WOW! A little sleep sure makes a BIG DIFFERENCE!
Here are a few items I failed to include in the last posting “ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL”
(aka the District’s proposed redirection of funds formerly dedicated for the raw water line repair to now be used for the new EMERGENCY WATER FILTER WORK).
RECALL: ENGINEER RAYMOND VAIL AND MISSING ORIGINAL LDPCSD SERVICE MAP?
Also performed a little online research early this morning on RAYMOND VAIL, the engineer who purportedly created our original District water service map <above>. He was extremely active in this area from the 1970s forward. He did much work for Tuolumne County and some for other neighboring counties such as Mariposa and Merced. Based out of Sacramento I believe. I noticed he was often associated with water projects, Cultural Resources Assessments, Historical Property Surveys, etc., and there was even some information regarding “Community Building”. He also worked on the La Grange Road realignment in 1979 and a Sonora Waste Disposal project in 1982 among many other semi-local projects.
One thing that surprised me (and could be another reason why the name was vaguely familiar – besides the possibility of owning property requiring annexation into the District), was his work on the MARIPOSA COUNTY LAFCo Sewer system project back in 1971.
I had NO IDEA Mariposa County was planning a SECOND SEWER SYSTEM and proposing to purchase property for that system way back then. The SECOND SEWER SYSTEM was required due to all the DEERWOOD CORPORATION speculative model home construction around the golf course because the old sewer system on the golf course could not handle the additional connections. Unfortunately, DEERWOOD’s big plan never materialized and the sewer system is woefully under financed due to a lack of “active homes” in that sewer zone. The residents around the golf course pay an extra annual fee for the privilege of hooking up to that system and not being required to construct a private “on site” septic system like the rest of us.
Obviously, when you look at some of the lots in that area, part of the reason for such a system was the fact many of the properties around the golf course were also quite steep and installing a “normal septic system” would be difficult and more expensive. As you will recall, when the MARIPOSA COUNTY LAFCo established the district it required us to eventually take over that “loser”, but due to a number of variables including the fact the SECOND SEWER PROCESSING PLANT was constructed OUTSIDE THE PERMITTED PLACE OF USE under the water license, our district has refused to take over that mess.
LEACHATE DUMPING IN LAKE DON PEDRO
Only a few years after completion of the second sewer treatment facility the County of Mariposa had to replace a number of expensive components of that system but there was never an explanation as to why (at least that I heard). Years ago when rumors of tanker trailers “possibly stealing water” were reported, I followed one of those trucks at night from Lake Don Pedro all the way up past Cathy’s Valley towards Mariposa on HWY 140. Subsequent investigation revealed the many trucks coming and going from that sewer treatment facility on Ranchito Drive WERE NOT TAKING WATER OUT…..BUT BRINGING IN AND DUMPING LEACHATE FROM THE MARIPOSA COUNTY LAND FILL INTO THE SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING! (Leachate is that often nasty smelling tan-yellow liquid that oozes out from under all the garbage in a landfill when too much precipitation (rain/snow) filters through the garbage.
Depending upon what material is allowed into the landfill, the fluid can vary greatly as to toxicity. [Potential EPA violations?] I was amazed that no one in the Lake Don Pedro area (even those who personally worked on planning that facility) admitted to knowing anything about this leachate dumping by the county at the facility. Again, much of it was done at night – so who would know? I guess the taunted “LDPCSD problem child” agency of Mariposa County solved a fairly serious county problem at least.
How far back was that leachate dumping procedure planned? Or was it just a quick and temporary solution for a NASTY LIQUID SOLUTION PROBLEM? I do not know if this is still being done, but I guess we will find out when (hopefully) heavy rains return this winter.
Anyway, here is the RAYMOND VAIL & ASSOCIATES SEWER ZONE NO 1 COUNTY SERVICE AREA DON PEDRO 1-M map.
(“They” sure didn’t misplace or lose this one huh? – lol)
December 1971 MAP
People often ask – why did the district continue to provide water outside the POU? Good question and I believe part of that answer revolves around the GENERAL MANAGER who was in charge at the time who believed the district could serve water where needed – regardless of STATE RESTRICTIONS. This “District Expansion Program” has been passed on through the years (to some boards/managers) despite clear regulations (and logic) to the contrary.
FINALLY! AFTER 21 YEARS A 2001 ANNEXATION PROCEDURE !
One of the reasons the flood of annexations stopped was due to a State wide halting of such actions in the mid 1980s due to obvious confusion and highly irregular additions to existing agencies. The District in 2001 finally established an ANNEXATION PROCEDURE but it was way too late.
OK folks, that’s it for now, {as you all breathe a sigh of relief}… Although there is much more I would like to share with you (I learn more everyday) I MUST GET OUTSIDE FOR SOME YARD WORK – NO MORE EXCUSES! – I think my dog is threatening me – lol
Even though this may all end up being a waste of time in actually correcting the situation, I am never-the-less compelled to try or will for the rest of my life regret not following up on what I believe in my heart and mind to be absolute wrongful and unethical treatment to the residents, and future residents, of our beautiful residential subdivision.
– betcha I left some *&^%$#@ tools out in the unexpected rain last night too -dang it! 🙁
My best to you and yours, Lew
