Amador County - Action by state and local officials is adding momentum to protests against proposed Assembly Bill 885, which would increase statewide minimum standards for Onsite Sewage and Wastewater Treatment Systems. The original bill was signed in to law by Governor Gray Davis on September 28, 2000, but updated regulations controlled through the State Water Resources Control Board are proposed for 2010. The State Board is up against protests from residents and officials in rural counties who feel the uniform standards originally proposed for coastal communities are ineffective when applied across the state as blanket legislation. Recently, three members of the State Legislature have introduced three separate bills addressing the issue. Freshman Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, who represents Amador County and the 10th District, introduced AB 580, which amends one section of the water code and has gained the support of the Regional Council of Rural Counties. AB 916, authored by Assemblyman Dan Logue, also amends two sections of the water code. And AB 268, introduced by Assemblyman Ted Gaines, would repeal 885 entirely. The latter bill is not expected to make it to the assembly floor for discussion. Supervisor Richard Forster, in an exclusive interview with TSPN, called the proposal unrealistic and an additional burden on that segment of our community. He also cited the hefty fines against owner’s of onsite treatment systems should this legislation pass. Information based on the 2000 U.S. Census suggests that of the approximate 15,034 housing units in Amador County, 8,347 use Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. That’s approximately 55.5 percent of the county’s housing units. Amador Water Agency Board member Debbie Dunn said in a public email that “Amador County hosts a significant population that will be affected by this legislation. It would behoove all agencies and councils to hold some level of dialogue with their members, attendees and residents in the near future.” Assemblywoman Huber is holding a public workshop in Amador County to address this and other issues facing the county, as well as take time for public input. That workshop is being held this Wednesday evening, April 1st, 6:30pm at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 810 Court Street in Jackson. The Control Board is scheduled to discuss the matter further on April 14th. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A proposed expansion of the Pardee Reservoir has raised red flags among opponents who view the project as detrimental to the environment and the local economy. Under the proposal, East Bay MUD would flood the entire Middle Bar reach of the Mokelumne and nearly a mile of the Mokelumne above Highway 49 in order to meet its water needs in dry years. But local opponents are concerned about any EBMUD decision that would drastically alter a vital component of their own backyard. “We don’t feel we should have to give up more of our river so people in the east bay can take longer showers and water their lawn,” said Katherine Evatt, Board Director for the Foothill Conservancy. She said river advocates collectively spent more than 30 years trying to open reaches of the Mokelumne to the public, resulting in one of the most popular kayaking destinations in central California and a popular fishing reach. “People have put a lot of time and money into making the Mokelumne a viable economic resource,” Evatt said. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club have expressed concern over the impact flooding would have on river plant species and fish populations. “It raises questions about how to restore salmon and steelhead populations after that much more potential habitat is lost,” said Evatt. EBMUD Spokesman Charles Hardy stressed that any decision on implementing the proposal was still a long time down the road. “This is all part of our long range planning activities looking at water supplies through 2040,” he said. He said the EIR recommended choosing an option: Pardee expansion or a regional desalinization plant. “We have more knowledge about raising Pardee than desalinization, but this decision is a long time down the road and research on desalinization could prove it to be more cost effective.” Another issue is jurisdiction and whether Amador County will have any say in new dam construction. Hardy said EBMUD considers itself part of the community and “the days of coming in and taking what you want have been over for a long time.” EBMUD would have to overcome a number of hurdles to build locally, including water rights applications and guidelines set forth through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines. In the meantime, dam expansion opponents such as the Foothill Conservancy, Friends of the River, American Whitewater and the City of Jackson are encouraging EBMUD to meet its water needs through conservation. The EBMUD Board of Directors is currently discussing methods of effective water conservation for the future. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.