Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission last Monday discussed the Amador Water Agency’s internal struggle over the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort. In particular, new board members are looking at an engineering study by Jackson Director Bill Condrashoff, in which he found that an agency Water Supply Assessment for Gold Rush was inadequate. Staff, however supported its assessment and the 2008 board’s approval last January of the document. Chairman Robin Peters said he thought “it would be irresponsible for the Planning Commission to do anything about this without a whole lot more information.” He said Condrashoff’s comments were addressed in the Final EIR by the AWA board. Peters said: “If AWA is concerned about the AWA’s document, a request for a re-evaluation of that document should come from the water agency.” The AWA ended a meeting on the issue with confidential staff direction given in closed session last Thursday. Sutter Creek’s planning commission talked about changes to its “Conditions of Approval” for Gold Rush, including one suggested by Peters that made “sure the city had first crack at serving water to” Gold Rush, and were considered before the AWA. Commissioner Mike Kirkley said that was discussed at the AWA meeting. He said if the “whole point was the tertiary plant, why are they talking about raw water?” Kirkley said he thought that “recycled water needs to be available before the golf course goes in.” Consultant Anders Hauge said having the existing raw water line available for use allowed Gold Rush to go forward. Kirkley said if Gold Rush can’t get recycled water, they would need to run a new pipe for raw water. Hauge said he is working on the timing involved, in the Development Agreement. Peters suggested a condition of approval that Gold Rush would have to “provide evidence that raw water will be supplied until tertiary water can be supplied by the city.” Peters said: “There’s got to be a mechanism to be able to get raw water to the golf course to make it viable.” The commission discussed upcoming meetings and having all 5 commissioners present for the big discussions and issues. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.