* Home * News A million miles accident-free for Calaveras Transit

As Calaveras Transit driver Livier Rodriguez Vazquez carefully drove through the town of Angels Camp last month, she passed an important transit milestone, 1 million consecutive miles of accident-free transportation for Calaveras Transit. “We have a very thorough safety program here,” said Calaveras Transit General Manager Cynthia Lawrence. “We meet regularly to review safety issues, and that has paid off. I’m very happy with the skill level... Read More

Water pact on agenda

CCWD looks at Stanislaus River co-op Calaveras County Water District directors expect to renew their ability to tap the Stanislaus River this week, re-upping a resource planning arrangement that has helped the district land state grant funds. Directors at Wednesday’s board meeting will look to maintain the district’s longstanding relationship with the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, a working group of more than a... Read More

Air quality improving in foothills

Written by Sean Janssen, The Union Democrat September 04, 2012 Air quality in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties has improved to meet federal standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday. The counties are among nine areas in California to meet the 1997 national health-based air quality standard for smog, also known as ground-level ozone, within their regulatory deadlines. “Reducing smog is a major step forward in meeting Clean... Read More

What Would Proposition 38 Mean for California?

Form the California Budget Project: A new CBP analysis looks at Proposition 38, which will appear on the November 6 statewide ballot. Proposition 38 would temporarily increase personal income tax rates on most California taxpayers, with the higher rates in effect for 12 years beginning on January 1, 2013. The measure would raise an estimated $10 billion in 2013-14 — the first full fiscal year of implementation -­- and could potentially raise... Read More

Water talks have city on edge

By Alex Breitler Record Staff Writer September 01, 2012 12:00 AM STOCKTON – Upstream water users may privately negotiate how much water flows down the San Joaquin River in the future – to the concern of downstream Delta interests, who would be excluded from that process. The state will have the final say on flows. But any agreement reached by the water users as well as other government agencies and some environmental groups could influence... Read More

Jackson City Council Objects to AWA Rate Study

On August 27, the Jackson City Council voted 5-0 to send a letter to AWA objecting to AWA’s proposed consolidated rate increase. If the council doesn’t receive what they consider a satisfactory response, then they will consider hiring an independent auditor. The City’s main objection is that AWA is charging Jackson $19,196 annually for the cost of the Plymouth Pipeline. The City’s water does not travel through the Plymouth Pipe and AWA... Read More

Sierra MapGuide goes wireless

Travelers and visitors of all ages who are preparing to venture into the Sierra Nevada are invited to enjoy free downloads of a new mobile phone “app” for the National Geographic Sierra MapGuide. Sierra Nevada travel tips, restaurants, tourist information and more are now as close as your smart phone thanks to these new apps available for iPhone and Android devices. The MapGuide features more than 1,500 destinations provided by local residents... Read More

Act now to save CEQA.

Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:22:25 -0400 As the 2012 California Legislative Session speeds to a close on August 31st, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has again become the currency of the Capitol’s back room traders. Right now, the integrity of CEQA is seemingly being offered up by Democrats seeking Republican votes needed to pass last-minute bills – bills being drafted without public hearings and outside of committee review.... Read More

Water rights panel speaks at Workgroup Summit

Mountain Democrat On July 17, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Executive Director John Kingsbury moderated a panel of four legal experts in California water rights at  the Sierra Water Workgroup Summit at King’s Beach, North Lake Tahoe. Kingsbury framed the issues: A lot of people think they have water rights, but do they really? What exactly are water rights: area of origin, senior, junior, pre- and post-1914, riparian? The state... Read More

Ruling hampers Yosemite-area resort plan

Written by Union Democrat staff August 02, 2012  01:23 pm A federal appeals court upheld a ruling on Friday  that a California developer does not have the rights to build a road connecting  his property to Yosemite National Park. Solvang developer Lewis Geyser, head of Hazel  Green Ranch LLC, wanted to construct the road to reduce travel time for visitors  to the upscale 300-building resort he wants to construct on the 83-acre  property.  ... Read More