NSSHA Annual Meeting 2026

Summary of Main Points (NSSHA Annual Meeting 2026)

Meeting goals and process (NSSHA leadership)

• The NSSHA (Northern Sierra Summer Home Association) aimed to keep the meeting concise and efficient.
• Attendees were encouraged to submit questions via forms (available at the back) so board members could filter/compile them for clearer answers during the allotted time.
• NSSHA represents a large geographic area along the Eldorado National Forest, spanning multiple “district”/area groups; leadership emphasized outreach beyond the main meeting site.
• The agenda included a feedback/rating method so the board could focus future discussion time on topics attendees cared about most.

NSSHA scope and participation

• NSSHA represents 38 tracks on the Eldorado National Forest and approximately 1,111 cabins.
• Leadership expressed a hope that 90% of cabins pay dues, linking dues to the association’s ability to support meeting logistics (including lunch) and activities.

Board officers and representatives introduced

• Officers named:
  • Paul Hugo (Vice President)
  • Mike Biloy (Treasurer)
  • Nancy Allen (Secretary)
  • Jen Huntley (Editor/newsletters/e-blasts)
• Multiple track-area representatives were introduced (see list at the end of this document).

---

Forest Service Keynote: David Fornier (Forest Supervisor, Eldorado National Forest)

Fornier delivered the keynote and addressed major themes affecting cabin communities and forest management.

1) Forest Service leadership, priorities, and local engagement

• He emphasized his role is to support forest efforts, including recreation and special uses.
• He described an early commitment to remain at least five years (noting high turnover nationally).
• He referenced rebuild efforts following the Calder Fire, noting at least one cabin fully rebuilt and more underway.
• He highlighted ongoing coordination with cabin stakeholders and recreation program leadership through regular meetings.

2) Forest Service reorganization (impact on authority and processes)

• He described a large reorganization shifting authority levels:
  • Washington office moving locations and changing regional-office roles.
  • Regional offices “going away” or becoming more supervisory/liaison-like.
  • More authority potentially resting on forest supervisors directly.
  • Operational/service centers consolidating technical expertise previously distributed across regional offices.
• He framed it as potentially speeding some decisions but also creating temporary friction due to the loss of staffing structures (e.g., fewer support/deputy resources).

3) Fee retention program and funding constraints

• Fornier explained that recreation/special-use fees increasingly support priorities under fee retention rules, including partial funding for salaries tied to recreation programs.
• Capacity challenges described:
  • About 30% staff vacancies
  • Reduced contracting capacity
  • Partner/grant programs were also described as experiencing sharp national reductions
• He described fee retention as a tool for priorities like road/trail/access needs, while stressing maintenance costs over time.

4) Herbicides/glyphosate controversy—context and response

• Fornier addressed public concerns about glyphosate herbicides, including references to recent media coverage.
• His key points included:
  • Herbicides can play an important role in forest restoration/thinning and invasive plant control.
  • The mix includes other chemicals and surfactants; he noted some components can be more toxic than glyphosate itself.
  • He emphasized targeted use, minimum-effective dosing, and safety protocols.
• He connected the discussion to post-Calder Fire restoration:
  • Only a portion of the area is being reforested directly; most is treated by other means/different approaches.
  • He said prescribed fire and tribal land-management traditions are being explored/used as additional tools.
• He noted tribes asked to see where herbicides were applied and that the Forest Service intends/has begun publishing location/status information (e.g., via a website map).

5) Post-Calder Fire reforestation, hazard trees, and “fuel brakes”

• He described active partnerships for Calder Fire reforestation, including multiple named partners (e.g., American Forest, Great Basin, Sierra Pacific).
• Key strategy: building long-term fuel breaks and planning for future resilience, not only immediate regrowth.
• For forests that were not burned (or are in earlier stages of development), the goal is to reintroduce/approximate historic fire patterns by reducing fuels in overly dense stands.

6) Partnerships and leverage of funding

• Fornier emphasized that partners multiply outcomes (described as a “$3 for every $1” concept).
• He encouraged long-term partnership thinking rather than short-term, single-grant collaborations.

---

Key Q&A Themes with David Fornier and Forest Leadership

Herbicides vs. logging

• A question asked whether herbicides are used to facilitate commercial logging or to restore forests.
• Fornier stated the referenced herbicides were not used for the logging described; in at least one logging context, herbicide was not the motive.
• He cited non-herbicide uses such as stump-top fungicide application to control disease spread (e.g., root rot).

Fee retention transparency and road maintenance

• Attendees asked what fee retention can fund, especially for roads.
• Forest Service representatives acknowledged reduced capacity and limits on contracting/grants, but indicated partners may help depending on the partner and agreement structure.
• Roads were repeatedly highlighted as a high-need area. One representative described prioritization based on safety and engineering review and encouraged attendees to submit road issues for inclusion on priority lists.

Specific road hardship concerns (Bull Creek and debris/landslides)

• A participant raised urgent, ongoing road access problems linked to fire impacts, debris flows, and insufficient repair—blocking access for residents and emergency response.
• The response was to address those issues offline/after the meeting, with Forest staff available for office hours to handle specifics.

Requests for transparency (special use fee spending)

• Attendees requested clearer information on how fee retention funds are spent and whether priorities can change.
• Forest leadership said the prioritization process is underway and that a more concrete breakdown may come later (potentially via updates once projects are identified).

---

NSSHA Business Updates and Cabin-Related Operational Issues

NSSHA website/resources and hazard tree markings

• NSSHA shared that slides/minutes and resources are available online.
• Resources include contractors (e.g., water contractors), permit guidance, and other cabin support materials.
• The hazard tree program was highlighted:
  • Remaining hazard tree work is mainly in PG&E-related operations/areas (as described in the meeting).
  • NSSHA emphasized that they explain hazard tree marking colors/shapes on the website.

PG&E debris/log deck removal and contractor coordination

• A Forest/cabin community coordinator urged residents to contact them if debris remains, noting contractors sometimes miss pickups.

Cabin permit renewal inspection system

• A new inspection system for cabin permit renewals was described:
  • Instead of annual inspections, cabins would be inspected on a rotating ~3-year cycle (about 175 cabins per cycle).
  • Timing target: inspections mailed around November, giving owners winter to prepare O&M plans for spring.

Cabin permit/rebuild timelines (Calder-related rebuilding reality)

• A presentation included figures indicating rebuilding can take substantially longer than many expect.
• The messaging: cabin rebuilding is slow due to permitting, restrictions, determinations, insurance, and other delays—not simply construction costs.

Signs and winter durability

• Attendees asked whether improved reflective signs could last through winter without removal.
• Response: reflective materials improve nighttime visibility but may be compromised by snowplows/snow piles; covering/removal may still be necessary.

---

NFH (National Forest Homeowners Association) Coverage: Meredith Randall

Meredith Randall provided federal/policy-focused updates tied to NSSHA’s involvement.

Cabin Program Restoration Act (CPRA) concept

• NFH support was described for the Cabin Program Restoration Act, which aims to restore permit holder rights and improve rebuilding pathways—especially after loss events such as fires.
• Key motivations:
  • Permit terms and obligations have shifted: permit-holder responsibilities increased while certain rights/appeal pathways or forest obligations decreased.
  • The bill seeks to restore rights, including rebuild/recovery pathways and administrative protections/appeals for permit holders affected by disasters or administrative issues.

Why NFH action matters (political process + legal navigation)

• Meredith and NSSHA leaders described how legislation and legal interpretation can shape cabin owners’ ability to rebuild and to challenge administrative outcomes.
• A specific example was shared regarding wildfire debris cleanup funding:
  • The group credited legal support with helping establish proper funding pathways after Calder Fire, enabling professional cleanup and reducing personal financial burden on cabin owners.

NFH monitoring and engagement

• NFH monitors the Federal Register for rule changes related to recreation residences and public land access.
• NFH may issue “call to action” templates to help residents submit comments during public comment periods.

Membership drive

• Meredith emphasized NFH membership is needed to strengthen political leverage.
• Membership was described as uneven by region/track, with some areas having much higher membership than others (and some notably low).
• Residents were encouraged to sign up, with paper forms also offered (QR code mentioned earlier).

Other NFH activities

• Stewardship groups working on:
  • emergency planning frameworks (neighbor-to-neighbor communication)
  • cabin hardening and defensible space guidance

---

Presenters/Contributors (as named in the subtitles)

• Paul Hugo (Vice President, NSSHA; called the meeting to order)
• Mike Biloy (Treasurer, NSSHA; gave treasurer’s report)
• Nancy Allen (Secretary, NSSHA; introduced/referenced; area 8 representative)
• Jen Huntley (Editor/newsletters/e-blasts, NSSHA)
• David Fornier (Forest Supervisor, Eldorado National Forest; keynote speaker)
• Andrew Mishler (District Ranger, Placerville district; Forest Service)
• Linda Babcock (Oversaw special use residence program; Forest Service)
• Meredith Randall (NFH president; NSSHA area representative; gave NFH update)
• Tony (Referenced as a key NSSHA/Presidential/NFH-related participant—last name not clearly stated in subtitles)
• Chuck Hutchinson (Heritage program manager, referenced by David)
• Stephanie Holen (Area 7 representative)
• Julia (Science track representative; referred to as “the one, the only science track, Julia”)
• Carolyn Peterson (Area 3 representative)
• Lisa Long (Area 4 representative)
• Don Johnson (Area 5 representative)
• Mary Clark Forhoff (Area 6 representative)
• Nancy Allen (Area 8 representative)
• Lynden Beck (Area 2 representative; not able to attend)
• Don Ward (Referenced as representing 41 milestone track later in the meeting remarks)
• Denise (Facilitator/participant in NSSHA operations section; last name not provided)