URGENT: Help Preserve the SAC Daily Avalanche Forecast

What is happening?

  • As part of the federal government’s ongoing staff cuts, the U.S. Forest Service may lay off one of the three Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters.
  • If that happens, the Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC) would be forced to cut its daily avalanche forecast, and only issue 4 forecasts per week instead of 7, due to coverage and operational safety.
  • SAC is working with the U.S. Forest Service and elected officials to prevent this, but we need your help.

What can I do?

  • Call your Congressperson. If you live in California in the Tahoe area, Kevin Kiley’s Rocklin office is (916) 724-2575. If you live in northern Nevada, Mark Amodei’s Reno office is (775) 686-5760. Find your Congressperson HERE
  • (1) Share your concerns about cuts to avalanche forecasting; and (2) ask for their help to ensure that Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters remain essential public safety employees exempt from Forest Service staffing cuts.
  • Share this information with your backcountry partners and ask them to call too!

Key Point 1: This decision puts lives at risk.

  • Over 200,000 individuals rely on the Sierra Avalanche Center’s forecast to avoid avalanches and stay alive in the backcountry each winter. Firing an avalanche forecaster in the middle of winter, during the biggest storm cycle of the year puts lives at risk.
  • During past government shutdowns, avalanche forecasters were categorized as essential public safety employees and exempt from furloughs due to the critical nature of their work.
  • Local sheriffs departments and their search and rescue teams rely on the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast to conduct safe rescue operations during the winter.
  • Ski patrollers at Tahoe-area ski resorts rely on the Sierra Avalanche Center’s forecast to support their mountain safety operations.

Key Point 2: This decision has NO fiscal benefit to the government. This layoff will actually cost the government money.

  • The Sierra Avalanche Center operates as a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The nonprofit pays 75% of the forecasters’ salaries and had already funded all three forecaster positions this season. Laying off a forecaster would require the government to pay the nonprofit back!
  • The avalanche forecasting program is a model of government efficiency because it operates as a public/private partnership, with the majority of funding coming from a local nonprofit organization.

Questions can be directed to SAC Executive Director, David Reichel

davidr@sierraavalanchecenter.org

 
SlabLab

Support SAC while finding new backcountry partners!

 

SlabLab is a new backcountry-specific platform for finding great partners built by two Truckee locals. Not only can you search based on the qualities you want in a partner, they have great resources to help you improve your communication and teamwork in the backcountry. 

 

Sign up using our link and SlabLab will donate $5 to the Sierra Avalanche Center. 

 

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CA OHV Avalanche Forecast and Education Program Grant Application

 

The Sierra Avalanche Center is submitting a grant application to California State Parks Off Highway Vehicle Division to support the avalanche forecast and motorized avalanche education classes. 

The Sierra Avalanche Center's mission is to inform and educate the public about backcountry avalanche conditions in the greater Lake Tahoe area. This grant would support the production of the daily avalanche forecast and provide for free motorized Level 1 and Level 2 avalanche classes. 

Following the submission of our preliminary application there will be a public review and comment period.

Additional information, application review and opportunities for public comment about the Sierra Avalanche Center CA OHV grant can be found at: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/