(Sutter Creek) A bill to study potential water supply impacts of state “Wild and Scenic” designation on the Mokelumne River passed the first step in the state legislative process Tuesday when it was approved by the State Assembly Natural Resource Committee.
AB 142, introduced by Assemblyman Bigelow and co-authored by Senator Berryhill, calls for a study of the Mokelumne River, prior to a designation of the river as Wild and Scenic. The study, to be conducted by the California Natural Resources Agency, will examine all environmental and water supply effects, and the impacts of climate change.
Both Amador County and Calaveras County Supervisors voted to support AB 142, along with all five cities in Amador, the Amador Water Agency, six other water purveyors in Amador and Calaveras Counties and many other local organizations.
In a letter of support for the bill, Amador Water Agency Directors pointed out that, “Because Amador County has very limited amounts of groundwater, the Mokelumne River has always been the principal source of water for AWA to meet the needs of Amador County.”
“Dependence on the river will only increase,” the letter continued. “Moreover, California’s ongoing drought condition has helped heighten awareness in the region of a critical need to shore-up existing supplies with supplemental storage at existing facilities to meet current and future demands.”
Amendments to the bill by the Natural Resource Committee eliminated or reduced opposition to the bill by the Foothill Conservancy and Friends of the River organizations. Those amendments included a deadline for completing the study, a prohibition on new water supply facilities on the river until the study is complete, and specifying that the proposed area for designation would be upstream of Pardee Reservoir.
The goal of the California Wild and Scenic Act is to preserve rivers that possess extraordinary scenic, recreational, fishery, or wildlife values in their “free-flowing” state, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the state. A designation of the Mokelumne River as Wild and Scenic could prevent water impoundment facilities and additional water diversions from the river, unless exemptions for water supply needs are specifically included in the river’s designation.
