CLOVIS – For many, the holiday season brings thoughts of going out and cutting your own Christmas trees – but one place to avoid is the Sierra National Forest.
    "Cutting of Christmas trees on the Sierra National Forest has been prohibited for many years, says Forest Supervisor Jim Boynton.
    The U.S. Forest Service does not want to be in competition with local merchants and commercial choose-and-cut Christmas tree growers, Mr. Boynton explains.
    Plus, the demand for Christmas trees in California exceeds the number available in its 18 national forests, including the one that dominates Eastern Madera County.
    "Winter rain and snows also can make forest roads impassable and dangerous, says Mr. Boynton. "If you do purchase and transport a pre-cut tree from a Mountain Area business, be sure to carry a receipt with you, the Clovis-based forest supervisor adds.
    If you cut a tree on private land within the forest boundary, carry a written statement of permission signed by the land owner.
    For those wanting to cut their own Christmas tree, check advertising in the Sierra Star for local Christmas tree farms and for information about non-profit organizations and businesses featuring Christmas trees.
    For those who choose to ignore the law prohibiting the cutting of Christmas trees on national forest lands, the Forest Service and sheriff's deputies patrol the forest and roads to discourage illegal tree-cutting.
    The minimum penalty for cutting or transporting a single tree is $150 with the maximum as much as $5,000 and-or six months in jail. If more than one tree is taken, violators are fined the value of the timber in the trees at maturity.

    YARTS bus plan on Thursday Oakhurst agenda
    There will be an opportunity for Eastern Madera County residents to offer their views concerning YARTS – Yosemite Area Regional Transportation Strategy – plans on Thursday [December 3] in Oakhurst.
    The YARTS Management Board, members of advisory committees and the YARTS staff and consultants are expected at a community workshop.
    The session begins at 5:30 p.m. at Oakhurst Community Center and is a public session.
    Of primary interest will be a discussion of the number of buses and loading sites proposed to haul tourists into Yosemite National Park from Oakhurst.

    NORTH FORK – Christmas tree sales conducted annually by North Fork Scouts begins Saturday [December 5] behind the North Fork Branch Library and Fire Station.
    Sales will continue daily until Christmas.
    Freshly-cut red and white fir will be sold in a variety of sizes. Prices remain the same as last year.
    The lot will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 3:30 until 5 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday.
    Money from the sale of the Christmas trees is used to help finance all the Scouting programs of North Fork.
    Members of the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Brownies and their parents and friends, cut, haul, and sell the trees.