Amador County – The Amador County Firesafe Council this week spoke with the Upcountry Community Council Fire Protection Committee about its “Firewise Program.”

Jim Simmons, retired CDF unit chief for Amador-El Dorado Unit, a consultant for Fire Safe Council, was planning to present the Firewise Program this week, entitled “Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Hazards – A Community Solution to a National Problem.”

Simmons and Cathy Koos-Breazeal of Amador Fire Safe Council talked about the program in late January. Simmons said forests in California are “man-made,” and do not resemble early 19th century forests, when European settlers first arrived. He said back then, wagons could drive through the forest floor. But forests have grown dense with brush, and led to the Pioneer and Volcalno area having high concentrations of fuels, and a need to manage the overgrowth.

Koos-Breazeal said probably the biggest issue of the “Firewise Program” was defensible space. The program aims to educate the public, to get them to take responsibility to address fire issues.

She said forests are not naturally thinned, and there have been a growing number of catastrophic fires in the last 8-15 years. She said the vast majority of forests have not had a fire in over 100 years. As a result, fire is much more likely to get into the tops of trees. Koos-Breazeal said brush is a fire ladder to get flames up into tree tops, then it “becomes catastrophic” and you “can’t stop it unless nature does it.”

Simmons said there is public resistance to the 100-foot clearance law for “defensible space,” but education will help that. He said other issues can be addressed to help with fire risk. One is inadequate road signs. Fire and emergency vehicles have gotten lost “because road signs are substandard or tacked on trees.” And on private roads, home owner associations say they don’t like or want signs. Changes in signage would help decrease risk.

Also, there are an “awful lot of single-lane roads,” and dead-end roads in the Pioneer to Upcountry area, which make it difficult to get engines in as people evacuate.

Koos-Breazeal said since community meetings have begun about a year ago, residents of Silver Lake Pines have worked to address issues raised. She was aware of the work, but surprised at the extent to which problems were addressed.

UCC’s Rich Farrington said Silver Lake Pines “took the information to heart.” The residents cleared brush from around fire hydrants, and “they are anxious to have them tested.”

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Amador County – California winemakers helped set a record in exports of wine last year, with Golden State wine exports totaling more than $1 billion.

According to the California wine industry’s leading organization, the Wine Institute, California wines accounted for 90 percent of the $1.14 billion in exports of United States wines last year, or $1.02 billion worth.

Wine Institute President Robert P. Koch in the release said: “California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. Our continued work advocating for a level playing field in trade matters and the creative, long-term marketing investments by our wineries will enable us to reach our goal.”

U.S. wine exports, 90 percent from California, rebounded to a new record of $1.14 billion in winery revenues in 2010, an increase of 25.6 percent over 2009 wine exports. Volume shipments rose 1.9 percent to 425.5 million liters.

Koch said it “indicates that our goal of $2 billion in wine export revenues by 2020 is achievable.”

Linsey Gallagher, Wine Institute's International Marketing Director, said “consumers worldwide are attracted to the state’s renowned cuisine, natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle, and these features go hand in hand with California wine.”

The Wine Institute recently launched a “global Discover California Wines branding campaign” to “emphasize the California lifestyle.”

Wine Institute’s International Trade Policy Director Tom LaFaille said “close to 20 percent of California’s wine production” is being sold in other countries, and makes exports “an important part of our industry’s success.”

LaFaille said: “To help drive further growth, we continue to work closely with the U.S. government and the international wine community to remove trade barriers and open new markets.”

Since 1985, Wine Institute has served as the administrator of the Market Access Program, an export promotion program managed by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The institute said 38% of U.S. wine exports by value were shipped to the 27 countries of the European Union, accounting for $435 million in revenues, up 14% from 2009. Volume shipped was 27.6 million cases in 2010. Changes in the dollar exchange rate, a gradually recovering economy and California’s effective marketing and high wine quality have helped exports rebound.

Other top markets were: Canada, $308 million; Hong Kong, $116 million; Japan, $76 million; and China, $45 million.

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Amador County – The Amador County Treasurer and Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan announced the sale of five tax-defaulted properties will be held March 9 in the Supervisors Chambers in Jackson.

Ryan announced that his office will “hold a public auction of tax-defaulted property,” and the “parcels become subject to sale by the Tax Collector at the end of 5 years from the date of tax default.”

Ryan in a release Wednesday said the “available parcels will be offered for sale on an oral bid basis for at least the established minimum bid. The parcels will be sold to the highest bidder.”

The primary purposes of the public auction are to first “collect the unpaid delinquent property taxes that are owed to the county,” and secondly, “to return the property to a tax-paying status.

Ryan said he “would like to remind interested parties that these parcels must be withdrawn from the sale in the event that the tax amounts due are paid by the day prior to the auction.”

The list on the county tax collector’s website included five properties to be auctioned for taxes, and showed one that was redeemed and one that was withdrawn. Two of the properties are in Camanche Village and also “are, or may, be subject to delinquent bonds, assessments and/or special district liens under the improvement bond act” or a “Mello-Roos community facilities act” bond.

Ryan said parcels may also be withdrawn in the event that certain conditions exist that affect the sale parcels. Information regarding the auction rules, the terms and conditions of the sale, and a list of the parcels being offered for sale, are available on the County’s web-site.

The tax default auction is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 9 in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, in the Amador County Administration Center, at 810 Court Street in Jackson. For more information before the sale, contact The Amador County Treasurer and Tax Collector Michael E. Ryan.

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Amador County – The California Department of Transportation announced Thursday that applications are being accepted for $25 million in federal transit grant funds aimed at providing transportation services to people with special needs.

Matt Rocco, public information officer for the Caltrans headquarters in Sacramento announced the availability of the funds in a release Thursday, saying the funds could help the elderly and people with disabilities.

Caltrans is accepting applications through the Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 Elderly and Disabled Specialized Transit Program, which “was established to meet the transportation needs of elderly people and people with disabilities in areas where public transportation services are insufficient.”

Caltrans Director Cindy McKim said the funds will help improve mobility for all Californians, including those with special needs. She thanked “FTA Administrator Rogoff and all our federal partners for this assistance.”

The program allows private nonprofits, and public agencies to apply for funding to purchase accessible vans or buses, or other transportation equipment to serve individuals with special needs.

All interested parties are encouraged to apply. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 4. For more information and instructions on how to apply, see the Division of Mass Transportation website.

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Amador County – The Amador Water Agency outreach committee is scheduled to meet Friday with the mayor and city manager of Plymouth to discuss water issues.

AWA Director Art Toy of District 5 and Director Robert Manassero of District 4 will meet with Interim City Manager Jeff Gardner and Mayor Greg Baldwin at 9 a.m. Friday at the AWA office on Ridge Road in Sutter Creek, as part of the AWA Plymouth Outreach Committee.

Discussions could include a status of developer projects in Plymouth, and possible water system impacts.

The committee could also discuss the finalized costs for the Plymouth pipeline project, built jointly by the city and the AWA, with cost sharing based on estimates, which could be updated with the studies.

The pipeline was completed in 2009 and officially activated early last year. The financial plan is expected to lower Plymouth’s water costs, because the amount of water the city uses was estimated to be higher than it actually uses.

Gardner said in January that the city could get a 10-15 percent reduction in its share of costs, and the city’s debt service of about $200,000 annually could be reduced. Plymouth’s net share of costs dropped to about 60 percent, from about 65 percent.

The AWA Plymouth Outreach Committee’s agenda also includes discussion of the Tanner water treatment plant’s facility study, and a “regional approach to water reuse.

Also on the agenda, the committee could discuss the Amador Water System financial plan, as well as water rights.

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Amador County – Amador County Road crews could be working to clear snow in the next few days, and the county road department announced a reminder of county snowplowing policies and practices.

Jim McHargue of Amador County Transportation and Public Works issued a release Wednesday reminding residents of county snow removal policy and safety precautions, because a “low snow event” is expected this week, with a 90 percent chance of rain and snow Thursday night into Friday morning.

McHargue said the county Snow Removal Policy is posted on the County’s website. He said “this week’s forecast of possible low snow means that plows will be clearing lower elevation roads, such as Ridge Road, first and moving up to higher elevations next.”

He said it “does no good to clear upcountry roads before clearing the lower roads,” and he urged patience, as “with our county’s limited resources it may seem like a very long time before we get to your road.”

County residents should remember that “major thoroughfares will be first priority. Side roads will be next, with dead end or cul-de-sac roads last.” McHargue said the “county does not remove snow from driveways or from in front of mail boxes.” Therefore, “county plows may leave a berm of snow at driveway encroachments onto county roads. The removal of the berm is the responsibility of the owner.”

Sanding normally begins after snow is cleared and where icy conditions may occur. Residents should be prepared, McHargue said, and should “plan ahead by stocking up on daily necessities at first report of snow and reschedule appointments if possible.”

County snow “plows will continue to run until snow has stopped and roads are clear.” They may come down a street several times during a storm. The department warned that people should not let children or pets play in streets or on snow berms, as drivers may not be able to stop in time to avoid an accident.

Parked vehicles should not impede the snow plows, and people should not park vehicles or place garbage cans or trash on roadways or along the edge of roadways. Vehicles blocking snow removal operations may be towed away at owner’s expense. Vehicles should be parked a minimum of five feet off the roadway.

McHargue said do not clear your driveway until after road has been plowed. Also, do not shovel or blow snow from driveways or mail boxes into the roadway as it creates a hazard for other drivers.

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Amador County – The Amador County Air District held a public hearing Wednesday before approving the permit to operate and related documents for the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant.

Bill May of Jackson Valley Road told of biomass incineration power plants in Merced and Madera Counties, which last week were fined a total of $830,000 for emission violations. He said the plants likely had equipment that was not brand new like the Buena Vista Plant proposes.

Donna Ogelvie of Camanche Parkway said her property was black when the old lignite plant operated. She said: “I was told, face to face, I couldn’t prove it came from the plant.” Ogelvie said: “I would like to see before it opens if they can do what they say they will do.”

Supervisor Richard Forster asked if they could have a “test period,” or “put the authority to construct in place for a test period.” Air District Counsel Greg Gillott said Buena Vista Biomass Power will have to prove it can operate on their “authority to construct” before they can get a permit to operate.

Consultant Ray Kupai, one of the “drafters of the authority to construct permit,” said a “source testing plan” must be submitted to the district before tests are conducted. A continuous monitoring system will be used, and a “fairly lengthy due diligence process” will make sure that the plant can “meet emission limits which are in the permit.” Supervisor Ted Novelli asked about the “source testing,” and it if will have different items.

Kupai said plant operators will be asked to run the plant at maximum capacity and will be asked to use the highest emission material for fuel, so they can show that they will meet the permit limits at maximum operating levels, with the dirtiest known fuel allowed in the permit.

Air District Director Mike Boitano said “source testing is required annually. They have to do it every year.”

Ogelvie’s daughter, Vicky Martin asked about access to emissions monitoring data, and Forster asked if it would be accessible to the public online. Buena Vista Biomass developer Mark Thompson said they could place data on a website, but it would have a delay from live monitoring of about 15 minutes. Boitano said they should push for that, and make sure the website noted the 15-minute delay.

Thompson said online reports could be summaries, and “there would also be complete monthly reports that are delivered to the Air District.”

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Amador County – The Amador County Air District Board of Directors adopted the environmental findings of county supervisors and planning commissioners Wednesday, in approving the use permit for the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant.

The Air Board, acting as “responsible agency,” approved a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report, as well a “statement of overriding considerations, and mitigation monitoring program” for the plant, which were approved last November by the Amador County Planning Commission, and upheld on appeal in January by the Amador County Board of Supervisors.

Air District Director Mike Boitano recommended the board review and consider the environmental affects and the project alternatives identified in the Supplemental EIR, and he also recommended they find that the documents meet the California Environmental Quality Act.

Air District counsel, Greg Gillott, detailed the background of the Buena Vista Biomass Power plant, saying its developers applied in 2009 to take over the former Co-Gen plant’s permit to operate, and also applied to convert the plant’s fuel permit from lignite coal and wood to a strictly woody biomass fuel.

Amador County, as lead agency, did a Supplemental EIR on the plant, and “essentially looked at the project as if it was a new project,” Gillott said, even though most of the infrastructure for the operation was already at the site. He said the one impact that “remained significant and unavoidable” after mitigation plans was the “accumulative affect of greenhouse gas emissions,” for which supervisors adopted a “statement of overriding considerations.”

Supervisor Richard Forster asked if “two active legal actions against the county affect the air board’s ability to move forward.” Gillott said the suit would not require construction to stop at the Buena Vista Plant, and the board must assume that the CEQA documentation was done properly. He said only a court stay or injunction would stop work at the plant, and if that were done, “the Board would issue a conditional approval or denial.”

During a public hearing, Jim Conklin, executive director of the 25-member Amador County Business Council, said the group supported the Buena Vista Biomass. He said he believed it will burn cleaner than the old plant, and the planning commission and county have “done their due diligence on this.”

Conklin said the county already faces budget questions for sheriff’s hours, furloughs and layoffs, which go with the economy. He said the state as a whole will be affected by whether the state budget is approved in March, or if it goes to the ballot, and it may also affect the county. He said Buena Vista Biomass Power won’t solve all of the county’s economic problems, but it will help, especially in the need for more local jobs.

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