3/29/07 - Amador-Calaveras SAC Meeting Notes

The group discussed challenges to and relationships between water management, land use planning and watershed protection in Amador and Calaveras counties. Many concerns centered around the implications and potential impacts – to water and other community values – of growth and development. The group agreed that growth was coming to the area and it was noted that the right kind of development could be part of the solution to local problems. However, many participants felt that local communities lacked the capacity to effectively plan for new development while protecting water resources and maintaining community character. The group identified ineffective policies, economic challenges and constraints (insufficient resources), insufficient coordination and collaboration, and lack of education/awareness as barriers to gaining the capacity needed for effective planning and management efforts. Participants also identified opportunities for supporting local planning efforts (especially general plan updates) with clear, practical and integrated policy ideas. The group stressed that solutions need to be economically viable, fit local values and conditions, and should cover both water quality and supply issues related to development in the region.

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