PRESIDENT’S REPORT for April 15, 2008

   SIERRA and FOOTHILL CITIZENS ALLIANCE

    is currently involved in the following initiatives:

o        The County’s Regional Foothill Ground Water Study was published in late March of 2006 and presented to the Supervisors on April 18, 2006. The Supervisor’s voted to accept the report. The Report and the recommendations are available on the Fresno County website. The recommendations are under review by the FCWAC and include 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 our local residents to volunteer their wells for this long term study.

o        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 active participants in this important process. Process currently underway. 

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 (under Fresno COG) for Open Space Buffers 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, UC Merced and the 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 2007. Initial grant for funding submitted to DWR Jan. 2008. Results pending. 

      SAFCA is currently participating on an ad hoc committee, sponsored by Fresno County, to form the Water Stewardship Forum of Eastern Fresno County. This will be a forum of interested stakeholders including citizens, business and development interests and community based organizations. The purpose of this forum is to work with the Fresno County Water Advisory Committee in developing sustainable water resource policies in the mountain/foothill areas of the County and ultimately be acted upon and implemented by the County  Bd. of Supervisors. Current effort. 

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

o        SAFCA is currently exploring, with California Water Institute and Sierra Resource Conservation District, the possibility of creating an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) for eastern Fresno County. This effort will ultimately dovetail with other water resource initiatives noted above. 

o        SAFCA has recently examined water resource impacts relating to a proposed 160 parcel development in Auberry. 

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. We have also established strategic partnerships with CSUF and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Sierra Resource Conservation District, Upper San Joaquin River Watershed Assessment Program (CALFED funded) and other entities. These partnerships are 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.