Forest residents cry foul

The Stanislaus National Forest might be one of nature's garden spots, but that doesn't mean it lacks issues.

Whether it involves new rules for privately owned cabins or the futures of the check dams or the Cooper cabin in the Emigrant Wilderness, the place draws controversy just like it draws tourists.

Is the Stanislaus National Forest all that much different than any other when it comes to problems? Probably not. But to those who live, work and play in the mountains, it's the only place that concerns them.

It's a gorgeous, green forest often mired in bureaucratic red tape that leaves some folks frustrated as they deal with ever-evolving rules. Consequently, some folks question the Forest Service's approach and motives whenever an issue arises.

Last year, the 745 owners of cabins on government-owned land received letters after Summit Ranger District rangers Karen Jo Caldwell and Julie Martin did assessments to determine whether the cabins conform to the new restrictions. Permits for these cabins — the buildings are privately owned but are on federal land — expire Dec. 31, 2008.

Many of the cabins needed only minor tweaks even though some were built as long ago as 1920. But some require the removal of items for which a permit wasn't issued — outbuildings, additions, etc. — along with anything made of concrete. Owners also are being told to tear out lawns and landscaping that deters from the rustic look of the forest. In some cases, they've even been told where and how to stack their firewood.

Failure to conform could mean losing their permits.

"I live in constant fear of doing something wrong and having them kick me out of my cabin," said cabin owner Pat McCarty of Copperopolis.

Some owners expressed frustration with the process, particularly the accessibility of the rangers. Cabin owners complained that they could not reach Caldwell or Martin personally, instead getting funneled into voice-mail or being treated rudely by staff when they visit the ranger station.

In turn, Caldwell said her staff has taken a beating from angry and frustrated cabin owners who come into the station seeking help.

"They're just the messengers," Caldwell said. "Julie Martin and I aren't available when they walk in the door."

And some of the cabin owners said they view Caldwell as a ranger who simply is imposing her personal will on the forest.

"I think it's a perception," she said. "Sometimes, perceptions are escalating because we haven't been able to go out and visit them one-on-one. When we can go one-on-one, we can show them what we're doing, and it's been very good."

Some of the owners said they were given verbal OKs for outbuildings and other additions by Forest Service officials decades ago. But without paper documentation, it's now the rangers' call to determine whether the changes meet current standards, to allow them to remain or demand their removal.

It took Ken Krause of Oakdale several attempts and five months to get documentation after a meeting with Martin in October 2006.

Krause has been doing the compliance work for his father-in-law, 77-year-old cabin owner Ken Mitchell of Cedarville, which is in California's northeast corner. Some of the outbuildings on the Mitchell property, Krause said, were verbally OK'd by former Forest Supervisor Blaine Cornell, who retired in 1990.

Krause said he asked for notes of his meeting with Martin to ensure he had the documentation the Forest Service would require in the event that issues arose in the future.