Education     Representation     Water Resources     Land Use

PRESIDENT’S REPORT for September 10, 2007

SIERRA and FOOTHILL CITIZENS ALLIANCE is currently involved in the following activities: 

o         SAFCA has co-sponsored, along with Sierra Resource Conservation District, a study of groundwater quantity and quality conducted by the Millerton Area Watershed Coalition and the California Water Institute through funding provided by grants from CAL-FED. Study recently completed.

o         The County’s Regional Foothill Ground Water Study was published in late March and presented to the Supervisors on April 18, 2006. The Supervisor’s voted to accept the recommendations presented in the report. The Report and the recommendations are available on the Fresno County website. The County also anticipates moving into phase two of the study which will require long term well monitoring to establish more finite trends in well water sustainability. SAFCA played a significant role in getting the County to conduct this important Study. When the Phase II program is initiated we will be asking for people to volunteer their wells for this long term study.

o         Actively promoting the long overdue update of the Fresno County Sierra North Regional Plan (adopted 1983), particularly in light of potential development land use impacts. On going effort – part of GP2000 review (see below). 

o         Invited by the Supervisors to participant in the formalized review process of the County General Plan 2000. We are actively participating in this process. Process currently underway. 

o         Invited by the Supervisors to participate in the “Fresno County Water Management Group” meetings in order to represent the foothill/mountain areas in future regional water policies. We are actively participating in this process and SAFCA has just recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes guidelines for member participation. On going effort. 

o         A participant in the San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Regional Planning Effort – This effort is sponsored by the Great Valley Center. SAFCA has participated in recent meetings. On going effort. 

o         SAFCA supports and is an active participant in the County Task Force for Open Space Buffers (under Fresno COG) between Cities and Farm Land Preservation. The Board of Supervisors approved proceeding with the task force at their April 25, 2006 meeting. This is a major milestone and opportunity for enlightened future planning policy in Fresno County. On going effort 

o         We are currently working closely with the County of Fresno Planning Department, California Water Institute, the Lawrence/Berkeley National Laboratory, CSU Merced and Sierra Resource Conservation district to promote a first of its kind fractured rock aquifer water capacity study in the eastern foothill/mountain area of Fresno County. This could prove to be a very important and rigorous scientific study to determine and implement prudent land use policies up and down the Sierra. Board of Supervisors passed Resolution in support of this study on 28^th of August. Fund raising stage. 

o         A recent participant in negotiations between the County and developers regarding the proposed Friant/Millerton Regional Plan. County must do RP in order to satisfy Federal Fish and Wildlife requirement for a regional habitat plan in order for F & W to recommend to B of R the allotment of water to Fresno Co. County will require developers to pay for RP process. Encompasses area from Friant to Auberry Rd and from Little Dry Creek to Millerton Rd. On going 

o         SAFCA invited by Supervisor Waterston to participate in Fresno County Strategic Planning Effort. We are participants and attended the meeting the end of June. Some what similar to the SJV Blueprint effort. On going effort 

o         SAFCA currently working to build a coalition of water/landuse organizations in Mariposa, Madera and Tulare counties to address our common growth pressure issues. Ongoing effort. 

o         SAFCA has developed a positive, on going, working relationship with the Fresno County Bd. Of Supervisors, the Public Works and Planning Department Staff, State and other political representatives. This is important in order to allow SAFCA to creditably voice concerns and promote change regarding water and land use issues that more and more confront our foothill and mountain communities.  

Those interested in any of the above activities are highly encouraged to volunteer your time and effort toward producing positive outcomes. Please contact Gary Temple at 855-5653 or Jim Macy at 855-5797.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT for SAFCA MEETING OF MAR. 8, 2006

      Sierra and Foothill Citizens Alliance is currently involved in the following activities:

o         SAFCA has co-sponsored, along with Sierra Resource Conservation District, a study of groundwater quantity and quality conducted by the Millerton Area Watershed Coalition and the California Water Institute through funding provided by grants from CAL-FED. Report due from CWI/CSUF late spring 2006.

o         Actively promoting the long overdue update of the Fresno County Sierra North Regional Plan (adopted 1982), particularly in light of potential development land use impacts and the proposed casino. On going effort – part of GP2000 review (see below).

o         Invited by the Supervisors to participant in the formalized review process of the County General Plan 2000. We are actively participating in this process. SAFCA participated in the December 05 meeting where the County Draft Foothill Water Study was presented (Final Study Report due soon. SAFCA will obtain copy to share). Next meeting to be determined.

o         Invited by the Supervisors to participate in the Fresno County Water Advisory Committee “Working Group” meetings in order to represent the foothill/mountain areas in future regional water policies. We are actively participating in this process. Next meeting March 16, 2006.

o         An active participant in the decision making processes for the Measure “C” Transportation tax extension. SAFCA made oral presentations at Steering Committee meeting of Jan 6, 2006. Measure “C” on November Ballot. SAFCA supports.

o         Mobilized to convince local, state and federal officials to locate Indian casinos off of “Indian Lands” by locating them in urban infrastructure rich areas and not in the Sierra Foothills where water, traffic and pollution impacts would be greatest. SAFCA supports Supervisors resolutions limiting Casino construction and expansion but with proviso that successful tribes share wealth with those tribes that may be dis-infranchized by these resolutions.

o         A participant in the San Joaquin Valley Regional Water Planning Effort – Water Supply and Delivery Sub Committee. This effort is sponsored by SJ Valley Federal and State legislators. SAFCA participated in December meeting. Next meeting to be determined.

o         SAFCA supports and has made a request to be an active participant in the County proposed Task Force for Open Space and Farm Land Preservation. We expect to be a part of this effort. County staff is currently establishing selection protocol. First meeting to be determined.

o         SAFCA has developed a positive, on going, working relationship with the Fresno County Bd. Of Supervisors and the Public Works and Planning Department Staff. This is important in order to allow SAFCA to voice concerns and promote change regarding water and land use issues that confront us more and more.

o         SAFCA is currently working with a new citizens group in Squaw Valley to preserve and maintain the General Plan Scenic Hwy. status of Highway 180 as a Gateway to Kings and Sequoia Parks.

o        Those interested in any of the above activities are highly encouraged to volunteer your time and effort toward producing positive outcomes. Please contact Gary Temple at 855-5653 or Jim Macy at 855-5797.

For more information:  info@sierrafoothillwater.org

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