Modesto area irrigation districts anticipate sooty aftermath from blaze

  The Rim Fire poses a threat to Central Valley water supplies after winter rains begin. The Foothill Conservancy is participating in a study analyzing whether investment in fuel reduction treatments, including prescribed fire, would avoid costs and environmental damage from wildfires in the upper Mokelumne watershed. The project’s primary sponsors hope the study will convince PG&E, East Bay MUD and others with resources at risk to... Read More

Yosemite fire shows water resources at risk

To guarantee reliability of the states water resources, Steve Frisch of the Sierra Business Council advocates for investment in the Sierra Nevada and associated watersheds, source of 60 percent of California’s developed water. San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, August 27  Read More

Comments on Sierra forest and watershed Investments

Comment from Assembly members Brian Dahle & Rich Gordon about Sierra forest and watershed Investments ………. The two of us have many differences. One of us is Republican, the other a Democrat. One represents a sprawling rural district, the other predominately comprised of suburban communities. And to be sure, there is plenty we do not agree on. But one thing we are in total agreement is the many benefits that flow from the Sierra... Read More

New State Water Bond

SB 1331, the new state water bond, at $6.5 Billion, is in print. It allocates $1 billion to “Delta Sustainability” and $250 million to all 9 other California State Conservancies. How much of that do you think will go to the Sierra Nevada? See Bill Here  Read More

Rim fire taking ecological toll over thousands of acres

John Buckley of Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center, is interviewed by the Los Angeles Times. See Story  Read More

West’s record wildfires raise questions about development

Development in the wildland-urban interface puts wildland firefighters at risk. USA Today, August 19  Read More

Respected Calaveras planning director resigns

Rebecca Willis is leaving after doing an excellent job for Calaveras County over the last two years. See story here Related article: Calaveras Enterprise, August 19 Letter of resignation  Read More

Rim Fire: effect of this massive fire on wildlife, forest, and watershed resources is already a devastating reality.

CSERC update with key information about the Rim Fire west of Yosemite Park:   The huge Rim Fire expanded by another 40,000 acres yesterday (Thursday, August 22nd), growing to over 105,000 acres in total size.  The fire has now swept into Yosemite Park on both sides of Lake Eleanor and is burning all along a broad front of Park land stretching south to Mather. Precious old growth forests have been consumed by the flames that continue to sweep eastward... Read More

Decision on proposed Calaveras development may shape growth

By Dana M. Nichols Record Staff Writer August 10, 2013 12:00 AM   SAN ANDREAS – The proposed Crazy Horse Estates housing development may only be four lots but its fate could influence whether businesses and homes can grow elsewhere throughout Calaveras County, planning officials say. And that means there will likely be a historic showdown sometime in the next few months before the Board of Supervisors. Builder Sam Mosby, one of the investors... Read More

Action Summary discussion/ decision at BOS

HEADS UP! –“Action Summary Minutes” are scheduled to return to the Board of Supervisors on August 27 for discussion/ possible adoption. At the last board of Supervisors meeting, at least 3 of our 4 supervisors seemed open to eliminating detailed BOS meeting minutes and adopting an extremely abbreviated and uninformative “action summary” of meetings–if the county was able to post audio and video files online. ... Read More