Capital improvements (i.e., roads, drainage facilities, sewer and water lines, treatment plants, transit lines) are the framework that supports development and their availability plays an important part in determining the pattern of land uses allowed in the county, as well as the direction and intensity of growth. Public facilities, such as police and fire stations, city and county offices, libraries, parks and schools are important to residents’ safety and quality of life and the ability to provide these facilities is important to the well-being of the community. The paper was guided by public comments and input from the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which served to focus the analysis of relevant information and the discussion of issues, goals, and policies. The working paper also addresses topics of importance to residents as related to infrastructure issues in Amador County, as well as requirements of the State General Plan Guidelines and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Major issues of concern related to infrastructure include existing capacity and future capabilities of infrastructure, public facilities, and services to serve Amador County growth. As part of the general plan update process, Amador County conducted five public workshops in September 2006 to identify key issues of concern to county residents. In addition, the GPAC began meeting in July 2006 to craft a vision statement for the general plan and to prioritize issues to be addressed in the plan. County residents identified several themes related to infrastructure that should be considered as part of updating the general plan. These included limited resources like water, sewer, electricity, propane, septic. The public also identified that Services available should keep pace with growth. Services like adequate sewage treatment capacity, Adequate infrastructure to support growth. Paid fire protection personnel; Increased availability of childcare facilities Increase availability of high-speed internet service; Concerns regarding Police, fire protection, and health services that are limited and not adequate to serve future growth.

Adequate water supplies for fire protection were cited among others. As part of this process the General Plan committee also reviewed how the actions of the committee, through the approval of General Plan recommendations may impact the future of the county. Would adoption and implementation of the General Plan result in substantial adverse impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: What about Police protection? Schools? Parks? Other public facilities? It is the goal of the GPAC group to answer these questions as they prepare their report for the Board of Supervisors for ultimate adoption as the future of Amador County. All GPAC meetings are open to the public, and all County residents are encouraged to attend and address the GPAC. Public comments are welcomed. The next meeting is April 12th at 6pm.