Whitewater Rafting v. Dam Expansion or Both?

I know I’ve been chatting up the Mokelumne River lately.  It is located just up the road from the O.A.R.S. Angels Camp HQ – and it is under threat from a proposed reservoir expansion. So, it’s on my mind. Even though there are no commercial whitewater rafting trips on the Class II Electra Run, O.A.R.S. does offer a handful of special fundraising trips each summer.  (see previous post)

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has released the draft environmental impact report for its Water Supply Management Plan 2040. The plan includes expanding Pardee Reservoir. The reservoir would be enlarged by more than 1,200 acres, destroying miles of the Mokelumne River and inundating the historic Middle Bar Bridge.

If you have an opinion about EBMUD’s plans for Pardee Reservoir, whether you support expansion or oppose expansion, tell it to the board members.  There will be a review the water supply plan, including the Pardee expansion, on Tuesday, August 11. EBMUD hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 11.

If you would like more information about how to support Wild & Scenic designation of this river, contact the Foothill Conservancy at http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/Mokelumne2.cgi

Here is Mikey Wier’s interpretation of the Mokelumne River: http://vimeo.com/4531603