Amador County – Amador Supervisors on Tuesday supported the Amador Water Agency’s bid for a Gravity Supply Line, and criticized opponents.

Supervisor Richard Forster said it was unfortunate that a Proposition 218 protest stopped a rate increase in the Central Amador Water Project service area, but he appreciated that they made that vote. He said it was also unfortunate that Upcountry residents “were given a lot of misinformation and half-truths” about the project.

Forster said it is not about growth or no-growth but about having a reliable water supply for that area, and sufficient water for fire suppression. A 1991 study of Upcountry fire hydrants led the agency to want the Gravity Supply Line, but they did not have the money. Now, they have a USDA grant, but “a small group of individuals is going around trying to stop this project by putting out misinformation.”

Supervisor Louis Boitano said “there is a dark side out there.” He read from a letter he received, which said that if he supported the fire resolution, the “actions would have very dark consequences for you and the other board members.” The letter said “this is not just about capital improvement projects.”

Debbie Dunn, former AWA vice president, spoke, saying fire is an extremely important issue, but it is not an issue to be addressed by “water purveyors.” She said the GSL was a capital improvement project, and the “fire benefits are completely ancillary.”

Forster said “I think it’s a travesty,” that Dunn sat on the AWA board for 2 years and could not see that the “purpose of the Gravity Supply Line is for reliability” for both potable water and for fire, for all uses, and “also to save that money for the customers.” Forster said “that’s why the Gravity Supply Line should be supported.” He said “it’s a travesty that you are out there fighting this.”

Dunn said she was “representing the majority,” as shown by the Prop 218 protest, in her fighting against the GSL.

Supervisor Chairman John Plasse said “we do our job, and we do our homework.” He said they need information from reliable sources, “not from ideological zealots.” He said AWA is the purveyor of water, the rights are there, and the ability to get the GSL is there, to make it a reliable water source, and “it makes good common sense.”

Plasse said “stopping water supply projects should never be the job of the directors of a public agency, and I think that was spelled out loud and clear in the last election.”

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