About District 4

Fourth District, Calaveras County, CA

Altaville | Angels Camp | Douglas Flat | Murphys | Vallecito

The City Meets

Last night's City Council meeting only had two regular agenda items, but the meeting lasted until after 8pm. The first item drew the most attention as it dealt with the complex relationship with the Calaveras County Water District. As I chaired the meeting, I was reminded "whisky's for drinking, water's for fighting". It dawned on me later that that adage was especially appropriate for Angels Camp as it is attributed to Mark Twain. I think Mark would have been pleased with the passion and directforthness of the conversation. It seems to me that everyone agrees that the water rights issues must be concluded soon. The sewer and water rates already are a challenge. They are going up until all the Highway 4 corridor districts leverage to a new economy of scale.

The second agenda item also concerned water -- the new user fees at New Melones Lake. The Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the recreation area, is required by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to establish a new fee program. Like most people, I don't like new fees. At least in this case, the Act does permit the fees to be retained locally. That means that most of the money collected will be used to make improvements at New Melones -- the money is staying here! As an avid fisherman and boater, I'll pay a bit more but we all will see improvements.

We also discussed pending changes in the fees charged for fishing tournaments. It appears that there may be some short-term relief. But these tournaments are important to our economy. I would like to see a fair and easy procedure for tournament organizers that would encourage them to select our area.

New Melones is a unique public resource in District 4. Public and private investments in recreation can pay big dividends to us in the forms of enhancements to facilities and infrastructure as well as in jobs and commerce.

As always, please use the "Write Lee" link to share your thoughts.