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Responding to public pressure, NID postpones approval of canal encasement project

Posted by: Maven on November 22, 2009 at 6:34 am

From YubaNet.com:

“GRASS VALLEY, Calif. Nov. 21, 2009 – After hearing eleven residents voice concerns about impacts to wells, groundwater sources, septic systems, riparian and wildlife habitat, and property values — and with numerous other concerned citizens present at the Nov. 18 board meeting — Nevada Irrigation District’s directors agreed to send the proposed Newtown Canal project back to staff for further review. “We need to review all this material that came subsequent to this meeting,” President John Drew advised, referring not only to comments heard during the public hearing but also to numerous letters previously received by NID but not provided to board members until the morning of the hearing. “I can see the possibility through continued communication that this issue could be resolved,” he added. CEQA documents on the proposed project indicate a mitigated negative declaration is being recommended.

Drew pointed out that virtually all public concern over the project would be moot if NID decides to leave water in the canal. He also noted that abandoning the canal could have impacts on septic tanks relative to nearby wells and that this would be unacceptable to the Nevada County Department of Environmental Health. At the same time, he stated that keeping water in the canal requires a level of maintenance that impedes NID from doing an adequate job for its customers. “I want to make sure that people understand that continued wetting of this canal places requirements on NID, the environment, and possibly homeowners to take care of their appropriate section of the ditch,” Drew reinforced. … “

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November 22, 2009 · Filed Under Lake Tahoe, the Sierras & foothills

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