Did you know? Working together, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, USDA, and Food Bank of El Dorado County, supports local farmers by buying fresh produce, especially from El Dorado County, to provide nutritious food to those in need. Interested farmers are encouraged to contact the Food Bank at (530) 621-9950.
C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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– Midweek Edition – VOLUME 174 • ISSUE 61 | $1.00
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025
One heck of a ride!
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado County is home to many oak trees that line roadways, shade property and provide homes to wildlife. Revisions to county regulations now make it easier to remove some oaks.
Oak ordinance revisions take root Jo Carrerow
Mountain Democrat correspondent
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There are now several circumstances that would allow removal of oak trees without a permit in El Dorado County. Although a permit is normally required to cut down native oaks, several exemptions were added to the existing Oak Resources Conservation Zoning Ordinance plus a new urgency ordinance was created in response to wildfire prevalence at the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 22. “For oak removal, (it’s) that attempt to do the best we can to balance the need for oak resources preservation while also allowing responsible removal of oak resources for these particular circumstances, especially with the heightened awareness of fire season now approaching,” said Tom Purcell, senior planner with Long Range Planning Unit. New permit
exemptions include trees with trunks less than 6 inches diameter or 4 feet high, trees damaged by natural disasters, for defensible space activities or for those that require removal for county road projects or public utility construction or maintenance. Mitigation exemptions include insurancerequired tree removal and dead or dying trees. “These mitigations do not require fee payment or replanting,” Purcell said. “However, they do require county oversight due to historic difficulties with enforcement. “Folks with code enforcement cases were inadvertently removing hillsides of healthy native oaks,” he explained, adding that the county will be looking at
Mountain Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
Becky and Joe Warren sit on their quads at their home in Somerset. Becky’s ATV is a Suzuki Quad Sport Z 400 and Joe’s is a Yamaha YFZ 450. When out on a trails, the riders wear helmets and protective gear.
Somerset couple explores the states on quads Shelly Thorene Staff writer
S
omerset residents Becky and Joe Warren have a passion for riding ATVs and their adventurous spirit has taken that passion through all 50 states. “We started riding back in Redding,” Joe recalled. “We used to go up to the Oregon Coast near Florence and the sand dunes near Coos Bay.” “We went on local trips with our friends,” Becky added. “We took family trips with our three boys.” While he was still employed, Joe used to tell Becky that when he retired, he just wanted to ride quads full-time. Retirement from Cal Fire came in 2013 and Becky retired from a
Courtesy photo
■ See RIDE, page A8
The Warrens take a break from riding their quads to snap a photo in Sand Hollow, Utah.
■ See OAKS, page A8
Rollin’ on the river for River Fest
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
Forty-five adventurers signed up to raft the South Fork of the American River for 2025 River Fest and Mixer presented by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce on July 24. Rafters put in at Tributary Whitewater in Lotus and enjoyed a perfect chamber of commerce day adventure through exciting rapids and slower floating spots on the way to Folsom Lake. After being transported back to Tributary everyone enjoyed a barbecue, music, networking and sharing stories from the adventures on the river. Left, River Fest rafters enjoy a stop to collect folks who spilled out of rafts near Greenwood Creek. Right, Tributary Whitewater rafting guide Glenn Goodrich of Lotus, right, gives boaters a safety talk before they head down the South Fork of the American River for River Fest.
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