Education     Representation     Water Resources     Land Use

SIERRA AND FOOTHILL CITIZENS ALLIANCE  

WATER MEETING
October 26, 2004

"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." - Frank Tibolt

A. Gary Temple brought the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

1. 1. Meeting minutes from 9-28-04 approved. Motion to approve by Jim Macy, seconded by Rick Insco.

1. 1. Lee Walker, chair of the Nominating Committee, explained since we don't have by-laws or tax status as of this meeting, and we don't know individual skills or interests yet in order to nominate or vote, that the Board would be appointed for an interim to be decided of 1, 1 ½ or 2 years. An attempt was made to represent a variety of areas.
2. 2. Appointees: Gary Temple, President (Auberry); Jim Macy, Vice President (Tollhouse); Lis Bundli, Treasurer (Pine Ridge); Lauren Insco, Secretary ( lower Prather); Howard Hendrix, Director (Pine Ridge); Todd Babarovich, Director (Valerie Meadows); Steve Haze, Director (SJ&E, Auberry); Wendy Lucas, Director (Meadow Lakes, Mile High); Bob Early, Director (Tollhouse).
3. 3. Interim board members were asked to prepare by-laws, a multi-month project.

1. 1. Jim Macy reported on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting. Very positive results came from this meeting. Supervisor Larson was behind the water and conservation issues. Bob Waterston suggested a moratorium and warned the developers regarding this possibility. Juan Arambula also suggested a moratorium. Waterston directed Phil Desatoff to come back to the next meeting with a data report.
2. 2. The Board of Supervisors is going to broaden the scope of issuing permits and will look at the entire county, including the foothill area.
3. 3. Being agendized at the County Supervisor meeting was their response to the letter written to Bob Waterston on behalf of the S&FCA. After that meeting, we told the county the S&FCA wanted to team with them for solutions to water and land use issues, in a non-adversarial and positive way.

1. 1. Strategy Committee: Todd Babarovich out of town - report at the next meeting.
2. 2. Tax Status Committee: Lis Bundli provided a handout with a comparison between a 501(c)3 and a 501(c)4 organization. It was stated we should get a legal opinion (perhaps Tim McCollum) on the best option, and then vote at the next meeting.
3. 3. Data Collection Committee: Wendy Lucas is attempting to gather anecdotal data for a baseline and to start long-term well monitoring (not metering). Even though the rains have started, we still need to collect well data. Wendy made herself available to assist in filling out well data forms for anyone who needs it. To remit well data forms, 1) mail to Wendy Lucas, or 2) drop off with Anne Neal at the library, or 3) bring to the next meeting. We should ask our neighbors to fill out the forms as well. Only 1 well form has been returned thus far. The last well data project was done in the 70's - the collection of this information is vital to reaching water solutions. In addition, the Board of Supervisors was considering conducting a workshop for key government personnel in order to educate them on the water issue, so collecting this data is critical. Storage tank information will be posted on our website.
4. 4. Media: Lauren Insco reported that there were some articles in the Mountain Press, a mention of our organization after the Harvest Festival, and a very positive report by Garrick Brenner on Channel 30 the evening of our last meeting. In addition, the S&FCA was able to get a table together at the Intermountain Nursery Harvest Festival, and we generated a considerable amount of traffic, had over 30 people sign our roster with interest, and gave more than 75 handouts to interested individuals.
5. 5. Web Page: Jim Macy has been listing frequent updates including articles, news, meeting minutes, letters, data and important links and resource information. He requested we bring suggestions for website names, not necessarily linked to our name, but with a catchy, meaningful name.
6. 6. External Resources: No comments at this time. This committee might be rolled into the Education Committee.
7. 7. Education Committee: Anne Neal explained the website is a wonderful educational resource and we should have a library link to the website. She has put together a small display at the Auberry Library. She needs printed materials, books, etc. for the display regarding pertinent issues to the S&FCA. Our mission is to educate the public as well as the government. It is hoped that a future grant might help us put together comprehensive educational materials.
8. 8. Membership: Jim Macy is currently creating a database from our roster sheets. We aren't really members yet since our tax status has not been determined - once that happens, we'll be considered voting members. That will be more defined in the future. We need volunteers to birddog certain items and share important information with the group.

1. 1. M.E.R.T. (Mobile Emergency Response Team). We need people willing to attend meetings on a standing basis, such as Board of Supervisor meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Advisory Committee meetings, etc. Volunteers would not be called every time, but the S&FCA would have a pool to choose from.
2. 2. Network of Communication: Other volunteers would help investigate watch items, such as rumors of upcoming subdivisions, etc. This information should be forwarded right away to S&FCA board members for immediate response and action. We could ask the county to forward public notices of pertinent foothill and mountain community issues to the current subdivision homeowners' associations as well.
3. a. Current Watch Items: Wild Flower development, Mono Wind Casino, a multi-parcel development near New Auberry, the Granite Creek project, Mallard Meadows, potential commercial development near the center of Prather.

1. 1. Phil Desatoff, Fresno County Geologist for the past 16 years, was invited as guest speaker. Phil gave a brief explanation of our unique geology in the foothill and mountain communities and explained how the county approves development, second residences, and variances. There was also a question and answer session.
2. 2. Phil acknowledged that the emphasis on water short areas is county-wide. If a subdivision is on a community well, there is a 10-day well test and a tougher standard (10 gal./min. minimum standard). Individual well subdivisions need to show 2 gal./min. in 72 hours on 3 wells. Once these tests pass, people buy the lots and then pull building permits. Individuals then have to show a 2 gal./min. well in 72 hours. The new General Plan was adopted in 2000, where adequate water has to be shown, there is to be no impact on neighbors or it must be mitigated, and there must be a plan to achieve sustainability. If a parcel map was approved pre-2000, it is grandfathered in under the previous General Plan. Pump tests are done at the worst water level times of year for more accuracy of conditions (August and Fall).
3. 3. Phil is getting calls from Burrough Valley for the first time regarding water shortages. Anecdotal information does have some impact with the county. Phil explained that reports from individuals with water problems and no new development going in nextdoor have greater meaning because this report would be taken as more reliable (rather than someone with a motivation to stop development).
4. 4. Phil explained that Supervisor Waterston has taken the approach on the side of water, that both the county and homeowner have responsibility to the water issue and let's work together. Phil also suggested we keep the state out of the issue, because you don't want to have to go to Sacramento to get a well permit. Phil needs data quickly - one person made 49 calls to her entire subdivision and found 40 people with well problems. This personal attention had greater impact then a form letter. This anecdotal information went to Phil Desatoff.
5. 5. It was mentioned that with heavy landscaping and inappropriate water use, we are creating an unnecessary demand for water. There is an imbalance to those that conserve or xeriscape and those individuals can pay the price with water problems. Phil explained to enforce this type of issue is quite difficult and can be costly. It was asked if the county could have a role in developing incentive programs and rebate programs to encourage water conservation measures. Phil explained that these things cost money, but it was being looked into. Other incentives could include certain fees being eliminated when someone combines acreage to make a larger parcel (without increasing wells). The county will also look at resolutions to apply for grants that support well monitoring endeavors. Phil also explained that grants can be a double-edged sword because a large grant takes a large staff to implement it.
6. 6. Although big developers are phasing single landowners out, the most important thing is that the Board of Supervisors is now directing Phil Desatoff to act on behalf of the water situation which is good news. Phil's team will also suggest changing the rule so that developers have to pick a designated consultant, rather than their own, to determine water sustainability issues and well production.

Prepared by Lauren Insco

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