June 2026 E-Blast | Northern Sierra Summer Home Association (NSSHA)

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June E-blast – 2026

www.nssha.org

In this Edition

Annual Meeting
Presidents Message
National Forest Homeowners (NFH) update
Campfire and BBQ permits
Trees
NSSHA Board Member Attending Tract Meetings
The use of Roundup on FS lands
Paying dues online
Area Reps
Contact the FS

Welcome

This E-Blast is mostly the same as the printer annual newsletter we mailed recently, but because we are not space limited, there are more details, links, topics, etc. in the E-Blasts.

Mark your Calendars! Annual Meeting June 27

Please join us for the NSSHA Annual meeting. It is always the 4th Sat in June. This year that is Saturday, June 27, 10:30 am at Camp Sacramento.

This year, we’ll have a special guest, David Fournier, Eldorado NF Supervisor, giving the keynote address.

Selected Meeting Topics:

Elections
Paying dues online
Roads, Trees, Signs
National Forest Homeowners (NFH) update
CCORP (burned cabins) Update
Office Hours with the Forest Service (after the meeting)

We are trying to make the meeting a tad short. To do that, we are going to refer people to the website for things that don’t change that much from year to year, like trees and fire permits. We’re also going to try not to talk about things that only affect a few tracts. We’ll use email to those tracts about tract specific things.

Questions!!!

We all have questions about our cabins. Whether it’s about trees, repairs, roads, the permits, wildlife, bears, the Forest Service or whatever. The Annual Meeting is the place to get answers.

We plan to have “office” hours after the meeting with FS representatives from each district to answer your specific questions.

We’ll answer general questions throughout the meeting. To streamline this and to make sure we have answers, please send email to Vice President, Paul Hugo, paul.hugo@gmail.com with your question, concern, comments, etc.

President’s Message

Tony Franks

The mountains are gently giving way to summer. The snow has melted, the creeks and rivers have calmed, and cool afternoon breezes bring welcome relief from warm early-summer days. It is the time of year when the Sierra calls us back. Each of us has favorite memories and experiences at our cabins. I certainly have mine, and I know you can easily conjure the sights, smells, and sounds that remind you that you are home in the mountains.

Your Northern Sierra Summer Home Association (NSSHA) exists to advocate for you and the issues we all face as recreational residence permit holders. Your Board of Directors works year-round to strengthen and protect the recreation residence program while maintaining regular communication with the U.S. Forest Service on matters that affect our cabin communities.

Each summer, we gather as a cabin community to learn about important issues and opportunities that impact us all. Our Annual Meeting is traditionally held on the fourth Saturday in June. This year, we will meet on Saturday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Camp Sacramento.

Please join us for an informative and engaging morning featuring updates on hazard tree removal projects, Forest Service reorganization efforts, 30-year permits, and other topics of interest. We are especially pleased to welcome David Fournier, Forest Supervisor for the Eldorado National Forest, as our keynote speaker.

As always, we will conclude with our popular “Office Hours with the Forest Service” session, where Forest Service representatives will be available to answer questions and discuss issues directly with cabin owners.

We treasure the opportunity to help preserve and strengthen our beloved cabins and the unique communities they create. Thank you for your continued trust and support of NSSHA. We look forward to seeing you later this month.

Tony Franks
President, Northern Sierra Summer Homes Association

NFH Update

Meredith Randall
Immediate past President, NFH
NSSHA Area 1 Representative

NFH is still working with Congress (a challenge even in less acrimonious times) to get the Cabin Program Restoration Act (CPRA) introduced. The CPRA will:

Respect, restore and protect cabin owner rights granted by permit.
Reduce further cabin loss and maximize rebuilding of destroyed cabins.
Restore a viable number of cabins that will ensure the future of the Program.

For two years NFH funded the CPRA effort from our reserves. This year NFH launched the CPRA Founding Donor Campaign. NFH is grateful for the $5,000 donation from NSSHA. Thank you.

A year ago, NFH suggested to Forest Service Chief Schultz that the agency could issue us 30-year instead of 20-year permits. No policy or regulation change needed. NFH was correct and the Chief was listening. A year later, it is official and effective immediately all Recreation Residence special use permits will be for 30 year terms.

But what does that mean for those of us on the Eldorado who went through the permit reissuance process in 2024? The policy change is not retroactive. However, after the Forest Service has completed communications and training, NFH will collaborate with the Forest Service to draft a 10-year extension for Eldorado permits.

Until then, NFH will urge the Eldorado to issue new permits (e.g., for cabin sales, transfers into a trust, or changes among co-owners) with the extended term to 2054.

It is important to note that CPRA includes the 30 year term permit language so it would become codified in law. What one Chief granted, the next could take away, unless we change the law.

These days there is much to keep track of at the federal level. NFH closely monitors the Federal Register for postings from the Forest Service. We evaluate proposed changes and their impact on the program. When appropriate we notify members and provide pointers on submitting input. We meet regularly with contacts throughout the agency to understand the reorganization changes and to position NFH and local cabin associations as important partners in the new model.

Campfires and Barbecues

Who needs a Campfire and BBQ Permit?

YOU – if you want to have any source of fire outside your cabin. This includes a wood fire, BBQ or stove, both charcoal and propane.

CAL FIRE issues the required Campfire Permits (fires less than 2’ x 2’ x 2’) which are free and are valid for the year.

How do you get a current Campfire and BBQ Permit?

Just watch a 3 minute video- it’s easy! Here’s the link to apply: permit.preventwildfiresca.org

Here is a link to debris burning permit (fires 4’ x 4’ x 4’) www.nssha.org/burn )

Trees, Trees, Trees

The topic that seems to take the most time and generates the most questions at our annual meetings is hazard trees. There are more details and links on our web page. www.nssha.org/trees.

Common FAQ’s:

Q: I have a tree that might fall on my cabin. Now what?
A: If the tree might fall on a powerline use the PGE Report It app and report it. If not, contact your FS permit admin (email on last page). Include a picture, the diameter at shoulder height, the approximate height and species if known.

Q: The tree isn’t on my lot. Is it my responsibility?
A: Yup, our permits specify any tree that can fall on your cabin is your problem, sorry.

Q: If PG&E fells the tree, do they leave it?
A: Nope, PG&E is supposed to remove the tree.

Q: What do the markings on my trees mean?
A: If there is an X in various colors that says PG&E marked that tree for removal. The colors change year to year (see our website for colors). Sometimes there will be a number. That number is the diameter. Trees marked with a painted ring around them usually, blue (near water) or orange are part of the mostly finished RCD project. They did not have enough money to cut all of them down. Some will remain.

Q: Is there any other hazard tree work that I should know about?
A: In the Caldor burn scar there is a project to remove dead trees. See our website for maps and details.

Q: I have questions that weren’t addressed. Who do I ask?
A: Send email to your VP, paul.hugo@gmail.com.

NSSHA Board Member Attending Tract Meetings

Would your tract like to have an officer of NSSHA and or your area rep attend your tract’s annual meeting? We would be happy to attend, listen to comments and concerns, and answer any questions.

We really want to get to know the individual tracts better.

For more information, email Paul Hugo, VP, paul.hugo@gmail.com or Tony Franks, President, affranks58@gmail.com or your tract representative (contact information below).

Roundup use on FS lands…

Due to the
complexity of this topic, NSSHA’s board is remaining neutral.

Eldorado National Forest (ENF) has a webpage titled “Caldor
Fire Restoration Project & Herbicide Use” that has links
to the broader project and a Q&A section. We encourage anyone
interested in this topic to thoroughly read these pages and view
the maps (you have to dive down a bit to get to the maps).

Selected Q&A quoted from ENF’s website:

Q:	“Why is herbicide authorized for this project?”
A:	“Herbicides are one tool within a broader Integrated Vegetation Management approach to support reforestation objectives. We limitour use to specific project areas where accomplishing our goals wouldnot otherwise be economically or physiologically feasible. These areas typically include acres where post-fire tree regenerationcannot naturally occur due to invasive species or risk of undesirableconversion to grasslands or shrublands due to recent uncharacteristic,high-intensity fires. These are areas where fuels reduction is a priority to protect humanhealth and the environment, and/or where invasive species control isessential to maintain forest health and cultural resources.”

Q:	“When will herbicides be used in the project?”
A:	“On the Caldor Fire Restoration Project website, maps are availableshowing where herbicide treatments occurred in early 2025, as well asareas treated beginning in April 2026, with work anticipated to concludeby early summer 2026.”

Q:	“How will herbicide be applied?”
A:	“The planned herbicide use associated with the Caldor FireRestoration Project on the Eldorado National Forest is designed to usethe least amount of pesticide necessary to support forest health andreforestation efforts. Application of herbicides will be targeted.All applications to date have been conducted with backpack sprayers.Truck or ATV-mounted booms may be used to treat roadsides in future.There will be no aerial or aquatic application of herbicides.”

Q:	“How will the public be notified? Are signs posted? For how long?”
A:	“If herbicides are used, signs are posted at public access points toany treatment areas at the time of application and remain in place untila determined restricted-entry interval. Posted signs will include theherbicides being used, application dates, and the required timeframeduring which entry is prohibited (if applicable).”

Q:	“How is herbicide use authorized?”
A:	“The decision to use any herbicide is made with carefulconsideration. Before herbicides are applied, the Forest Service goesthrough a rigorous and multidisciplinary assessment of each chemical andits potential project-specific impacts to meet state and federal laws.The Caldor Fire Restoration Project Phase 1 decision notice was theauthorizing document for the use of herbicides in this project area. Herbicides cannot be applied on national forests without environmental review and expert agreement that the data show that herbicide application is the best tool for achieving forest health or restoration.”

Q:	“Did the public get to comment on the use of herbicides in the project?”
A:	“Actions authorized under the Caldor Fire Restoration Project Environmental Assessment included both apublic scoping and public comment period. Comments received on the useof herbicides were considered during project analysis.

Other facts:

Most of the recent news on this topic applies mostly to the
Tahoe Basin, which is managed by a different FS office.
In 2025, there was use of herbicides at Sierra at Tahoe.
In 2026, the maps for use of herbicides show no areas near
cabins.

Membership and Dues

Every cabin owner in ENF and near Echo are, by default, members. Dues are 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 nssha.org/join . Payments can also be made 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 or press the button below)

Pay Dues

Officers

Tony Franks, President, Sayles Tract
affranks58@gmail.com

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

Nancy Allen, Secretary, Atwood Tract
na11en@sbcglobal.net

Mike Blote,Treasurer, 33 Milestone
NSSHA25@outlook.com

Jen Huntley, Editor, 41 Milestone
drjenhs@gmail.com

Area Reps

Meredith Randall, Area 1
meredithrandall14@gmail.com
Bull Creek, Alder Creek, 29 Milestone, 30 Milestone, 31 Milestone, 33 Milestone*, Riverside, 34 Milestone

Linden Beck, Area 2
linden.w.beck@gmail.com
35 Milestone, 36 Milestone*, 39 Milestone, Forni Creek, 41 Milestone

Caroline Peterson, Area 3
4caroline@currently.com
Strawberry Creek, 42 Milestone*

Lisa Long, Area 4
lbaalong@gmail.com
Strawberry Tract, Pyramid Creek, Twin Bridges*, Sayles Canyon

Dawn Johnson, Area 5
dawnjhnsn@yahoo.com
Fir Tract, Bryant Creek*, 46 Milestone, Aspen Creek, 47 Milestone, Phillips

Mary Clarke Ver Hoef, Area 6
mcvh95608@yahoo.com
Wrights Lake*, Dark Lake, Gerle Creek

Stephanie Holson, Area 7
stephanieholson@gmail.com
Kirkwood, Silver Lake, Bear Valley, Devil’s Gate, Woods Lake, Caples Lake*

Nancy Allen, Area 8
na11en@sbcglobal.net
Echo Lakes, Echo Road, Echo Summit, Atwood*

Julie Newlin, Area 9
jsnewlin@gmail.com
Sciots Tract*

* Reps’ tract

Best Email Addresses to use to contact the FS

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

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

To either subscribe or unsubscribe from NSSHA messages, please email Paul, paul.hugo@gmail.com