Amador County - The Board of Supervisors heard comments from opponents of the proposed Pardee Reservoir expansion and subsequently took action to oppose the project. The minimum 33-foot dam expansion proposed through the EBMUD 2040 water plan would flood miles of the Mokelumne River in order to provide additional water capacity to millions of customers in the east bay. An Amador Water Agency quorum that included Board members Debbie Dunn, Bill Condrashoff and Chief Engineer Gene Mancebo were on hand to present an AWA letter approved 5-0 in opposition to the EBMUD proposal. Condrashoff said he has “been to two meetings where 400 people combined have spoken out against this project, and only one person has spoken out for it.” Dunn said that EBMUD’s consultants “definitely listened” enough to change their presentation to focus on Pardee at Monday’s town hall meeting. Members of the Foothill Conservancy were also present to give their take on comments from the capacity crowd that filled the San Andreas Town Hall during an EBMUD meeting Monday night. The Foothill Conservancy, which has been at the forefront of local opposition, detailed reasons for rejecting the EBMUD plan, from environmental to economic. Judy Jebian, speaking on behalf of the Amador County Historical Society, said her organization was against the flooding because it would destroy some 43 areas of historical interest, including the Middle Bar Bridge, which was entered into the National Historic Registry in 1985. While not expressing any opinions as to whether they support or oppose the proposed plan, the Supervisors were unanimous in their disapproval of the way EBMUD has worked with Amador County and conducted workshops so far. Supervisor Louis Boitano asked rhetorically if meetings thus far were only a dog and pony show. He said the best plan of attack in terms of opposing the project was forming a “united front” with Calaveras County. Supervisor Ted Novelli said that if it wasn’t “for the efforts of Pete Bell and the Foothill Conservancy, EBMUD wouldn’t have given me the chance to speak,” referring to a workshop at the Amador Water Agency two weeks ago. Supervisor Brian Oneto called EBMUD’s efforts so far “irritating” and suggested writing a formal letter urging EBMUD to extend the comment period for more public input so citizens had the chance to read the 1,500 page Environmental Impact Report outlining the project. The Supervisors approved of the letter unanimously. They also will include a statement of opposition to the project because of the minimum comment period, which was set to expire April 6. County Counsel Martha Shaver recused herself during the discussion because she has property adjacent to the proposed dam site. EBMUD subsequently announced Wednesday afternoon that they will extend the comment period another month. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.