2025 Newsletter | Northern Sierra Summer Home Association (NSSHA)

Newsletter – 2025
www.nssha.org

President’s Message

Tony Franks

Recreational Residence Owners:

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what we like best about being at the cabin. Certainly, the solitude and sanctuary are near the top of the list. The sound of creeks and rivers as they transport clear runoff from recently melting snow provides an almost meditative experience. Perhaps you most enjoy hiking or fishing when you are at the cabin. Enjoying the tapestry of the natural world, which can only be found in the mountains may inspire our soul. An opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends may top the list of our favorite mountain pastimes. For some, it’s the air. There is just something about breathing that clear, crisp mountain air that is simply magical. Whatever experience is at the top of your list of favorite cabin activities, we can all agree that our rustic mountain retreats are truly special.

Thank you all for your involvement and support of your regional rec residence association, the NSSHA. We have learned that navigating the issues we face as cabin owners is best accomplished together, and our combined voice gives us the best chance at being heard. This year begins the first season of Eldorado National Forest (ENF)’s new, 20-year permit cycle. ENF leads the nation not only in number of cabins, but we are always the first region in the nation to renew permits. Lake Tahoe Basin cabin owners and most of the rest of the country, yours will be in ’28. While a lot of the process went well, there were some areas that could have been better. We have shared numerous

ideas for improvements with the FS so the rest of the nation can benefit. Things like tell the cabin owners in advance what they will be inspecting for and when and which things are a must to fix before getting a new permit and which things can be fixed over time.

Even though we have crossed a major hurdle with permit reissuance, there are still several issues we all should be aware of. Many areas are still in the process of recovery from the Caldor fire. The hazard tree mitigation project was active in several tracts and hopefully will find the funding necessary to complete the project. Fuels reduction efforts are of high concern for us. Infrastructure upgrades and repair projects (mostly a few roads damaged in the fire) are in the works. There is a new process for issuance of burn permits. All these items will be addressed at our annual NSSHA meeting!!

The annual meeting this year is at a different location and at a slightly later time. Due to a major construction project at the beloved Sciots Tract clubhouse, we will have our meeting this year at the Camp Sacramento lodge on Saturday, June 28^th at 10:30 AM. As usual, representatives from the forest service will be there to answer our questions and have conversations with you during their “office hours” session at the end of the meeting. At the meeting, we will show off our new website, found at nssha.org, and we will get some exciting news from National Forest Homeowners (NFH). We hope to see you all at the meeting.!!!

Tony Franks
President, Northern Sierra Summer Home Association

NFH Update
Meredith Randall, President
National Forest Homeowners (NFH)

NFH is pleased and very impressed with the Recreation Residence National Fee Retention Action Plan (“Plan”) recently released from the Forest Service Washington Office (WO) to the Regions and Forests. Important points include:

With a bit set aside for WO and regions, invest the remaining 87% in the forests “locally where the fees were generated”.
At every level, the agency is “accountable to the interests of those permit holders paying fees” and the intent of the CFA. Funds may accumulate to allow strategic investments.
The special uses permit administrator should focus on special uses and become proficient as opposed to managing multiple duties.
“Timely authorization of new permits and timely response to requests from permit holders” for hazard tree removal, rebuild assessments, structural maintenance, or improvements, etc.

The Plan articulates what cabin owners throughout the country have expected of the Forest Service for years: prioritize the administration of the recreation residence special uses permits and provide good customer service on our requests. The $35M of permit fees we provide directly to the Forest Service deserves nothing less. You might be wondering if the Plan eliminates the need to pursue the Cabin Program Restoration Act (CPRA) legislation with Congress. It does not. The Plan does nothing to:

Reverse the trend of eroding permit holder rights, increased permit holder liabilities and diminished agency responsibilities as evidenced in the newest versions of our permit.
Address agency contributions to the woeful fact that less than 25% of the cabins destroyed since 2018 have been authorized for rebuilding.

Extend rights to co-owners and heirs.

Expand the ability of cabin tracts to go beyond current regulations to better protect their cabin and tract area against destruction by fire.
Restore cabin numbers to a sustainable level of 15,000 cabins nationwide.

In early April, NFH gave a statement to the WO encouraging FS management to base staff reduction decisions on careful analysis of job responsibilities, individual performance, and agency mission. Furthermore, NFH is deeply concerned that a significant reduction in staff without corresponding significant reduction in agency workload will further degrade customer service and administrative decisions permit holders experience. As a starting point for a discussion of streamlining administration of the Recreation Residence Program, NFH recommended changes in hazard tree mitigation, paperwork to change the permit holder, and approval of in-kind repairs. That led to an in-person meeting with Forest Service Chief Schultz. He suggested that NFH submit a proposal to him that could be delivered to the field on those ideas and any others. NFH is writing that proposal.

Membership and Dues

Every cabin owner in ENF and near Echo are, by default, members. Dues is encouraged, but not necessary.

Dues are still $20 a year! If a whole tract wishes to pay, the dues are $15 per cabin. Dues can now be paid on-line https://nssha.org/join. Payments can be made at the general meeting or by sending your check made out to NSSHA to:

NSSHA
1204 Havenhill Ct
Roseville CA 95661-5309

(Scan the QR code with your phone to pay dues)

Editor/Communication Officer

With Kathy Lewin having sold her cabin, she has left the officer position of Editor. We are in need of a person to fill this board position. The editor organizes the newsletter and various email messages (really the position should be called communications). Interested? Email Paul, head of the nominating committee, paul.hugo@gmail.com

Revamped Website

Thanks to our new webmaster, Mike Brattland, Gerle Creek Tract, we have revamped our website, nssha.org. There are pages for cabin resources, trees (what paint markings mean, getting permission to cut, etc.), bear sightings, cabins for sale or wanted, links to FS information. Lots of other stuff. Check it out. (Scan the QR code with phone.)

NSSHA Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Tony Franks, President
Sayles Tract
affranks58@gmail.com

Paul Hugo, Vice President
Fir Tract
paul.hugo@gmail.com

Secretary, Nancy Allen
Atwood Tract
na11en@sbcglobal.net

Mike Blote,Treasurer
33 Milestone
NSSHA25@outlook.com

Editor – OPEN

Forest Service email addresses:
(for all things cabin)

Pacific: sm.fs.pac_rec_res@usda.gov

Placerville: sm.fs.pvl-rec-res@usda.gov

Amador: sm.fs.amarecres@usda.gov

LTBMU: sm.fs.LTBMUrecRes@usda.gov