Did You Know?If you have an item for "Did You Know?" please submit to:
What is the cost of Rural Residential Development?Without a doubt, development adds to county income.But income is rarely clear and free. It is true that with residential development there will be new fees and new taxes coming into the county. But the new people living in those new houses will create added costs. An increase in cars and traffic places demands on our roads. That requires more maintenance and often even new roads. A growing county population puts demands on all our services: fire and emergency services, law enforcement, courts and jails, schools, water supply, sewage treatment, health care, animal services, etc. All of these cost the county money. Click here... to read more about residential development costs The "Environment" is Everything Around YouAlmost everyone has heard of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), but do we really understand what it is? Is it an obstruction to growth and development devised and promoted by well-meaning but unrealistic nature-lovers? Or is it a logical means under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of assessing the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that growth and development will have on the environment in which we live and in which our children and grandchildren will live? You decide.Click here... to read What is An Environment and Why do We Need a Report on It? About the Meaning of 'Property Rights'- Property rights are the right to OWN property, not to do anything you want on your property (Can you burn garbage that affects your neighbor's air quality? Can you build a house without a permit?)"- As land owners, we know that we are subject to the zoning and building ordinances of the County, the environmental laws of the state and who-knows-what-else from the Federal government on land use. Almost all of us have applied for a permit to change something on our land. As landowners, developers must also follow the same rules. Click for interesting information from Monterey County. There is NOT Enough Water for a Drought Year- My sole purpose is to inform the newer residents in the Valley Springs area about potential low-water levels in New Hogan Lake during drought periods. It is not my intention to disparage CCWD or any other agency. With current high lake levels, it is easy to dismiss or forget about drought situations. As the Valley Springs area continues to grow the issue of water availability needs to be addressed. Is there enough water to adequately supply the current population as well as all of the development in the works, and future development? more.Ranchers Have Options- Ranchers do not have to sell their land to developers to realize the funds tied up in their property. See what the Orvis Family in Farmington has done with theirs. Click here for more information.- The Cuneo Family has set aside their land as a 'wildlife refuge conservation area'. Click here for more information. CRV Enterprises- CRV Enterprises, the company building Gold Creek Estates and Olive Orchard Estates (and proposing Spring Valley/Ponte Ranch), has been cited for violations and fined, by the State Water Quality Control Board and other government agencies.- The following direct quotes are from pages 7-8 of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board document Administrative Civil Liability Order No. R5-2005-0120 In The Matter Of CRV Enterprises, Inc. Gold Creek Estates Calaveras County. The complete document can be viewed at the following Water Board website: CA Water Board Report - CRV Enterprises "Extent and GravityThis site was in violation of the General Permit for much of early 2005. Staff made a number of attempts to work with the Discharger to bring the site into compliance. The violations include inadequate storm water BMPs and the discharge of sediment and other pollutants into the storm drain system and Cosgrove Creek.The staff person working on this site is the Regional Board’s storm water construction coordinator and has inspected over a thousand construction sites in his career. The Gold Creek Estates property is one of most significant problem sites in the 7 counties under his jurisdiction." "Prior History of ViolationsThe Discharger also owns another development, Olive Orchard, in Calaveras County. An inspection of that site identified significant storm water management issues and as a result, a Notice of Noncompliance was issued."Spring Valley (aka Ponte Ranch Project)- The 455-acre Ponte Ranch is one of the last large parcels of open range land near Valley Springs. It is an undeveloped area of natural beauty--rolling hills and woodlands, pastures and cattle--part of the lovely views that surround our town. Is this where we want to build 1,000 homes?- Calaveras County's portion of property taxes generated from 1,000 new homes is projected to be $680,000. This amount will not be enough to cover the millions of dollars needed to bring new services, and build and maintain new infrastructure to these homes (roads, water and sewer lines and facilities, police and fire protection, animal control, etc.). - CRV Enterprises has said that they will include a site for a new firestation in the yet-to-be-proposed Spring Valley Project. They specifically say 'site', not building. Who will pay for the building and the staff? - In CRV literature concerning the yet-to-be-proposed Spring Valley Project, they say, "The new development will be accessed by a new road the connects Hogan Dam Road with Lime Creek Road". Note: this road will not be a 'bypass' between highways 12 and 26. It will connect two small country roads.
--January 2006 Water in Valley Springs- Most of Rancho Calaveras residents get water from CCWD.- During an average year, CCWD is entitled to approximately 31,000 acre-feet of water from New Hogan Lake for its customers. - During the last major California drought 1987-92 New Hogan Lake was filled to only 10.5% or less of capacity for half of the six year drought period. In other words, for 36 months out of 72, New Hogan Lake had anywhere from a low of 14,933 acre-feet to a high of 33,453 acre-feet. These amounts were shared between CCWD customers and SEWD (Stockton East Water District) customers for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses. --January 2006
|
