Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission wrapped up its review of the Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort specific plan last Monday, though more commission meetings lie ahead. The commission went through the last several attachments to the Gold Rush specific plan, omitting the last, the “School Facilities Mitigation Agreement.” Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe said the commission “wanted it taken out of the General Plan because the city cannot do anything about it.” The agreement is between the developers and the Amador County Unified School District, and he said it likely would not become a part of the conditions of approval. Rabe said: “I don’t think that we can legally condition that.” The agreement for a school site is an area likely to be annexed outside of the project area, which School Board President Mary Walser confirmed was in the works earlier this year. The planning commission kept the attachment for the “Golf Course Best Management Practices,” saying it was not a task for the commission. The completion of the specific plan review sets up the next meeting, April 27th, when the planning commission will host a public hearing on the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report for Gold Rush, for the revised section relating to the revised traffic impact study. The schedule also includes the commission’s first meeting in May, which Rabe said will “finish up loose ends,” look at the errata sheet and the conditions of approval. The commission could get to the point of making a recommendation to the city council, at the end of June. The Sutter Creek City Council will look at the recommendation, possibly in special meetings on Wednesdays in July, though dates are not yet set. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Getting both praise and criticism, Rancho Arroyo Seco’s future was the topic of the latest meeting of the Amador General Plan Update, Tuesday in Jackson. Owner Bill Bunce was called worthy of sainthood and also a model land manager by a couple of local activists, while others criticized the county for handling the land designation. Jim Scully of Ione said they should call the historic areas of Rancho Arroyo Seco “a definite zone where you cannot develop, so that Bill Bunce can design his project and not infringe on these sensitive areas.” Art Marinaccio of Amador Citizens For Responsible Government, said the real question should be: “Do we have enough water for a project of that size?” Speculation said a project at the site could increase the county population by 40,000 people. Marinaccio said there was “no way” a 40,000-person population boom “will be developed in this 20-year General Plan’s” lifetime. He urged that the panel “apply a designation to it that allows something to come forward.” Local farmer and activist Susan Bragstad voiced support, saying “Bill Bunce should be declared a saint.” Casino opponent and Ione area resident, Jerry Cassesi agreed, but said he was not lobbying for Bunce’s sainthood. Cassesi said he has worked for the Arroyo Seco Ranch for about 15 years, and now works for new owner, Bunce, who “lets the chips fall where they may.” Cassesi said Bunce allowed him to take all the Indian groups and archeologist “out to every site they wanted to see and every site that I knew about.” Bunce “had no idea what they would find – 1 site or 100,” In the end the panel of supervisors and planning commissioners decided to rename the “Special Planning Area-Interim” designation, calling it a “Restricted Planning Area” designation. Planner Susan Grijalva said Bunce has no project proposal for Arroyo Seco, but only sought to have criteria for the designation clarified and approved or discarded by the panel. The panel will meet again in 2 or 3 weeks, to revisit the “economic element” and also the “Urban Reserve” land designation. No date has been set for the next meeting. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – A pilot land stewardship program could include the Upper Mokelumne River watershed in Amador, Calaveras and Alpine counties, according to a report given to Amador Supervisors Tuesday. John Hoffman presented a written report and addressed Supervisors, telling of Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s “Land Disposition” program, which began in 2004 during the company’s bankruptcy. PG&E’s “Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council” created a $70 Million Dollar fund for “studies, transactions, maintenance and capital improvements” on its land, in an effort to dispose of surplus lands. PG&E owns 140,000 acres, half of which is considered surplus. The program aimed at preserving and enhancing land use, including for: natural fish, wildlife and plant habitat; open space; public outdoor recreation; sustainable forestry; agriculture; and historic values. The program included the “grant of a conservation easement” for each parcel, with the aim to have the lands financed by other groups, “so that the totality of dispositions will be tax neutral in each county.” Four initial pilot programs evaluated by PG&E showed that “interest in owning the land or holding the conservation easement was less than expected,” the report said. “In fact, it appears there may be no interest in some lands at all. To compensate,” PG&E will now consider lands on a “watershed basis.” Among those is the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed, “with encouragement for a single easement holder for all lands within the watershed.” The Amador, Alpine and Calaveras county watershed will be considered, and would include PG&E donating: 1 acre in Calaveras; 1,028 acres in Alpine; and 2,851 acres in Amador. The Amador lands, around Bear River, Moke River and Cole Creek include the 4 powerhouses at Salt Springs, Tiger Creek, Electra and West Point. Hoffman noted that Bear River and Cole Creek are mostly surrounded by U.S. Forest Service lands, and Cole Creek is in partial wilderness; and the Moke River is recommended for “Wild and Scenic Status.” Recommendations by PG&E for the Amador lands include a new trail around Lake Tabeaud; a conservation easement to ensure a “higher level of open space in perpetuity;” designating “old forests for habitat;” evaluating grazing potential; studying cultural and historic resources; and managing forest fuels. Also recommended is adding access to the Ritchie youth church camp and formalizing or restricting off-highway vehicle access. Sustainable forestry suggestions include complimenting adjacent wilderness management, promoting natural forest development, preserving old forests at Tiger Creek, and establishing a Tiger Creek demonstration forest. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County - 3rd District Congressman Dan Lungren took Amador County by storm last week, laying out his ideas and policy plans for improvements to the local economy. All this revolved around an awards ceremony at the Board Chambers last weekend honoring Lungren for “his dedication to local business.” Earlier that same day, in an exclusive interview on TSPN, Lungren emphasized the importance of small business in his political ideology. Lungren’s local tour continued as he addressed constituents in Martell in a session sponsored by the Amador County Republican Central Committee. While Lungren’s speech covered a wide range of topics, certain subjects – like proposed Indians Casinos – stood out as hot button issues. Lungren answered to the concerns of Plymouth residents and anti-casino activists like Butch Cranford by giving his rundown of the complicated history of tribal-federal government relationships. Lungren took a much harsher stance when it came to international affairs, and disapproved of President Barack Obama’s “soft” approach to diplomacy in Europe during the G20 Summit. He referred to Obama’s dealings with Turkey as “apologizing for America.” Answering one audience members query about the feasibility of a nuclear free word, Lungren said “I’m going to surprise you.” He outlined recent legislation he co-authored with Democrat Jim McGovern called the Global Security Priorities Resolution, with the intent to “reduce the number of and accessibility to nuclear weapons and preventing their proliferation.” The proposal would redirect funds currently used for nuclear proliferation to help educate children in Africa. Lungren called this method “soft diplomacy.” Lungren’s stumping culminated with visits to Amador and Calaveras County food banks. Lungren had previously expressed his support of the new San Andreas Food Bank facility. The 5000-square-foot facility, which opened earlier this year and was celebrated in a ceremony in late March, is only the latest improvement in operations for The Resource Connection. Lungren referred to the new operation as “a grand step in the right direction.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – Police are seeking the vandal who “tagged” the exterior wall of Volcano Glass Works in Jackson last Friday. Downtown Jackson, which already has more than its fair share in problems, has been the scene for a number of criminal activities in recent months, from assault to rape and alcoholic beverage violations at the National Hotel. Jackson Police were contacted about the graffiti, but claimed no record of an incident report when contacted directly by TSPN. Vicki Roche of Volcano Glass Works said the incident occurred sometime Friday night. She said the owner of the building was in the process of finding paint to cover up the markings. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to adjust a memorandum of understanding for the Amador County Recreation Agency that could more easily allow the agency to seek a tax ballot or a bond issuance initiative for funding. ACRA Executive Director Tracey Towner-Yep said she thought it was unlikely that the agency would seek to have a voter-approved tax, but it was a power that she believed the agency already has as a Joint Power Authority. Towner-Yep said the language of the MOU that outlines the JPA’s “powers needs to be adjusted to more adequately allow for the possibility of an assessment to finance the development, maintenance and operations of new facilities.” Supervisor Richard Forster asked if another issue, involving Lake Camanche Community Service Area Number 3 (CSA-3) had been resolved. Towner-Yep said it is up to the county attorney, who said that CSA-3 “is a water purveyor, but they sit on” the ACRA board of directors. County attorney Martha Shaver said she was “not sure why CSA-3 is an enumerated member of ACRA,” considering the “anomaly, that CSA-3 was not authorized to offer recreation services.” Shaver said to be a member, CSA-3 “must be authorized to offer recreation.” Supervisor John Plasse, also an ACRA board member, said he took issue at the MOU draft language giving ACRA “the ability to levy a tax,” and encouraged calling it an “authority to impose a special tax subject to voter approval.” Shaver said “a Joint Power Authority has any power in its agreement and that includes any power that they all share or that are willing to put in.” Towner-Yep said the JPA allowed ACRA to finance itself, but Shaver said she was “not sure taxes fall within the word ‘finance.’” Board Chairman Ted Novelli said: “I think we all know how hard Tracey works, and none of us want ACRA to go away.” Plasse said it was the supervisors’ “job to weigh” consequences of their actions, and “a JPA can also exercise eminent domain.” Forster said: “You can’t fear too much. Some people getting elected may favor eminent domain. In this county at least, that has not been an issue with bodies wanting to exercise eminent domain.” Plasse said he was worried about the JPA’s long-term power. Shaver said the ACRA JPA agreement said its “members will have only the power to offer recreation.” The board approved the changed MOU language 5-0. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is pledging $260 million in federal stimulus money to help California address its water shortages. The stimulus funds are part of $1 billion announced by the Bureau of Reclamation for water projects that create jobs in the Western US. Salazar made his announcement after touring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, one of the state’s most vital arteries. The delta sends water to nearly two-thirds of Californians. Also on his aerial tour by helicopter, Salazar surveyed the Mokelumne River, a much-sought-after water source for millions or residents both local and in the east bay area. Salazar said Delta projects will include rock barriers to improve water quality. An additional $135 million will be available for water reuse and recycling projects. Last week, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced a special 30-day sign up window until May 8 to allow farmers in Amador County and 43 other California counties to apply for $2 million available for drought assistance. Specifically, these funds are intended to maintain areas of fallowed fields, keep orchard trees alive, and protect natural resources on ranch and pasture land. "Record low levels of water storage combined with low snow melt has dried up water deliveries to a point where folks are struggling just to keep trees going so they can live to bear a crop next year," says Ed Burton, State Conservationist for NRCS in California. Over half a million acres of California cropland have become unfarmable and are sitting in wait while officials seek answer to the water shortage crisis. Projections suggest that half million could rise to 840,000 acres, with a projected $2.8 billion direct loss to agriculture. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in February. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Plymouth City Council last week approved a resolution that will notify developers that the city is in the process of updating its General Plan, and once completed, their projects will have to adhere to the new version. Consultant Richard Prima presented the resolution, saying that the General Plan Update began several years ago and should be completed this year. He said: “During that time, some project applications have been submitted that rely on the current General Plan and Zoning and others are tied to the new General Plan.” He said once an application is “deemed complete,” it must be “processed under the then-current terms of the General Plan,” and city law. But Prima said a provision in California code “allows the city to utilize the standards set forth in the new General Plan.” He said passing the resolution “would implement that provision by providing formal notice that the General Plan Update process has begun.” The resolution was brought before the city council in its late March meeting and the council directed staff to revise the resolution “to make it clear” it was not a “preapproval of the General Plan.” The council voted 4-0 to approve the resolution. The Plymouth planning department and consultants have prepared the General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report and have taken public comment letters and have also hosted a council workshop. The council will advertise a public meeting in a May 22nd publication and the Plymouth Planning Commission will meet June 4th to receive recommendations on the General Plan and Final EIR. In another noticed meeting: On June 25th, if the city and staff keep with the planning department’s timeline, the city council could consider adopting the Final EIR and the General Plan. Comment letters must be postmarked by March 22nd, per the California Environmental Quality Act. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County – The Amador County Transportation Commission in its April meeting Wednesday could request the participation of the Local Agency Formation Commission in ACTC’s UPlan population and traffic mapping program. ACTC Executive Director Charles Field in recent Amador County General Plan Update meetings has taken questions about the 5 cities in the county, all of which are working to change their respective Spheres of Influence. The ACTC board of directors will consider sending a letter to the Amador County LAFCO requesting its participation in the Amador UPlan, which uses current populations in cities to map out traffic impacts, to analyze mitigation fees. The letter is part of the board’s consent agenda. Also related to the UPlan, the board will consider a staff request for authorization “to hire a student intern to assist with the refinement of the UPlan model and the County Geographic Information System database.” The board will also consider submitting a project for federal transportation funding; specifically for work at the intersection of Highway 104 at Prospect Road and Bowers Drive. The ACTC board will also discuss Tri-County projects under the State Transportation Improvement Program and the State Highway Operation and Protection Program. Staff will also give a report and submit a resolution to support transit and roadway projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or the Federal Economic Stimulus Program. The board will also hear a report from the California Department of Transportation, and could also authorize Field to execute an agreement with the CALTRANS Disadvantage Business Enterprise for local agencies. ACTC meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the administration building, 810 Court Street in Jackson. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stanislaus County - A long-discussed plan to widen Highway 99 will have far-reaching affects on surrounding counties, according to a consultant for Stanislaus County. This would greatly improve traffic flows in the surrounding area and for the many commuters between Amador County, Lodi, Stockton and Modesto. During a recent meeting of the Stanislaus County Transportation Commission, consultant Alan McCuen said the freeway could expand by one or two lanes each way from Ripon to Briggsmore Avenue in Modesto. The Stanislaus County stretch is estimated to cost $73 million. Under McCuen’s proposal, the county and its nine cities would reserve $2.1 million every two years. He stressed cooperation as the key to moving along a plan that has been in the works on and off for almost a decade. The greatest conflict centers on funding, which currently requires pooling money from each of the valley’s eight counties between Lodi and Bakersfield. McCuen said they are more likely to secure funding through state and federal grants. Other ideas for fundraising include higher vehicle license fees, charging tolls on some segments, and charging drivers based on their mileage. If the eight counties -- San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kern and Kings -- bank 10 percent of their road money, the partners could achieve all of their respective projects in about 24 years, according to a draft finance plan. Going it alone could take several decades, McCuen said. Ken Baxter of the California Department of Transportation cited Amador, Calaveras and Alpine counties as examples for effectively pooling their money to produce projects. Further debate on this ambitious and ongoing project is expected during upcoming meetings of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.