[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6580820,"mediaKeyId","3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f","parentId",3113440,"title","Big Sur Fire announces two‑year funded hand‑crew program for wildfire readiness; residents and agencies urge regulatory clarity","audioSeconds",835,"startMs",5155000,"endMs",5990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f&start=5155&end=5990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f/thumbnail_5155000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580820/Monterey-County/California/Big-Sur-Fire-announces-twoyear-funded-handcrew-program-for-wildfire-readiness-residents-and-agencies-urge-regulatory-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580820-ba6721989766031508112ae3ac4a5d0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773222338&Signature=EotkYxniZFp6yInVMBrTP6LqvsgrTlMGyNaSUJeRZxoWS9fLFwVVUe8m~32fdqiISLxF8JlWzmP2zwZuM3WqOCAd9fyh2QyRmCInxJ1KEHlmiS3gzf12cyTQ4zeAgGDfFw19TfqwwOFfqCRgxelgulI-hJhAbhP5qLe~NgyX63pxqQ1a7iSiXKIOekdIaIJ4mhSAy6tmv1COoqk9yJNAEkCBetOfyMpyGi7cz0QfEuoSuAm6MOtfMN6NYjaLdBiR5MUnz7C~59dZn08tABcRuv7MFpnOb7WZqnrw-mNjOlaAV5PI9jE4~1E8aFn5d2haCFoT74846rLklQ6e6ThQFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monterey County","date","2025-04-24T21:40:23.6Z","article","Big Sur Fire announced a new, privately funded 21‑person hand‑crew program intended to expand local wildfire preparedness and response capacity, with training, equipment and two years of initial funding provided by a private donor.

Fire Chief Matt Harrison outlined the plan as a 21‑member team divided into five modules that will work 40 hours per week on non‑emergency vegetation management, defensible‑space improvements (Zone 0/Zone 1 focus), and critical ingress/egress road clearances. He said the program is fully funded for two years and that the department had received 64 applicants for positions and will give preference to Monterey County and local residents. Harrison said the initial funding would cover vehicles, tools, chippers and salaries and that additional revenue could come from mutual‑aid deployments and service contracts with federal or state land managers.

Harrison described the program as “a non‑emergency entity working 40 hours a week to prepare this community for wildfire,” and said the crew would also respond on wildland incidents under mutual aid. The department described a budget envelope “up to $4,000,000” for initial establishment and two years of operation.

Several speakers at the council meeting — including county planning staff, a representative of the California Coastal Commission, and residents active on fuel‑reduction topics — welcomed the program but urged early coordination to avoid permitting conflicts and environmental impacts. Coastal Commission representatives and Monterey County planning staff said large‑scale fuel projects often qualify for programmatic pathways but noted that environmental‑sensitive‑habitat rules can apply outside the standard permit process. Residents and local advisory members asked that resource and habitat advisors be integrated into planning so that work in chaparral, red‑legged frog habitat or monarch butterfly areas is handled with appropriate mitigation.

Harrison said private property work will be easier to authorize than work on state or federal lands and said the crew would incorporate resource advisors when outside private property. He emphasized the program will prioritize defensible space within 30 feet of structures and critical road routes, and said the crew can be paired with the county’s chipper program to remove material.

Council members asked how community members can request work by the crew; Chief Harrison said he planned to use a request system modeled on the county chipper program and that the department would report back on operations at a future meeting. Planning staff and the Coastal Commission proposed convening a cross‑agency meeting to align the program with the county’s Big Sur Land Use Plan and coastal permit requirements.

Ending — The hand‑crew launch was broadly welcomed as a practical, funded response to wildfire risk, but local officials and residents pressed the fire department and regulatory agencies to jointly clarify permit paths and ecological safeguards before program scale‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council (BSMAAC) Meeting 2.28.25 Recording","oneSentenceSummary","Big Sur Fire announced a new, privately funded 21‑person hand‑crew program intended to expand local wildfire preparedness and response capacity, with training, equipment and two years of initial funding from a private donor.","taxTitle","Monterey County, California","taxId",3728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580825,"State Parks installs automated license-plate reader at Point Sur; community seeks data and process transparency",1952,3159000,5111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f&start=3159&end=5111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f/thumbnail_3159000.jpg","/articles/6580825/Monterey-County/California/State-Parks-installs-automated-license-plate-reader-at-Point-Sur-community-seeks-data-and-process-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580825-1471f3669564b87b4aaca5f654daa5e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773222338&Signature=M~kHN8Oe2ErW4UAf52-c~AAI7wc-O50DHlpxxr~LZmVLeNp2zBZ2cjh4R-eCRyHc8DIVfZ~25ubGCa~qEcLAD8d9b03XdLWaXWkOuAx12LNSQePgH4-PZn2dOXyHeYdIKWXc47gly~5jBo2DeH7bTxWLIOuJURFyAMFmW1iNBI8E5efyCsjOmpKLtcpZZ0XLgwhkqeq~AG6SSS9RsfTFwORlRVy-Yam7ZrZgKCQcLLzMvt3Z4IK~yJQVfffXWvcvKHrYwCmeqPYWJ6agGULmyYgYkttZ9aMkIIn6GkhdXoDXaBOi6Vl255PS9~V4kFjSrEc4MFJRUiMK87-ZpIIPVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","California State Parks representatives defended a new automated license-plate reader camera installed near the Point Sur entrance, saying the device is intended as a law-enforcement “force multiplier” to help flag stolen vehicles, felony-associated cars and AMBER alerts. The installation drew sustained public concern at the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council meeting about information-sharing, data retention and whether the community had been given advance notice.

State Parks Chief Ranger Mike Dippel said the camera is part of a statewide ALPR network and is intended to alert officers to wanted or stolen vehicles and give officers a 10–15 minute heads-up when a flagged vehicle approaches. He described the system as focused on “stolen vehicles, felony vehicles and AMBER alerts” and said State Parks deletes its camera data on a 30-day cycle unless footage is retained as evidence.

Residents and local officials said the agency failed to consult the community before installing the device and asked for regular public reports showing vehicle counts and times to inform land‑use and visitor‑management decisions. Council member Martha Neal pressed State Parks for aggregated vehicle-count data to assist traffic‑capacity planning on Highway 1. Dippel and other State Parks staff said they can provide southbound counts and time‑of‑day breakdowns in aggregate.

Speakers also asked who can access the camera feed and whether data could be shared with federal agencies or third‑party data brokers. State Parks said the ALPRs in California typically are connected to state law‑enforcement databases (Cal DOJ / CLETS) and that sharing is restricted to state and local agencies; Assemblymember representatives at the meeting noted proposed state legislation aimed at restricting the sale and broad sharing of such data. State Parks said their agency’s retention policy is 30 days and that the system does not perform facial recognition or collect names or Social Security numbers.

Law enforcement officials at the meeting, including Monterey County Sheriff and the CHP commander for the area, said the cameras have helped solve crimes and locate missing people in other jurisdictions and that the devices are intended to increase officer and public safety given limited local policing resources. Some residents urged stronger safeguards: clarifying exactly which agencies may query the network, whether third‑party vendors retain copies, and whether deidentified summary data could be made regularly available to the public.

The council requested that State Parks share aggregated vehicle counts and timing data and that agencies coordinate in advance before installing additional equipment in the Big Sur corridor. Assemblymember staff and Coastal Commission representatives also said the state legislature and the commission are watching ALPR use closely; two state bills (SB 274 and AB 1499) were mentioned in the meeting as part of a broader legislative effort to limit sale/sharing of such data.

State Parks said it will supply aggregated counts to the council and follow up about policy details, including whether any agency other than the state can retain camera data longer than 30 days.

Ending — The camera prompted intense local interest in balancing public‑safety uses with privacy and process expectations. Council members and State Parks agreed to follow up with aggregated traffic counts and to discuss a clearer, pre‑installation consultation process before future sensor placements in the Big Sur corridor.","California State Parks representatives defended a new automated license‑plate reader camera installed near the Point Sur entrance, saying the device is intended as a law‑enforcement “force multiplier” to help flag stolen vehicles, felony‑associated cars and AMBER alerts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580816,"Caltrans updates MAAC on active region slide; work continuing but timeline for reopening Highway 1 remains uncertain",765,7868000,8633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f&start=7868&end=8633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f/thumbnail_7868000.jpg","/articles/6580816/Monterey-County/California/Caltrans-updates-MAAC-on-active-region-slide-work-continuing-but-timeline-for-reopening-Highway-1-remains-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580816-726c9e55b973a2637a4a5f4540525174/orig.mp4?Expires=1773222338&Signature=mB8kcn~4IWWliujXv3GheGAOAsAsnOJVjgF7BTTFwHVnXw8qe9L2kxegoaAcg5FOEYg~cD3k~MGHF6RGfHPZT9B7dAP9gD01Tww6z3NGxRwliuJYJYn8SCOt69X~Stll-qczk-cmsaXU-HwTRlM82eCHSzWDF2au3ZIChFNJQ8yDCenEV0JYDwmUD5MpvJ69S1grvHnGhdb6LUqadI~g3GVgETtoM6~VJlCy4L83Pttk1QBfu8Ho2sjl0Ojn~K-Viz-mXACgX-otyXVSUWBV5vSoBcwKK8byVvQhDyq0sCVRfB6w2UyAbzeNGqCSZvGBVvMi9y8gULKAQDPPyAgxNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans engineers updated the advisory council on ongoing work at the large slide that has closed portions of Highway 1 on the southern approaches to Big Sur, saying the site is highly active and that a firm reopening date is not yet possible.

Project engineers said the agency is pursuing a “top‑down” approach on the slide, excavating and loading material at the head of the slump to reduce driving pressure lower in the mass. Caltrans said the slide has exhibited daily movements tied to recent storms and groundwater springs; crews monitor movement with survey teams, drones, spotters and instrumentation. The agency said some monitoring equipment placed on the slope has been lost as the ground shifts and that there have been instances of boulders and large material moving unpredictably.

Caltrans staff and technical partners described the activity as dangerous for workers and said they are coordinating with multiple resource agencies on side‑casting of spoils into the ocean where the coastal footprint and habitat impacts have been evaluated. The agency said the current approach allows material to be side‑cast under existing authorizations while they manage slope stability; but council members and public commenters urged Caltrans to clarify at what point regulators would require hauling material instead of side‑casting — a change that could extend closure time appreciably.

Several public attendees, including local land‑use activists and residents with historical familiarity of the coastline, urged Caltrans to consider more aggressive mechanical or engineered options; Caltrans said the slope’s geotechnical behaviour and the presence of springs make those operations risky and warned that heavy machinery on unstable ground can trigger larger failures. Speakers from the county and state said they have held joint site visits with Caltrans and that engineering teams across agencies are reviewing options.

Caltrans committed to provide the council with more frequent photo and video updates and to publish the video footage shown to the meeting with the minutes. The agency said it will return with a more detailed progress update in the coming weeks once a period of relative slope stability allows more complete surveying.

Ending — Caltrans described steady daily work under hazardous conditions but gave no reopening date. The council and public asked for timely, transparent updates and requested clear decisions about whether side‑casting to the ocean will continue or be replaced by longer‑term hauling if regulators demand it.","Caltrans engineers told the Big Sur Multi‑Agency Advisory Council that active excavation and monitoring at the large coastal slide continue but that a firm reopening date for Highway 1 cannot yet be set.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580812,"Residents tell MAAC Big Sur’s visitor‑serving unit cap may have been exceeded; call for county action and moratorium request",285,2183000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f&start=2183&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3113440-cc065ead73bf562605bce46847885e9f/thumbnail_2183000.jpg","/articles/6580812/Monterey-County/California/Residents-tell-MAAC-Big-Surs-visitorserving-unit-cap-may-have-been-exceeded-call-for-county-action-and-moratorium-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580812-261f29b20fdf2a9f3efaba96d45a0312/orig.mp4?Expires=1773222338&Signature=FCzPgi9j0Ueuutdtx5e6Z2GhOsRJZnpeUXNoDCZ7D5EG1mWTUQwRPswqf7hVn2Mb8CWsgCEO4lSSV85etjqFWdoA8r40Any8Zdqi2QFtmRw0RAAm22YLQPnDW~KXQ5wfw2nws70x5Rvt66X6AKBut5KOG7L0--xPUkmwRt6jbQ9w8p0X7YqBbF~bCxBxCESBSkbqYMwbRGuTwQtPeF0YklicVOLcHDSxIzFKDZN1MZeu8HvzAAODRZvNvWZq1FS0BA6Y3GfYqT8eAlrCx9wHznJxQiMNYJhknPLa-z9~POxUW-PuZqYgWU7ZubdPh-XYPw5~~T~7dydxZ0H2tdq8Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents and community groups urged Monterey County and the Coastal Commission to enforce the Big Sur Land Use Plan’s visitor‑serving unit (BSU) cap and said local counts suggest the cap has been reached or exceeded.

Tim Green, a long‑time North Coast resident, read policy language from the Big Sur Land Use Plan that explains lodging limits were set to protect Highway 1’s capacity for recreational use. Green said the county’s previous chamber count found 455 rooms, a 2023 consultant count found 482 BSUs and a more recent resident count reached 545 BSUs — including shared spaces — implying the cap of 468 is either close to or exceeded. He said a local attorney previously requested a moratorium on additional BSU approvals until the discrepancy was resolved and that the county did not respond.

Other speakers, including Marcus Foster and members of local advocacy groups, said Highway 1 is at or beyond capacity at many chokepoints and that additional visitor‑serving development will worsen congestion and degrade the scenic highway that the land‑use plan is intended to protect.

Monterey County planning staff said they had received the materials and would review the documentation that commenters provided. Staff also noted that the county and the Coastal Commission coordinate on coastal‑zone matters and that some programmatic permitting mechanisms — such as a county public‑works plan authority — can be used for landscape‑scale projects, but that environmentally sensitive habitat protections remain in place.

Several speakers asked the council to press the county for a clearer public accounting of BSUs, a formal inventory reconciliation, and a temporary moratorium on new visitor‑serving approvals until inconsistencies are resolved. County planning staff said they were looking into the counts and the moratorium request.

Ending — The council did not vote on the matter, but public comments prompted county staff to commit to reviewing submitted counts and to report back. Residents asked the MAAC to keep the issue on future agendas until a reconciled BSU inventory is published.","Several members of the public told the advisory council that Monterey County’s Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan caps visitor‑serving units (BSUs) at 468 and that counts by residents, the chamber and consultants show the cap either reached or exceeded. Speakers asked the county and Coastal Commission to enforce the cap, investigate an alleged backlog","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Big Sur Fire announces two‑year funded hand‑crew program for wildfire readiness; residents and agencies urge regulatory clarity

State Parks installs automated license-plate reader at Point Sur; community seeks data and process transparency

Caltrans updates MAAC on active region slide; work continuing but timeline for reopening Highway 1 remains uncertain

Residents tell MAAC Big Sur’s visitor‑serving unit cap may have been exceeded; call for county action and moratorium request