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Sequoia Trail News
April 2022
USDA Responds To Stewards Discrimination Complaint
More than a year ago Stewards filed twelve counts of discrimination against District Ranger Al Watson and his superiors for violating our civil rights when they wrongfully terminating
Stewards of the Sequoia and prohibiting Stewards from continuing the most successful volunteer program in the Sequoia National Forest.
The initial USDA investigator determined that Stewards was “not guilty of any wrongdoing and had not been accused of any wrongdoing and needed to be reinstated”.
Instead the Forest Service, which is a branch of the USDA, stated they would not renew Stewards because we had caused their staff such stress that they needed to seek counseling when
their new staff asked for volunteers at public meeting and Stewards offered to volunteer. Odd that a staffer would be stressed when the largest volunteer organization in Sequoia answers their cry for help. We have to say this seems most unlikely. We were utterly
dismayed by their claim.
Since the above USDA mediation did not resolve the issue the USDA moved into a formal investigation. They have just sent their
determination surprisingly closing
our complaint due to their claiming that there has been no discrimination. They did not seek any clarification from us and the three points of discrimination had been provided to us as grounds by their office. They appear to be prejudicial, dismissive and
arbitrary.
Our attorney at Texas Legal Foundation feels we have a strong case and is preparing a civil rights suit to be filed in Federal Court. Stewards continues to stand up for our members
civil rights against the out of control juggernaut of the Forest Service.
It is sad to see our public lands suffering due the Forest staffers actively discouraging volunteers. The Forest Service continues to prevent Stewards from doing much needed trail
maintenance which the Forest Service continues to lack the resources to perform.
Stewards Activism Continues
Stewards of the Sequoia are not just a trail maintenance volunteers. In reality that is the least important aspect of what Stewards does to keep trails open for our members and the
public.
It is critically important for Stewards to continue being heavily engaged in Sequoia Forest Planning and Piute Travel Management planning. Your continued support is needed to fund
Stewards Trail Preservation Program so we can continue to advocate for more trails and be ready for possible legal action to prevent the PCT Land Grab as well as preventing Piute Trail Closures. If you have not already donated this year please
donate now.
French Fire Trail Work
Stewards continue to perform much needed trail maintenance on BLM lands which were heavily damaged in the French Fire last year. Our proactive efforts to line the irreplaceable world-class
single-track trails prevented shortcutting and kept the trails twisty. Stewards work also prevented the BLM trails from being closed. We urge riders to stay on the trails and help keep them twisty.
We intend to continue this kind of trail work in Keyesville later this month and next. Please respond to this email if you would like to help.
Forest Service Announces Reopening of Castle Fire Area
The Castle Fire and Windy Fires severely burned more than 140,000 acres two years ago in the Western Divide District incinerating thousands of Giant Sequoia trees as well as entire
mountainsides of forest.
Road Repair and hazard tree treatments have been completed across much of the Castle and Windy burn areas. Additional work will continue.
The Forest Service just announced they will be opening many areas north of Porterville in the low country now and also reopening many areas in the high country once the Tulare County
clears the roads of snow. They anticipate most areas will be open to the public by June First.
You can see the status of Sequoia road, trail and campgrounds closures here
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