Ojai Forest Ranger Weighs In

The U.S. Forest Service has a new district ranger.  Sue Exline, who came from the Sierra National Forest near Clovis to accept the position, has had a couple of months to settle in.  The OVN sat down with Exline to get an insight into what she will be bringing to the Forest Service Ojai District, and to discuss some of the issues of the Los Padres National Forest.

OVN:  Being new to the area, how do you familiarize yourself with this district?
Exline:  The first month I really tried getting to know the district and the different issues that we face here.  I’ve been meeting with different folks and agencies like the Sheriff’s Department, Ventura County Fire Department, and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.  I’ve been hearing some of the concerns and seeing how everyone operates.  My goal in the first six months is to understand the district.  I’m not going to make any knee-jerk reactions.

OVN:  Have you found any similarities between the issues here and your previous district?
Exline:  One thing I’ve seen is people who live near a National Forest have a real passion for it.  The public also has a lot of expectations as to what the land is used for.  Most people see it as a place for recreation.

OVN:  There have been issues recently with recreation areas like Cherry Creek and other target shooting locations relating to vandalism and littering.  What are some of the things people are doing that damage the Los Padres?
Exline:  I visited Cherry Creek recently and it was a real eye-opener for me.  Signs have been shot up and people leave their trash behind.  People are using things like TVs and computers for targets and then leaving everything.  We’re also seeing bathrooms and other buildings being shot up in some areas.  It’s very disappointing.

OVN:  How does the Forest Service deal with these issues?
Exline:  In 2005 the (Forest Service) came up with a land management plan that would involve making shooting legal only in designated areas.  We’ll go in and do an environmental analysis to determine whether to open or close certain areas to shooting.  We want people to realize that they need to have some personal responsibility when they are in the National Forest.

OVN:  The Adventure Pass that people purchase through the Forest Service allows them access to certain areas of the Los Padres.  There has been some controversy over this through the years.  What is your view on the Adventure Pass?
Exline:  The Adventure Pass seems to have gone through many evolutions and the Forest Service has listened to the people and their concerns.  In most areas, you no longer need a pass just to park within the forest.  I believe that the passes are quite a bargain though.  There are many facilities for people to use, and we most likely couldn’t have those without selling the pass.  We don’t really hear the concerns about it that the district has heard in the past.

OVN:  Recreation isn’t the only thing happening in the Los Padres. What are some of the challenges that you face when it comes to industry or commerce?
Exline:  I think there’s a real concern with Highway 33.  It’s become a very popular highway.  I’ve heard about some issues with the trucks.  The only thing on my mind with them is safety.  We talked to a superintendent at one of the mines.  We have to stay engaged in insuring that the companies that operate up there know we have concerns and that we all have to work together to make the forest safe.

OVN: You also work with some of the other local agencies like the Fire Department.  What are some of the common goals that are shared?
Exline:  Fire protection is something that we all see as a priority that we need to work together on.  We need to have these partnerships to handle the problem areas of the forest and the district.  We have to be aggressive in responding with fire fighting, and the public expects us all to work together.

OVN:  Any final thoughts on the Ojai District?
Exline:  All of the challenges we face never take away from our employees who are always trying to make a difference.  Everyone here really seems to be passionate about what they do.  They all really care.  Ojai is a great place, and I want to figure out how to tap into people’s connection with the land and their passion for the environment.  My goal is to really get more involved in the community.