The Mokelumne River's Elektra Run. The lower part of the Electra Run would have been under water if Pardee Reservoir were enlarged. Photo by Katherine Evatt.
April 24 was a great day for the Mokelumne River, for the biological and human communities that depend on it, and for a more sustainable water future for the East Bay! In a 7 – 0 vote, boardmembers of the East Bay Municipal Utility District agreed to drop the enlargement of Pardee Reservoir from the utility’s Final Revised 2040 Water Supply Management Plan (see previous article)!
A legal challenge by the Foothill Conservancy, in combination with a plan to share storage in the Contra Costa Water District’s Los Vaqueros Reservoir, and the many comments of Sierra Club members and other water activists over the years finally brought about this important victory.
A very special highlight of yesterday’s meeting was the appearance of former Sierra Club Bay Chapter conservation director David “Chicken” Nesmith, his first public appearance since a devastating stroke, to speak–haltingly, but firmly–for the river and its creatures, thanking the Board for its decision! Viva, Chicken!
Thanks to all of you who have supported this campaign over the years!
Sonia Diermayer, co-chair, Water Committee, Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter
Thanks, Sonia and the SF Bay Chapter, for all your work on this important issue! Now we need to move on to secure the future of the Mokelumne with National Wild and Scenic River designation.