Jackson – The Amador County Board of Supervisors reinforced their position on the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s 2040 Water Plan and its impact on the Mokelumne River. Tuesday’s agenda item was relative to the approval of Chairman Ted Novelli’s signature on a letter to EBMUD reiterating the Board’s opposition to the proposed plan. The item was added based on a past request by Novelli to have a letter to present in person at the EBMUD Board meeting this coming Friday. The letter states “that EBMUD should be able to meet the expected demands of consumers even during consecutive drought years through rationing, conservation, recycling, and the Bayside groundwater Phase 2.” One of the proposed 2040 plan options would expand the Pardee Reservoir and flood portions of the Mokelumne River in order to provide more water to customers in the East Bay. The vast majority of local individuals, groups and government entities have publicly objected to the plan, citing potential damage to the river’s ecosystem, the destruction of historic sites like the Middle Bar Bridge and irreversible damage to a river considered important to Native Americans. During public comment, Katherine Evatt of the Foothill Conservancy said “I’ve never seen so many people agree about one issue as they do about this issue,” referring in part to the parade of vehement protestors who lined up to voice their objections at EBMUD workshops earlier this year. Supervisor Louis Boitano called EBMUD’s outreach to the county a “dog and pony show” and said “they need to show us something more.” Michael Weir, a fly fishing guide, commented on environmental concerns, calling the area in question “the last stretch of riparian habitat on the river.” Supervisor Brian Oneto questioned objecting to the project and instead suggested negotiating for infrastructure like paving “a two-lane county road” leading to boat ramps along the river. “This is pretty strong language…it’s like a period,” he said. He was skeptical about the preservation of historical sites and asked “what is a historical site?” Evatt replied that most of the sites in question were Native American, and “they might consider them a sacred site just as you consider your church a sacred site.” Oneto worried aloud about traffic generated “once people get used to rafting there.” Evatt replied that boaters are typically taken down to the river by van. Supervisor Richard Forster recommended an addendum that opposed any other new reservoir with additional impacts to the river. The Supervisors also agreed to include recorded comments from EBMUD Director John Coleman stressing the corporation’s desire for cooperation with stakeholders before any plan is approved. “Sometimes the best action is to hoist somebody with their own petard,” said Supervisor John Plasse. “We should reiterate what they said in their own letter.” A motion was made by Boitano and all addendums and the letter were approved 5-0. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.