Environment 11-26
With some weather reports predicting anywhere between two and four inches of rain between 11/25 and 11/27-but others guessing that the storm will peter out with little rainfall-volunteers came out en masse this week to the Tea Fire-ravaged Mountain Drive neighborhood to stack sandbags in an effort to prevent mudslides from heavy precipitation. As a precautionary measure, the National Weather Service on 11/24 issued a flash flood watch for the Tea Fire burn area. For breaking rain-related information, see independent.com/rain11.
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Only a handful of people attended an 11/18 meeting held by officials from the State Department of Pesticide Regulation at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree. The hearing focused on proposed amendments to the California Code of Regulation governing pesticides in residential areas, but some weighing in on the matter claim the changes don’t go far enough to protect people from harmful substances. People can comment on the proposal until 12/5 by sending email to dpr08002@cdpr.ca.gov. (/pesticide1126)
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In an effort to reduce fire risk in overgrown areas, a herd of about 50 goats dispatched by the North County-based Brush Goats 4 Hire have been eating their way through Mission Canyon since mid November. The cost of the brush-munchers-which varies from $400 to $1,000 per acre, depending on terrain-is being paid by the Mission Canyon Association, which decided that the service was the most cost-efficient fire deterrent available. (/goats1126)
