by Vickie Reinke of Angels Camp
Keep the Mokelumne River from State control
The Democrats and environmental groups are on their way to designating 37 miles
of the Mokelumne River as "Wild and Scenic".
What does it mean to be designated "Wild and Scenic"? It means that the river must remain free-flowing without artificial impediment, diversion or other modification of the river.
In other words, the water in that portion of the river cannot be diverted for the use of the people or farmers, now or in the future. Any future water use will be controlled by the State.
On April 3, 2014 Senator Loni Hancock, a Democrat from Berkeley, sponsored SB1199 with the support of The Friends of the River and Foothill Conservancy.
This bill will authorize the designation of a 37 miles stretch of the Mokelumne River as "Wild and scenic".
SB 1199 is rapidly moving through the legislative process as it needs to be passed by the end of August of this year.
So far the bill has gone through the Senate and was passed on a partisan vote with Democrats voting YES and Republicans voting NO.
Our own Senator, Tom Berryhill is opposed to this designation; along with every water agency in both Calaveras and Amador counties.
This bill is now going through the State Assembly and has been heard in the Assembly Natural Resource Committee and was passed again with a partisan vote: Democrats YES and Republicans NO.
Frank Bigelow, our Assemblyman is also opposed to this designation. The final stop is the State Assembly floor where it needs to be heard sometime in August.
Our Board of Supervisors authored and approved a Resolution on February 25, 2014 in support of the "Wild and Scenic" river designation.
Because of overwhelming opposition to the bill, the Calaveras Board of Supervisors will take public comment, possibly at the July 29, 2014 evening meeting.
I hope that all concerned citizens will attend this meeting and express their concerns. This law will take future water rights away from the people.
1 comment:
3 Supervisors are for the "Wild & Scenic" designation. D-2 Wright wanted to remove it from being on the agenda. D-3 Callaway read the act and the bill and stands by her vote. D-5 Spellman expressed he was for it when it originally came to the board and stands by his vote.
None of them expressed what their constituents thought about it. Somebody, please define the terms elected representative and representative government.
Then define kingdom.
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