In testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing restoration projects on national forests and grasslands.

“The aim of these efforts is to move beyond the conflicts which have characterized forest policy in the past and toward a shared vision that allows environmentalists, forest industry, local communities, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively toward healthier forests and watersheds, safer communities and more vibrant local economies,” Tidwell said.

Tidwell emphasized that such collaboration not only results in better projects, but will also create jobs.

His remarks were made before the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry.

“The Forest Service recognizes the need for a strong forest industry to help accomplish forest restoration work,” Tidwell remarked. “Forest industry involvement also lowers the cost of restoration to the taxpayer by providing markets for forest products.”

Tidwell presented a list of programs already in place at the Forest Service that will enhance the restoration and management efforts on the nation’s forests and grasslands:

• Implementation of the new forest Planning Rule that emphasizes restoration, public involvement, and sustainable management to provide benefits and services both today and for future generations.
• Investing in restoration projects with partners though the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. These projects have demonstrated that collaboration among stakeholders can facilitate large landscape scale restoration, thereby improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, and increasing timber and biomass production from the national forests.
• The Watershed Condition Framework which provides a consistent and comprehensive approach for classifying the condition of the 15,000 watersheds that comprise the National Forests and Grasslands and for prioritizing restoration needs.
• Integrated Resource Restoration which allows the agency to align its budgeting to focus on landscape scale restoration projects across resource areas and, with partners, combine the restorative focus of several line items into a single item.
• The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy which is a collaborative process with active involvement of all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the public working for an all-lands solution to wildland fire management issues.
• The Forest Service bark beetle strategy which focuses management efforts on priority treatment areas to ensure human health and safety and to reduce hazardous fuel conditions on more than 17 million acres of National Forest System lands impacted by bark beetles.
• Use of stewardship contracting which allows the Forest Service to offset the value of the services received with the value of forest products removed. This authority is crucial to collaboratively restore landscapes at a reduced cost to the government.
• Expanding markets for forest products through the development of new markets for woody biomass utilization and green building materials by providing a reliable and predictable supply of biomass for potential investors.
• Research using new technologies and cutting-edge science to help better understand impacts of forest disturbance on natural and cultural resources.
• Use of a new objections process prior to a decision, rather than using an appeals process after a decision. The process tends to increase direct dialogue between the agency and stakeholders and often results in resolution of concerns before a decision is made.
• Improved efficiency of the National Environmental Policy Act process by learning from and sharing the lessons of successful implementation of streamlined NEPA analyses.

“Today, people understand that forests provide a broad range of values and benefits, including biodiversity, recreation, clean air and water, forest products, erosion control and soil renewal, and more. Our goal is to sustain and restore ecosystems that can deliver all the benefits that Americans want and need,” Tidwell concluded.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In response to community need, the Middletown Methodist Church has expanded its food program and is now announcing some updates.

The Middletown Methodist Church community food program prior to 2012 included, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, a fourth Wednesday Food distribution from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., emergency food bags and first Sunday community dinners.

Beginning this past January the program expanded to free community dinners offered every Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Additional free meals were added on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in February.

These meals provide nutritional food to many members of the community and will continue in April.  

Fifteen volunteers, most not connected with the Methodist Church, have made the expanded meal program possible.  

The Thursday and Sunday Breakfast Program from February and March will be modified beginning April 1.

Sunday breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. and the Thursday morning breakfast will be discontinued due to low attendance.   

"Offering regular free meals are important part of what our church does to help our community at a time when folks are having financial stresses," said Pastor Voris Brumfield. "If anyone knows of persons who are in need of a meal or food, please tell them about our programs. We are grateful to the anonymous donors and all the volunteers, because no one should be hungry in our county."

For more information about these and other Methodist Programs email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-295-7174.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center has a group of volunteers participating in Relay for Life with a team called Precious Moments.

Two days of fundraising included a raffle, bake sales and an entire day of half off the entire inventory of the Meals on Wheels thrift store with a portion going to sponsorship in Relay for life.

The combined efforts of the Precious Moments team, Meals on Wheels Thrift Store and Lakeport Senior Activity Center volunteers raised $1,355 over two days.

The Meals on Wheels Thrift Store is proud to be a Silver Sponsor in this year’s Relay for Life.

Every life is affected by cancer, either personally, through family or friends.

Relay for Life is an opportunity for the community to get together, honor and remember those who have fought and are fighting cancer.

Proceeds raised by Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society.

For more information on how the American Cancer Society helps the fight against cancer, and supports those going through the fight themselves, goto www.relayforlife.org .

Meals on Wheels Thrift Store is located at 120 N. Main St. in Lakeport and can be contacted at 707-263-6174.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and its partner agencies urge all Californians, particularly those who live by, work in or visit the state's coastal communities, to empower themselves during National Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 25-31, by learning about the tsunami threat in their community and taking steps to reduce their risk of death, injury and property damage.

"We're committed to working with our partner agencies and the community to reduce the potentially catastrophic impacts of tsunamis and other emergencies that threaten California," said Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci. "The massive wave surges generated by last year's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami is a sobering reminder that even disasters thousands of miles away can affect dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of lives here in California."

California officials noted that last year's tsunami that hit California's coast caused one death and tens of millions of dollars in damages to public and private facilities. "Images from the Tohoku Tsunami remind us that this hazard is ever-present, unforgiving, and a real threat to Californian's coastal communities," noted California Seismic Safety Commission Executive Director Richard McCarthy.

"Injuries and loss of life are a tragic reality in many disasters, but a lot can be done to prevent them from happening when a tsunami is generated. Knowing what to do when a tsunami occurs can literally mean the difference between life and death," said Ghilarducci. "It's important that Californians living or working near the coast or visiting know that ground shaking could be nature's tsunami warning and that they need to take action."

Steps you can take to protect yourself from tsunamis

Are you in a hazard zone? Visit the "My Hazards" Web page at www.myhazards.calema.ca.gov to find out if you live in a tsunami hazard zone.

Know what to do: Find the designated tsunami evacuation routes for your community and assemble a small evacuation kit that includes a flashlight, portable NOAA Weather Radio, water, snacks, important documents and other essentials – www.ready.gov .

Prepare a plan: All Californians should also determine where they and loved ones will reunite if they are separated.

Learn more about tsunamis: Tsunami maps, reports, Japanese Tsunami Effects to California, National Tsunami Preparedness Week links and details, as well as additional tips on tsunami preparedness are available at www.tsunami.ca.gov .

Join the Discussion Live on March 29th:  Cal EMA is conducting a live, one-hour Webcast on March 29, 2012 at 2:00pm (PST). They'll be live with experts discussing lessons learned from last year's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami; steps Californians can take to reduce their risk of death, injury and property losses from tsunamis, ocean debris generated by the tsunami and other issues of interest.

The Webcast will feature representatives from Cal EMA, the California Geological Survey (CGS) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA). You can send your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they'll answer them live on the air.

"As Cal EMA's science partner, we encourage Californians to be prepared for the relatively rare but potentially devastating hazard that tsunamis represent," said Dr. John Parrish, State Geologist of California and head of CGS. "Government officials at all levels are researching and planning, but in many cases, surviving a disaster comes down to personal preparation."

Parrish noted that the www.tsunami.ca.gov Web page features the state's official tsunami inundation maps, information about the effects of the 2011 Japan tsunami on California and a new Cal EMA/CGS tsunami brochure designed with the boating community in mind.

To help commemorate National Tsunami Preparedness Week, Cal EMA has once again partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino and other agencies and organizations to test the tsunami warning communications system.  

The test, which will be conducted between 11a.m. and Noon on March 28 , features an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message with "live" tsunami event codes that will air over NOAA Weather Radios equipped with the Public Alert feature as well as participating radio and television stations serving the three participating counties.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – People all over Lake County are pitching in to fight hunger as part of the “Lake County CAN!” effort this month.

Lake County Administrator Kelly Cox always has a smile when past county supervisors drop by.

Recently he was visited at his Lakeport office by Voris Brumfield, a former south county supervisor who now is pastor of the Middletown Methodist Church.

Brumfield stopped by asked if the Board of Supervisors would offer a proclamation to support “Lake County CAN! Stop Hunger.”

“I had no idea what she was talking about,” said Cox. “After her brief explanation, I thought, 'Wow, what a great idea.'”

A few days later, Brumfield got a surprise when Cox attended a special meeting in Middletown to consider phasing the development of a park on Highway 29 as part of the new county building to house a new library and senior center.

Cox delivered a large bag of nonperishable items for Lake County CAN! Stop Hunger before the community meeting began.

“Kelly is that kind of man,” said Brumfield. “When he recognizes a issue, he gets involved.”

It is clear that hunger is a problem in third world countries, so that's not news, nor is it news that many people within the United States do not have enough food.

However, most people do not know there are thousands of children and adults in Lake County California who do not have enough to eat, Brumfield said.

All people in Lake County are asked support this countywide campaign to end hunger, which wraps up at the end of the month.

If you want to help, look for the 'Stop Hunger' cans at both Mendo Mill stores in Clearlake and Lakeport; the three Hardester's Stores in Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, and Cobb; Mount St. Helena Brewery in Middletown and all the Methodist Churches in Lake County.

To make a donation, volunteer or to find out other ways to help check  www.LakeCountyCAN.org .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host a countywide supervisorial candidates' public forum for districts one, four and five.

The forum will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the forum.

For further information, please contact Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit at 707-681-6127.