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DATES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR:Deren & the Millipedes 3

Day Use Annual Passes 3River Events & Outings 4&5

PARC Membership 6Mtn Quarries RR Gala 7

Confluence Festival 2012 7Earth Day Clean Up 8

Inside this issue:•March 17- American Creek Hike- pg 4•March 24- Codfish Falls Hike pg 4•March 25th- Windy Point Hike pg 4•March 31st- Lyme Prevention pg 4•April 14- Earth Day River Clean-up pg 8•June 9- Cool Whitewater Festival pg 5•June 9- Confluence Festival Wine Tasting pg 7•June 10- Confluence Festival pg 7And more...See page 4 & 5

RECLAMATION AND CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS SIGN 25-YEAR AUBURN-FOLSOM AGREEMENT

Local concern, led by Auburn

City Councilman Mike Holmes and Supervisors Jennifer Montgomery and Jim Holmes over the possible closure of key recrea� onal facili� es, access roads and loss of visitor services due to lack of funding in the Auburn and Folsom Recrea� on Areas prompted the Bureau of Reclama� on and the

California Department of Parks and Recrea� on (State Parks) to enter into 25 year partnership agreement to manage and provide opera� onal revenue for both Auburn and Folsom State Recrea� on Areas. The agreement requires that all revenue generated by recrea� on and special use at Auburn and Folsom will be applied to management and

services. The bureau will provide federal appropria� ons for half of opera� ons up to $2.5 million each fi scal year. The agreement serves as the basis for State Parks to con� nue to provide recrea� on, visitor services, law enforcement and opera� on and maintenance at these federal lands for the next 25 years. The Folsom and Auburn

Continued on pg 2

Permission to reprint courtesy of Andy Lukkonen and the Auburn Journal

The Agreement Supports President Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors” Ini� a� ve.

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State Recrea� on Areas off er some 53,000 acres of land and waterways extending from the pris� ne reaches of the upper North and Middle Forks of the American River westward through heavily urbanized se� ngs within the greater Sacramento area. Representa� ves of some 30 groups and organiza� ons, whose eff orts over the past several years helped Reclama� on and State Parks achieve this signifi cant agreement. BOR Mid-Pacifi c Regional Director Glaser stated, “…the public will con� nue to have opportuni� es to experience excep� onal outdoor recrea� on

The Confluence is a seasonal, or as needed, publication of Protect American River Canyons. The Confluence is included with basic annual membership.

P.O. Box 9312 Auburn, CA 95604

Edited by Eric Peach Layout by Alice Tenscher Dunbarhttp://www.parc-auburn.orgE-mail: parc@jps.net

Thanks to our advertisers. Special thanks to

Laurel and LeAnn

of Mystic Design.

BOR and California State Parks Sign Agreementas envisioned by President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors ini� a� ve.” America’s Great Outdoors ini� a� ve is a grassroots approach to protec� ng our Na� on’s lands and waters while connec� ng Americans to our natural and cultural heritage. The ini� a� ve seeks to empower Americans to share in the responsibility to conserve, restore and provide be� er access to our lands and waters and leave a healthy, vibrant outdoor legacy for genera� ons to come. “This agreement demonstrates government agencies working together to provide high-quality services to the public,” said Ruth Coleman, Director of California

State Parks. “We welcome the fi nancial support of our federal partners, and we look forward to furthering the goals of America’s Great Outdoors.” For informa� on on America’s Great Outdoors, please visit h� p://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/. In addi� on to this Managing Partner Agreement with State Parks, Reclama� on con� nues working on mul� -year contracts with the California Conserva� on Corps and CAL FIRE to fund fi re pre-suppression ac� vi� es within the Auburn and Folsom Project Lands, including managing vegeta� on growth and construc� ng shaded fuel breaks.

Continued from pg 1

BOR Director Mike Finnegan hosted the ceremonial signing in Auburn on February 22nd that featured speakers Congressman Tom McClintock, Congressman Dan Lungren, Senior Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Doris Matsui Anne Sanger, State Senator Ted Gains, Senior Field Representative for Sate Senator Doug laMalfa Christine Rydell, Reclamations’s Mid-Pacifi c Regional Director Don Glaser, State Parks’ Director Ruth Coleman and Northern Division Chief Scott Nakaji, Placer County board of Supervisors Chairwoman Jennifer Montgomery and Auburn City Council Member Mike Holmes.

Gary Hughes Photo

The Confluence - Winter 2012- Page 2

Sounds like a great rock band doesn’t it? But it is not. It is just

PARC’s canyon guardian Deren Ross on the prowl once again for the unique and unusual. In recent years he alerted us to the Peregrine Falcons, Sonoran Blue and California Dogface butterfl ies. Now, you will fi nd him poking around in the oak leaf litter near the limestone outcroppings on the middle fork searching for the rarely seen yellow and black Sigmocheir furcata millipede. These critters have a special adaptation to limestone and help convert the leafy material near the outcroppings into rich soil. These millipedes are also fl uorescent under ultra-violet light. The more common orange and black Selenocheir sinuata is seen at the left of the photo. Check out a copy of this picture in color on our website:www.parc-auburn.org

SIERRA OUTDOOR CENTER KAYAK SCHOOL, RENTALS, RAFT REPAIR, CROSS COUNTRY SKIS

SNOWSHOES AND RETAIL STORE

530 885-1844 440 LINCOLN WAY AUBURN

Deren and the Millipedes

“Golden Poppy” Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass“Golden Poppy” Vehicle Day Use Annual Pass

For those who visit the Auburn SRA frequently and are caught in the parking dilemma, here is one way to ra� onalize it. Most CA State Parks have clearly defi ned entrances. Auburn

SRA is unique in that it is spread out over 50 river miles with mul� ple canyon entry points. The best way to collect fees from those that use the park is to charge a parking fee. Generally these days, parks need to generate some income to help cover opera� onal costs for improvements, maintenance and safety patrols. The good news is that all the Golden Poppy Pass funds collected at Auburn SRA stay here in our park. The Golden Poppy Pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase for about 90 Parks including Marshall Gold Discovery and Folsom SRA. It can be purchased at Auburn SRA Headquarters at 501 El Dorado Street. Call park headquarters at 530-885-4527 for offi ce hours. There are some restric� ons to the pass!

FSRA is unique in that it is spread out over 50 river miles with mul� ple canyon entry points. The best way to collect fees from those that use the park is to charge a parking fee. Generally these days, parks need to generate some income to help cover opera� onal costs for improvements, maintenance and safety patrols. The good news is that all the Golden Poppy Pass funds collected at Auburn SRA stay here in our park. Parks including Headquarters at 501 El Dorado Street. Call park headquarters at 530-885-4527 for offi ce hours. There are some restric� ons to the pass!G

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Continued on pg 5

Saturday, March 17 ~ American Canyon Firebelly Hike The California Newt is a large terrestrial-aqua�c salamander with bright yellow eyes and a fiery-orange belly from which it derives its nickname “firebelly”. This �me of the year they can be found in and near foothill streams. This El Dorado County hike into the Middle Fork canyon is approximately a 5 mile loop through Hoboken Canyon with occasional short steep climbs. Lunch at a waterfall. For mee�ng �me and loca�on contact Eric @ 530-885-8878 parc@jps.net

Saturday March 24th Placer Land Trust Codfish Falls The Codfish Falls Trail Preserve was the first property protected by Placer Land Trust (PLT), acquired in partnership with Protect American River Canyons (PARC) in 1993 for its many public benefits. Surrounded by public land, the Codfish Falls Trail Preserve is located along the North Fork of the American River south of Weimar. The hike to Codfish Falls is approximately 3 easy miles round-trip. Eric Peach from PARC will be leading this hike. To register for this PLT hike visit their website at placerlandtrust.org. Cost is $15 for PLT members and $20 for non-members. Fee includes lunch at the Falls. PARC members free but no lunch. PARC members contact Eric for mee�ng �me and loca�on 530-885-8878 email parc@jps.net.

Sunday March 25th ~ Windy Point Hike Expect to enjoy many mid-season wildflowers, river access, historical sights, and the trail’s famous poppy field on this 3 mile round trip moderately strenuous hike to the meadow and river. There will be an op�onal addi�onal 3 mile round trip to a second meadow down river with hike leader Evan Jones. For mee�ng �me and loca�on contact Eric by phone at 530-885-8878 or via email -parc@jps.net.

Tick Preven�on & Lyme Disease Awareness Free program!

Mar. 31, Saturday 11:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-3:00pm Placer Nature Center 3700 Chris�an Valley RoadCalifornia State University Sacramento nursing interns will cover �ck bite preven�on for all. Keep the family and pets safe while exploring the outdoors. Placer County Mosquito and Vector control District will provide free �ck kits for all par�cipants. Call the Placer Nature Center, 530-878-6053, or visit their website, h�p://www.placernaturecenter.org for more info. Rain or shine.

Sunday April 15th ~ Gene Markley Middle Fork Tribute HikeGene is recovering from a stroke. Approximately 9 miles from Foresthill the Mosquito Ridge Road crosses the North Fork of the Middle Fork. From there we will make the short steep ½ mile hike to the historic iron cablesuspension bridge on the Michigan Bluff to Nevada Point Trail. Immediately following the historic suspension bridge hike we will drive to the Mosquito Ridge trailhead a few miles away and hike the moderately steep recently restored Mosquito Ridge Trail. It is approximately 3 miles round trip to the river. We will make a short side hike to the Greek Monument placed in 1988 by mountain man, trail guide, historian and author Gene Markley. Gene’s close friend Paul Whi�ng will hike with us. Bring a story to share about Gene.For more info contact Eric @ 530-885-8878 email parc@jps.net orTom Petersen 530-333-4911 email twcoyote532@hotmail.com.

Saturday, May 12 ~ Robie Trail, Sliger Mine Road to Canyon Creek This Gerogetown Divide hike follows an old mining ditch that is mostly flat with some short steep climbs along the way. Near an old mine there is an amazing hand-stacked rock wall and awesome views of Ruck-a-Chucky from the trail high above the Middle Fork. The hike is approximately 6 miles out and back to Canyon Creek. We’ll meet at the Marval Market parking lot 1 mile west of Main Street in Georgetown where we will carpool to the trailhead. Hike led by hiking trail guidebook author Tom Petersen. For mee�ng �me and direc�ons call Petersen at 530-333-4911 or email twcoyote532@hotmail.com

The Confluence - Winter 2012- Page 4

Friday, May 18 ~ Lake Clemen� ne Paddle & Peregrine Falcon WatchWe will join Birdman Deren Ross for a paddle up the lake observing ducks, birds along the shore and with some good � ming and luck see the Peregrine Falcons that are nes� ng at Robbers Roost. There will be a short scramble to a rock outcrop near shore to observe falcons and have lunch. Deren will bring his spo� ng scope. Robbers Roost is private property. It is especially off limits to hikers and climbers during the nes� ng season. Bring a lunch. There is a $10 per vehicle parking fee at Lake Clemen� ne. For more informa� on contact Deren @ 530-308-5114 or email derenross@sbcglobal.net.

Saturday, May 19th ~ Green Valley Wanderings This will be hike of about 6 miles from Iron Point, near Alta, to Green Valley on the North Fork. Star� ng on the Euchre Bar Trail we will descend a steep side trail off the Euchre Bar Trail to the east end of Green Valley. In Green Valley we will loop around taking in some of the sites and having lunch before climbing back out of the canyon. This is a moderately strenuous hike with some steep trail sec� ons. For more informa� on contact Ron Gould rgould@northforktrails.com or 530-878-9232.

Saturday, June 9th and 10th ~ 21st Annual Confl uence Fes� val-See ad page 7

Saturday, June 9th Really Cool Auburn Whitewater Compe� � on Sponsored by Sierra Outdoor Center this whitewater extravaganza takes place at the China Bar pump sta� on rapids on the American River below the Confl uence Fes� val. The restored river at the Auburn dam site will feature a whitewater rodeo, slalom races, swi� water rescue compe� � on informa� on, whitewater gear and a BB-Q.. For a schedule and more informa� on contact Guy at Sierra Outdoor Center 530-885-1844 or visit their website sierraoutdoorcenter.com.

Saturday, June 30 Great American River Wild Duck DerbyThe Auburn Chamber of Commerce and PARC are co-sponsoring a rubber duck race from the Confl uence to No Hands Bridge Saturday, June 30. Prizes will be awarded. Adopt-a-Duck for a $10 dona� on at the Chamber offi ce 530-885-5616 or ducks will be available at the Confl uence Fes� val. For more informa� on or to volunteer to be a duck wrangler contact Michael Anderson @ 530-820-3778 or email him at amriver@gmail.com.

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Saturday, June 30 The Auburn Chamber of Commerce and PARC are co-sponsoring a rubber duck race from the Confl uence to No Hands Bridge Saturday, June 30. Prizes will be awarded. or ducks will be available at the Confl uence Fes� val. For more informa� on or to volunteer to be a email him at amriver@gmail.com.

Visit www.parc-auburn.org and click on the “Join Now” button to receive our

E-Newsletters powered by Vertical Response

The Confluence - Winter 2012- Page 5

PARC Membership InformationProtect American River Canyons is a river education and conservation organization dedicated to the protection of the natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources of the North and Middle Forks of the American River and its canyons. PARC is very active in the community, sponsoring a variety of social, river service and educational events each year. PARC remains vigilant to the political threats to the river canyons.

To schedule an American River Confl uence Parkway presentation for your group, contact PARC at (530) 885-8878.

Visit our web site at http://www.parc-auburn.orgYes! I want to join PARC and help shape the future of the American River!

Send to: PARC, PO Box 9312, Auburn, CA 95604

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS(___)$25 Regular Member-Receive Confl uence Parkway Map or ASRA Patch

(___)$50 River Guardian-ASRA Topo Map and Canyon Keepers Trails Book or Tom Petersen’s Georgetown Trails Book

(__)$100 PARCster-Receive John Muir Laws “Guide to the Sierra Nevada” fl ora and fauna book (Normally sells for $24.95 + $5 for shipping.)

(___)$250 River Crusader-Tim Palmer’s California Rivers Book

(___)$500 River Champion-Tim Palmer’s California Rivers Book and choice of one other book

(___)I want my entire donation to be used to protect the American River. Please don’t send the membership premiums.

PARC is a non-profi t 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Thank you to our new and renewing members!

Name______________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip _________________________________ Phone (___)_________________________hm (____)______________________________wk E-mail ______________________________________

Wild Bird Station

OUR STORE IS “STRICTLY FOR THE BIRDS”

15% Discount if you mention this ad

Visit our PARC bookstore at:

www.parc-auburn.org

to purchase a variety of great publications

The Backyard Bird Feeding Specialty Store

“Time to Get Outdoors and Enjoy the Birds.”

In Victorian Village • 530 889-BIRD 1153 Grass Valley Hwy. • Auburn

The Confluence - Winter 2012- Page 6

Visit our PARC bookstore at:

www.parc-auburn.org

to purchase a variety of great publications

MT.QUARRIESRAILROADGala

March 23, 2012Auburn City Hall

6 p.m.

ReceptionArt Exhibit

Plaque DedicationHistory Program

MQRR - 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - 1912 - 2012

Invitation

A new Wild & Scenic t-shirt designed by Mys� c Designs honors the many years of grants the

New World Library has made to PARC in support of our American River conserva� on eff orts. Mys� c Designs has created a unique Wild & Scenic t-shirt, especially for the ladies, that will be available at the Confl uence Fes� val. Mys� c Design Studio will also feature a commemora� ve Mountain Quarries Bridge t-shirt and poster for this year’s fes� val. Many thanks for the generous support from New World Libary publisher of books that change lives. And special thanks to Mys� c Design for their river inspired graphic design work for over

fi � een years.

Winter walkWhen the sun is low and brightAnd flowers are bundled in their seeds,Those days between rain or waiting for rain;Extend your skin with wool, sturdy shoes and fleece.Go in to the world of crunching leavesWhere the quiet waits for a quail callOr Jay squak.Through bare branchesLook for the flit of a bushtit,OR an upsidedown tree.--Roger Grohgan

Winter walk

New World Library Grant

The Confluence - Winter 2012- Page 7

Return Service Requested

Protect American River Canyons

is dedicated to the protection and

conservation of the natural,

recreational, cultural and

historical resources of the North

and Middle Forks of the American

River and its canyons for all to

responsibly care for and enjoy.

P.O. Box 9312 Auburn, CA 95604

www.parc-auburn.org

Think about “Going Green.” Get your PARC Confluence Newsletter E-mailed to you.

Send your request to: parcauburn@yahoo.com

If you’ve requested and we’ve missed you, please give us a gentle reminder.

PARC’S ANNUAL EARTH DAYAmerican River Clean-Up

Saturday, April 14th8:00AM to 1:00PM

Meet at the ConfluenceSponsored by the State Parks Foundation, PG&E

and Recology Auburn Join State Parks, PG&E and PARC in cleaning the river and canyons from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. A special Mountain Quarries Historic Bridge and American River Ecology walking tour will take place in the Confluence Area at approximately 9am. We will also be dedicating the Confluence Visitors Area improvements that include a new visitors shade structure donated by the State Parks Foundation. Volunteers will meet at the curved bridge in the Confluence Area near the Highway 49 crossing of the American River 3 miles south of Auburn. American River Confluence Maps for clean-up volunteers are free while supplies last. Bring gloves and a lunch. For more info contact the Auburn State Recreation Area office @ 530-885-4527 or PARC @ 530-885-8878.

Keep it Wild Scenic and Clean!