A meeting was held today at the Mount Lukens Electronic Site with the USFS and
the Fish and Wildlife Service.
The meeting specifically addressed the California Condor and anti Raptor
perching.
At this time minor anti Raptor perching mediation is needed to deter the birds
from making Mount Lukens a landing site.
At the top of towers there should be spike strips and / or horizontal wires
making the tops of the towers and associated
antenna mounts undesirable landing / perching areas. Microwave dishes at
those levels should also have spike strips
covering the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the dish. All dishes need to have covers
and all covers need to be in good repair.
The spike strips can be in 1 foot sections with 12 to 18 inches between the ends
to allow service to be safely performed
at that level. Horizontal wire if used along a cross arm should be plastic
coated if suspended with eyelets to prevent
intermodulation problems.
Another area of concern is hardware dropped from the tower or even on the tower.
The Condors internal systems will not tolerate
lead. Any type of lead items need to be removed from the outdoor areas
around the sites. They also will pick at items
sticking out of the tower. Copper twist ties holding cables can be
pecked at and possibly taken as food for their young.
They will even pick up hardware on the ground and eat it or take it back to
the nest. The bottom line is keep the facility
clean inside and out. Remember that you can track small items outside
when you walk out.
Site and mountain top access. There is a new white gate just behind the
fire station on Angeles Crest Hwy. There are slots
for 9 facility owners locks and 2 USFS locks. Each owner should
only have one lock on the gate. Please keep this
gate locked at all times unless the USFS locks it open. Instruct your
users to not disturb the fire personnel for access
through the gate. There should be a USFS lock at your facility.
This lock will make it easier for USFS personnel
to access the facility compound for inspections or Condor mediation.
Site safety and fire prevention. Make sure your fire extinguishers are
current and a proper size. The bigger the better
because you only have once chance to make it work. You also need
proper training on how to use one.
A sharp shovel and pick would not hurt to be on hand.
Post emergency numbers, Thomas Guide grids and Latitude / Longitude location
information.
Be careful on the road. We share it with hikers and bike riders.
No more vehicle fires or head on accidents please.
Remember we also share the forest with critters. There are snakes hiding
in the shaded areas during the summer and bears
will come after your lunch. There might even be a deer blinded by your
headlights after dark. Make sure someone knows
you are going up the hill and have a check in person when you get down.
Plan your trip, water, food, clothing, road conditions
and weather.
Brush clearance is critical along with fire prevention. Clear the
brush around your sites well past the required distances.
Give the guys with the hoses something to defend. Plan on going back for
more on going weeding after the main clearing.
It will grow back within 30 days if there is enough ground water. Just
like trash, weeding is ongoing.
Sub tenants / renters and contractors. Make sure they know and follow
the rules. It all comes down to you. You will
be responsible if they cause a fire or an accident. You will be
responsible if they let someone unauthorized past the gate.