SIERRA AND FOOTHILL CITIZENS ALLIANCE
MEETING
MINUTES
August 31, 2004
"The person who says it cannot be
done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Chinese Proverb. "A frog doesn't drink up all the water it lives in."
I.
Gary Temple brought meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
A. Gave background information on formation of group. Initially, there was a
group of friends and neighbors that realized there were water and
development issues and there was a void to deal with them. Within several months
of discussions, a more formal group was formed.
B. There were approximately 54 people in attendance.
II.
Current News (positive indicators for the foothills)
A. AB2600: Governing body that is devoted to being a watchdog for sensitive
areas in the Sierra Foothills. This might be a good thing for oversight of these
issues.
B. Friant Dam: Lloyd Carter indicated that the Fresno Bee articles were
misleading. The dam was not deemed an illegal structure, but rather the judge's
decision in the case provides a vehicle for more of the water currently diverted
from the dam to be channeled back into the San Joaquin River. No one knows how
long this could take.
C. 168 Scenic Byway: The feds are currently voting as to whether 168 will be
deemed a scenic byway.
III.
Current Situation
A. The formation of this group seemed necessary. Many people came to this area
for the solitude, but our activism will be a necessity to maintain the lifestyle
we all seek.
1. Six year drought
2. Many well problems from the lower elevations on up
B. Group forming as both an educational entity and a voice to local government.
1. Current discussions with local officials seem to
fall on deaf ears.
2. To affect change, there needs to be a much stronger
voice than a few individual voices.
IV.
Review of Agenda
A. The Agenda was reviewed and posed as questions for open discussion with the
group.
B. It was decided to do individual introductions and concerns.
C. Question: Would grants be available for this endeavor? Grants might mainly be
available for municipalities and organizations that
meet and lobby. Group has to decide how it wants to come up with solutions.
D. It was decided that water should be the main focus of the group in order not
to fragment.
V.
Individual Introductions Given
A. Pertinent points by individual discussion included: Community members having
well problems, often including multiple neighbors as well. Many indicated they
do not want to run out of water, want to maintain their quality of life, are
concerned about current and future development and its impact, and want to do
what it takes to ensure the future of our water.
B.
Many had already contacted Bob Waterston, County Supervisor, and Phil Desatoff,
County Geologist, without satisfactory response, solution or consideration.
C. Many learned that when dealing with the
county, empirical data and hard facts speak better to the politicians than
anecdotal stories.
D. Within the current group of attendees are
valuable skills and assets: (Water law and environmental law attorneys, planning
commission member, tax accountants, strategic planners, M.D.'s, P.h.D.'s,
professional and skilled photographers, public speakers, current activists for
Firesafe Council and other important community endeavors, biologists, scientists
and engineers, water resource experts, local water committee members for a
variety of neighborhoods within our region, those with media experience and
media contacts, researchers, librarian with resources, computer and mapping
skills)
E. Areas represented include, but not limited to: Cressman area, Nicholas Road,
Oak View/168 area, Ponderosa Acres, Valerie Meadows, Auberry, Morgan Canyon
area, and SJ & E
VI.
Suggestions for Moving Forward
A. Lloyd Carter, a water law attorney who teaches water law, and
with 20 years news experience, came to the meeting not in an official capacity,
but to help - has tremendous water expertise. The endless growth philosophy of
developers is a big problem. Oakhurst's water problems were predicted long ago.
1. Suggests checking into grant money, State Water Resources Board website for
upcoming meetings, possible development moratoriums, everyone write a letter to
the Fresno Bee to get attention, residents should write 1-page declaration
regarding individual well situations.
2. Suggests focusing on water issue so we don't fragment, to set specific goals,
and to utilize existing information and data, and to educate ourselves.
3. Decisions to be made on name (preferably 'catchy'), whether to incorporate
due to some restrictions on non-profits for lobbying.
4. Also suggests giving politicians viable, pragmatic solutions, help educate
the community, the developers and the politicians on a new Water Ethic (it is
not an endless resource).
B. Barbara Ferguson, Fresno County Planning Commission, has
experience working on important points and submissions to past county
supervisors. Said to be cautious about not only new wells, but new septic, since
too many septic systems in a given area can affect water quality. Current
development backlog is supposed to be handled before more development is
considered in the foothills. There is an increased number of lots and Bob
Waterston approved more. It is important to know what is on the books now and
focus on those items in order to affect amendments to the General Plan in
existence.
1. We are not on an aquifer, as Clovis is, we are on bedrock (water is accessed
in fissures in the rock). Suggests outdoor watering restrictions for new
developments, and water usage monitoring for data purposes, hire an expert to
create a general plan for our community, attend Fresno County Water Advisory
Meeting.
VII.
Water Facts and Information
A. Steve Haze, of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, indicated that the rule of
thumb is, if you know how much bedrock there is, there will be 2% water storage
capacity - in this way you can come up with a ballpark water capacity, and you
can then calculate, based on usage figures, how much water this area can hold.
1. The recharge capability is 10% maximum. In a Madera study done by engineers,
it indicated that if you draw ten inches (10") of water, anticipate that in
one year you will recharge one inch (1"). We don't have recharge capability
- we have seasonal variability and we are mining the water. If you dug a well in
1970, you could get water at six (6) feet. Currently, there is rationing in
Oakhurst.
2. Anecdotal information inspires the community, but verification and facts
speak to the politicians.
3. Certain statutes protect well data. People must understand what will be
published. There is a form a well owner can sign to release information.
4. Water quality goes down the deeper the well! Very deep wells can have
radioactive materials and other problems.
VIII.
Sub-Committees Established
A. Name & Mission Statement Committee
B. Long Term Strategy Committee (education on conservation, seek political
change, find alternative water sources, develop monitoring system, preserve
land, explore grants)
C. Tax Status Organization Committee (establish type of organization, budget and
funding set-up)
D. Data Collection Committee
E. Media Committee
F. External Resources (utilize, obtain and compile existing resources and data)
G. Other - establish website
IX.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 28th, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center
