsidy funding from a cash-strapped Town and a tight-fisted Mono County.

After weeks of lobbying for commitments, he was happy to get $85,000 of a $100,000 ask from the county’s Board of Supervisors, but is admittedly exhausted at the energy and time poured into the effort. “After it was over, I thought, ‘I really hope I never have to go through that again,” he recollected.

Don’t look for a charge of that kind appearing on receipts anytime soon, though. At the moment, Urdi said MLT’s legal representation has sent a draft proposal to the MLT Board of Directors for input and comments. One topic is whether a BID should have a steering committee formed to help organize it, one that would include representation from MMSA, and the lodging and business communities, which would be directly affected by implementation of a BID.

A clear BID benefit is what could be a sustained commitment to air service, derived from the roughly $1.2 million the BID might be capable of generating annually. Any remainder would likely be applied to marketing, though it might also be put aside for “rainy day” applications in the case of low snow years or other economic slow times. “We need sustainability, but also consistency in the funding structure, which we’ve never really had when it comes to air service,” Urdi pointed out.

On the other hand, what if any impact it would have on businesses is also a consideration. Creating a BID takes a simple majority of businesses that collectively generate at least 50 plus one percent of the community’s revenue. Obnviously, the bigger the businesses on board, the faster one gets to that figure. Once enough support has been mustered to create one, however, typically BIDs do not afford dissenting businesses a way to opt out. Any surcharge adopted would be mandatory across the board within the BID’s borders.

Currently, Urdi said there is no fixed surcharge rate and no particular delineation of boundaries, or even what types of businesses would be involved. “Our take on it right now is, ‘Don’t speculate on what it’s going to look like until we know what it’s going to look like,’” he advised the public. “It’s still in discovery mode, and there are lots of questions, lots of ideas to go through, including many we haven’t even though of yet.” He stressed that the business community and related stakeholder also haven’t yet had their say.

Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce President Brent Truax said he thinks the business community would be “cautions when it comes to looking at any type of BID proposal.” Truax added that a lot depends on the mediation [and MLLA settlement agreement] and how the result will play into a BID and impact the business community.

“Parts of the business community already contribute a lot of tax revenue, and if we are to consider a BID, we would want to make sure it’s equitable for everyone,” he said, pointing out that Mammoth is already one of the heaviest taxed municipalties in the state. Truax also expressed concerns as to how BID surcharges might affect visitors, and whether it would be the best idea to use a BID to make up for revenue that could be found elsewhere.

Urdi is expected to mention the BID during a presentation to the Airport Commission on Sept. 25, though he’s uncertain whether or not he’ll have new or updated information.

Rudder won’t bid
By Lunch 

In response to the story on page six regarding a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) to help subsidize commercial air service, I called Mall magnate Paul Rudder and asked him what he thought about the idea.

“That’s a terrific idea, Ted,” he said. “I’m sure the entire local business community will be very supportive.”

There was a pause on the line. I know Paul well enough so as to listen for the other shoe.

Drop.

I paraphrase the following, because Paul got a little amped up and started speaking more quickly. It went something like this. Ted, who in their right mind in this town would vote to tax themselves again, knowing that there is absolutely no guarantee, and in fact ample case history to suggest the money won’t be spent on what the Town promises it’s supposed to be used for. Any further tax increase proposed by this town is D.O.A.

A business owner along Old Mammoth Road who wished not to be identified said, and again I paraphrase: Why would I be in favor of taxing myself to support air service when 90% of that business will go to the Mountain and the Village? I’d rather spend my money trying to animate Old Mammoth Road … the ski and snowboard industry has been contracting for the past decade. One of the biggest ski and snowboard markets around is Southern California. Let’s allocate our resources marketing to/shoring up our base rather than wasting money chasing the elusive customers every other resort is chasing.

It’s official. The Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center located in the White Mountains of the Inyo National Forest is now open. The forest held a grand opening celebration Sept. 1 with 400 people in attendance.

Serving as Master of Ceremonies was John Louth, Manager of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Louth has been nominated by the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service for the national Gifford Pinchot Excellence in Interpretation and Conservation Education award for his work in the development of the new visitor center exhibits. The nomination also recognizes Louth’s 20 years of work in interpretation and conservation education and his contributions and assistance to many local communities, non-profits, tribes and other organizations in the development and delivery of interpretive services in the Eastern Sierra region.

Located at 10,000 feet elevation in the congressionally designated Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the new visitor center interprets to an international audience the significance of the oldest living trees on earth. The new building is entirely solar powered and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and was built to replace the old log cabin visitor center that was destroyed by arson fire in 2008.

The 2,500-square-foot visitor center, which was designed by Shah Kawasaki Architects from Oakland, Calif., features a high-beamed ceiling and is a rustic wood and stone design, reminiscent of some national park lodges. Inside the building visitors are treated to a 28-seat theater (where the film Living History is shown), a bookstore operated by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, an art gallery of Bristlecone art and interpretive exhibits that tell the story of the natural history of the ancient trees. Patio exhibits outside the building help after-hours visitors to understand how these trees live for so long and in such environmentally harsh conditions.

The grand opening celebration, hosted by the Inyo National Forest and the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, honored the many volunteers, donors, and supporters who contributed resources, time and energy in helping to make the reconstruction project possible. Artists and the Interpretive Association were recognized during the ceremony for all they have contributed over the past four years.

For more information about the Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center please go to the Inyo National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/inyo or call 760.873.2500.

Urdi makes little headway with Mono County Supes on air service subsidy 

“We’re looking for $100,000 from the Board, any questions,” Mammoth Lakes Tourism’s Executive Director and Eastern Sierra Air Alliance representative John Urdi asked the Mono County Board of Supervisors, jokingly, at the start of his air service subsidy presentation on Tuesday.

Urdi’s jovial attitude turned dour, however, by the end of the discussion when the majority of Board members were still unconvinced that an air service subsidy was the best use of County dollars.

“I feel like I’ve failed,” Urdi told the Board.

The biggest blow came from Supervisor Hap Hazard who stated that, while he hadn’t committed to any position yet, he would be carefully reviewing (during next week’s budget discussions) whether or not the subsidy dollars the County committed to air service last year should instead be used for June Lake this year.

“There’s only so much water in our bucket and June Lake is the priority,” Hazard said. “There’s still a strong sentiment in the County that we shouldn’t be involved in air service. Some people don’t even want to discuss the airport, let alone subsidies. It’s a huge hurdle to overcome.”

Urdi tried his best to sell the benefits of air service, pointing out that it brought $5.3 million of direct spending to Mono County (with $4.6 million being spent in Mammoth), but Supervisors Hazard, Larry Johnston and Tim Hansen remained skeptical.

“What’s your argument for County support even though Mammoth Mountain closed June Mountain,” Johnston asked.

“Summer air service is not a MMSA program,” Urdi stated. “When the subsidy is shared during the summer, MMSA only gets about 27 percent of the benefit. In winter, MMSA is paying 100 percent of the subsidy, and even then they aren’t capturing all that revenue.”

Urdi also pointed out that Mammoth is the economic engine of the County.

“[Air service] is a disproportionate benefit to Mammoth but property taxes in Mammoth float out to the rest of the county,” Urdi said.

“That’s a hard sell,” Johnston responded. “Property taxes are going down, why isn’t air service helping?”

“Property values are going down,” Urdi said. “Seventy-six people a day isn’t going to change that. The decline in property values here is less than the rest of the state.”

In reference to an earlier agenda item that the Board had reviewed (see story in this week’s paper), Urdi stated, “Air service brings in more than dog sledding.”

“You’re mixing apples and oranges,” replied Johnston.

“No, it’s dollars,” Urdi argued. “Air service brings you a seven time return on your dollars. Thirty-three percent of visitors would not be here without air service [would otherwise not come or be able to come unless they can fly].”

Johnston then questioned Urdi about the order in which the subsidy dollars were spent in the past.

“You used the County money first,” he questioned.

“In the first year, yes,” Urdi replied. This year, if the County commits dollars, Urdi said that money would be used to pay back a portion of the Town of Mammoth’s $325,000 loan against Measure U.

Board Chair Vikki Bauer said she was in support of the air subsidy if the County had the money.

“We’ll have to look at the budget,” Bauer said. (The Board reviews its entire budget next week.)

Ultimately, Urdi would like to see a consistent funding source for the air service subsidy in the form of a business development district so that he does not have to come back to different agencies and ask for money each year.

He also pointed out that educating the public on the benefits of air service for the entire County was a critical component of continuing to get air service off the ground.

Limited drive market

Following Urdi’s presentation, Mono County’s Economic Development Manager Alicia Vennos made a presentation on the County’s tourism highlights, successes and opportunities.

She kicked things off with a plug for air service.

“We are really limited by our drive market,” she explained. “They don’t stay as long or spend as international visitors.”

Vennos claimed that a visitor from China spends on average $6,000 per person, per trip.

“We need air service; it’s a great return on our investment,” she said.

Vennos went on to discuss other tourism aspects such as marketing.

“Our marketing is working,” she said. “For every dollar spent in print marketing we see $8.85 in return. For every dollar spent in web and social media marketing, we see $137 in return.”

Ed. note: These numbers were provided by an outside consultant … who must work for Facebook.

The Economic Development department is working on improving the County’ website including its mobile site.

“Our mobile device visits are up 386 percent, but our bounce rate is 73 percent so we need to work on that,” Vennos said. “Forty-three percent of visitors will go directly to a competitor’s mobile site if yours doesn’t work well.”

Another area of marketing that Vennos felt it was critical the County pursue was the film industry.

The recent filming of Tom Cruise’s “Oblivion” brought in $1 million in local expenditure, according to Vennos, and the average economic impact of a commercial made in the area is $25,000.

“We have to go after this,” Vennos said.

Areas that will be connected by D395. (Photo courtesy California Broadband Cooperative)

On Wednesday May 23, Forest Supervisor Ed Armenta signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Digital 395 Middle-Mile Project. The selected alternative is to install, operate, and maintain approximately 49 miles of underground fiber-optic cable on the Mammoth, Mono Lake, and White Mountain Ranger Districts of the Inyo National Forest, and is part of a 593-mile network of middle-mile fiber-optic cable and associated infrastructure from Barstow, Calif. to Reno, Nev.

The Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment are available for review at the Inyo National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 351 Pacu Lane in Bishop, or at http://digital395.com/environmental_assessment_final.html.

The decision is subject to appeal pursuant to regulations at 36 CFR 215. Appeals must be filed (postmarked) within 45 days of the date of publication of the legal notice of this decision.

The purpose of the Digital 395 Middle-Mile Project is to improve local internet services and provide diverse routing between northern and southern California and southern Nevada. Installation of the fiber-optic cable is expected to begin in the summer of 2012 and be completed in 2013.

Please contact Forest Planner Susan Joyce at 760.873.2516 if you have questions about the project or appeal procedures. -INF

The Forest Service has several comment periods and public meetings currently in the works. Read on to see how you can get involved.

Public meetings on Travel Management implementation

The Forest Service will be hosting two public meetings in the end of May to update the public on the implementation of the 2009 Motorized Travel Management decision for the Inyo National Forest. The meetings will be held on:

Tuesday May 29 – Mammoth Lakes, Forest Service Auditorium, 6:30-8 p.m.

Thursday May 31 – Bishop, Inyo National Forest Supervisor’s Office Conference Rm., 351 Pacu Lane (behind the DMV), 6:30-8 p.m.

The process of planning for the Motorized Travel Management decision began about eight years ago in response to tremendous growth in off-highway vehicle recreation on public lands across the country.  The goal of motorized travel management is to develop and maintain a sustainable system of routes that provide an array of motorized recreation opportunities and access to recreation destinations, as well as provide for protection for natural and cultural resources in the area.

Over the last two years the Forest Service has been physically implementing a variety of actions directed by the 2009 decision. Implementation includes signing system roads and trails, general maintenance and repairs, as well as the blocking, signing and/or disguising of unauthorized routes that were not added to the system. These efforts should reduce confusion and improve the experience for travelers on the Forest’s roads and trails. Additionally, many routes added to the motorized system require some kind of mitigation, such as stabilization, drainage work, and seasonal gates or reroutes intended to reduce the effects of motorized use on natural or cultural resources.

At the public meetings Forest Service staff will describe and answer questions about the last two years of implementation, as well as the work that is planned for this upcoming summer season. If you have a need for any special accommodations to be able to attend either of these meetings, or for more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer Nancy Upham at 760.873.2427.

Comments sought on MMSA winter project proposals

The Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on proposed projects at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), which would be carried out this fall.  The proposed projects would enhance developed winter recreation at MMSA and at Woolly’s Adventure Summit (WAS), the winter snow play area adjacent to the ski area. The proposed actions include the following winter recreation enhancement projects: improvements to the WAS area including expansion of the tubing lanes and parking area; removal and relocation of two old shacks, removal of abandoned footings, and ski run grading, all in an area adjacent to the top of  Face Lift Express (Chair 3) and on the Face of Three ski run; grading within the Coyote ski run; and extension of a snowmaking line to enable snowmaking at the South Park half pipe.

Comments sought on Mammoth Mountain bike park trail proposal

The Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ranger District is soliciting comments on a Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Trail Construction Project proposal.  Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA), a permittee on the Inyo National Forest, has proposed to construct 2.5 miles of mountain bike trails in the vicinity of, and in conjunction with the operation of  the Discovery Chair (Chair 11). All proposed trail construction is within the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area permit boundaries.

The purpose of this proposed project is to provide new terrain, recreation opportunities, better connectivity, and better separation between differently skilled riders within Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. The proposed projects are needed to provide two new progressive, beginner-level mountain bike trail experiences and a connector from the top of the Discovery Chair to a pre-existing, more difficult trail.

The Forest Service has made a preliminary assessment that this proposal falls within a category of actions listed in the Forest Service NEPA Handbook that are excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would preclude use of the category regarding Construction and Reconstruction of Trails.

Both the bike trail project and the winter projects are subject to the notice and comment provisions of 36CFR 215.3. The public comment period ends 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notices, which are expected to be May 17. Those wishing to comment on either proposal should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source. Only those who provide comment or otherwise express interest in the proposed action during the comment period will be eligible to appeal the decision.

Written comments for either project must be submitted to Allison Jackson, Winter Sports Specialist, Inyo National Forest, P.O. Box 148, Mammoth Lakes, CA  93546. Electronic comments may be sent to ajackson@fs.fed.us in the following acceptable formats: plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), Adobe (.pdf), or Word (.doc). Written comments may also be submitted by fax (760.924.5537) or by hand-delivery to the Mammoth Ranger Station during normal business hours, excluding holidays.

Information about the proposed project and maps will be posted on the Inyo National Forest website on May 17. Additional information may also be obtained from the Project Leader, Allison Jackson, at 760.924.5510. -Press Releases

Matt Davis (orange shirt) with the Mono County Board of Supervisors. (Submitted photo)

On Tuesday, April 10 the Mono County Board of Supervisors adopted and presented a resolution in appreciation of Matt Davis for his service to our country.

Davis served as an active duty mechanic for the United States Marine Corps from 1999 until 2005, and has served as a reserve in the Nevada Army National Guard since 2005.

In December 2010, Davis was moved from reserve status to active duty in order to prepare and train for deployment. In January 2011 the Equipment Mechanic for the Mono County Road Department since 2005, was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom with the Nevada Army National Guard Company C 422D Expeditionary Signal Battalion.

Davis returned in January 2012. He was released from active duty and returned to his position in the Road Department in February 2012. The County wishes to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ in appreciation for Matt Davis’ service and to all those who serve in the military. -Mono County Press Release

Book now … Winter Air Service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport flies off into the friendly skies on Sunday, April 15. (Photo: Geisel)

County preps for Internet service providers

As bandwidth continues to be a hot commodity and service providers put a hold on new Internet accounts, the Eastern Sierra’s need for digital infrastructure is becoming desperate.

Rather than sit idly, the Mono County Board of Supervisors chose to busy itself on March 20 with its own digital infrastructure updates during a presentation from County staff. It was an effort to get organized so that once Digital 395 goes online and Internet service flows freely through the Eastside, the County is prepared for Internet service providers (ISP) that may want to jump on the bandwagon and provide last-mile service.

Digital 395, or D395, is the project building a new 583-mile fiber network that will mainly follow the U.S. 395. Conduit and cable placement construction is expected to start in April.

As it has often been described, Digital 395 will act as the “backbone” of Internet service running up and down the Eastern Sierra, allowing for faster broadband.

“Service providers are the nerves,” added Mono County Deputy Counsel, John-Carl Vallejo. These nerves connect D395 to people’s homes.

These service providers must be awarded a state franchise in order to provide services under AB 2987, the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA), Vallejo continued. When the DIVCA took effect, state law for these types of service providers superseded city and county laws that had previously managed these franchises. Cities and counties do, however, do still retain some decision-making authority.

Last year when Suddenlink acquired NPG, it was also awarded a state video franchise. The term video refers to cable television. At that time, the County received a letter from the state explaining that the franchise had been awarded and that the County should “determine what, if any actions it would take pursuant to the authority provided under the state video franchise statute.”

At its meeting on March 20, the Board heard from Vallejo on the actions that it can pursue when dealing with providers both in video and digital infrastructure. The discussion quickly focused on digital infrastructure and D395.

According to Vallejo, the County will be able to weigh in on fees, rights of way, public educational and government channels (PEG channels), and penalties for a franchise holders’ failure to adhere to cable provider requirements.

These decisions directly link to D395 because when it comes time for last mile providers to branch out from the D395 backbone, they will be crossing their cables over County land and rights of way. While the County will still be able to require these providers to go through the encroachment permitting process, it will not be allowed to have exclusive franchises anywhere in the County.

“All franchises need to be treated equally,” Vallejo explained.

Which is why the County is updating its code to reflect the DIVCA changes, and working to determine its fee and fine structures. In the end it should provide one clear set of rules for all service providers to adhere by.

Eastern Sierra Connect

Following Vallejo’s presentation, representatives of Eastern Sierra Connect introduced themselves to the Board. While not directly related to D395 or to the franchise discussion at hand, Eastern Sierra Connect is another player in the local quest for digital infrastructure.

Eastern Sierra Connect (ESC) is a project of the Desert Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council. Its goal, according to its website, is to “evaluate existing broadband infrastructure and potential future through a demand aggregation project in Mono, Inyo and Eastern Kern counties.”

It is aimed at encouraging existing and potential providers to build local broadband for unserved and underserved Eastern Sierra communities.

ESC will be working to bring the last-mile providers to the table in order to help them access a large bucket of California Public Utilities Company (CPUC) money available for building infrastructure projects.

“We need to educate the public and the providers,” said ESC Committee Member Danna Stroud.

Grant funding is not reliant on D395, but according to Stroud that project “makes us more appealing to providers.”

Stroud described ESC’s work as a “positioning exercise.” She explained that providers applying for the CPUC funding don’t need projects that would be implemented right away, but need to get in the door, and in line.

“We need to make ourselves competitive with other consortiums throughout the state,” Stroud said. There are 13 other consortiums like ESC in California.

“Eastern Sierra Connect is doing what the County would end up having to do,” Vallejo explained.

“The County wants someone in place as an interim contact for broadband activity,” Stroud added.

ESC recently received a $450,000 grant from CPUC for its operational costs.

ESC requested that a member of County staff be appointed to its committee. Since it was not part of the agenda item, the appointment will be discussed again at the Tuesday, April 3 BOS meeting.

Vallejo plans to bring the code changes related to the state franchise agreements back before the Board in the near future.