Amador County - The Amador County Board of Supervisors today will discuss (Tuesday, Oct. 19) the proposed Wild and Scenic River Designation for the Mokelumne River.

According to the Foothill Conservancy, “The designation would keep the river as it is today and stop new dams and diversions, including the proposed expansion of Pardee Reservoir.” It would also “protect the private property of riverside landowners from the threat of condemnation for new dam construction and reservoir expansion” as well as “ensure the river continues to be accessible to the public for fishing, swimming, water play, picnics, whitewater boating, teaching kids about nature and local history, and as a recreation destination for visitors to our county who spend money in local businesses.”

A number of local residents with concerns about the future of the river were expected to attend the meeting, which began at 9 am this morning.

Foothill Conservancy says that “Without the Wild and Scenic designation, the future of our river will be left up to big water agencies in the East Bay and the Valley and the federal energy bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. who make the final decisions on dams.”

TSPN will report on the outcome of this discussion in a later broadcast.

Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.