ACCOMPLISHMENTS
~ 2015 ~
January
MOC congratulates Madera County residents for their active engagement in the Austin Quarry setting an all time high in letters against the Austin Quarry at 300. This unheard of response has triggered the quarry consultant to go back to Vulcan for more money to complete the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Tom Wheelers Townhall meeting in Oakhurst in January became a heated argument when residents demanded answers to the Austin Quarry but were given none; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing prices, etc.
February
Tom Wheelers Townhall meeting in Yosemite Lakes Park in February became a heated argument when residents demanded answers to Austin Quarry but were given none. The entire room of over 90 residents raised their hands to show that they were against the Austin Quarry; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing Prices, etc.
~ 2014 ~
January
Community Service – MOC provided a venue for sheriff candidates and others for Outreach and Speaches, during County elections. MOC does not endorse political candidates.
February
Promoted the Sierra Club Seminar on River Restoration; addressed CEQA and SB75
Watching Green Acre Development – "leap frog" developer, area plan not updated.
March
Questioning the Jonathan Project on the corner of 41 and Yosemite Lakes Parkway. High density residential senior apartments, a ninth gas station, another mini mart/strip mall will all be addressed.
Tesoro Viejo litigation settled.
Fire Roads – Policies found to be very unclear, to be addressed.
April
Gateway Project – Water will be coming from Stewart Resnick and Kern Water Bank. This "planned community" has been changed to "pads only." A pad can be individually purchased; several pads can be developed.
Madera Quarry would like MOC’s assistance in addressing the need for the Austin Quarry. MOC already questions this enormous project; will welcome Madera’s input.
Parcel Splits – Updates continue with Koontz’s requests for rezoning, legal? MOC also questioning illegal commercial activities on same property, as well as requests to clean up the area.
Bass Lake settlement – Achieved new sewage treatment plant as well as specific number of hookups/no more building.
New MOC website developed by Brenda Joseph. MOC will have access to County doings, special reports, and much more. Questions files via website will be answered.
Gunner water, rezoning, final EIR. Need 1:1 water balance. MOC commented at P.C. meeting.
MOC continues with Patterns and Practice litigation against the County.
June
MOC gave power point presentations on Austin Quarry at the Sierra Club’s Water and Land use Workshop held at Oakhurst and Madera Ranchos facilities.
August
Continue "Say No to Austin Quarry", information in local newspapers, flyers sent out with websites and updates. Information is in County Line. Consultants will be hired to challenge the EIR; MOC will hire a lawyer if project goes to Supreme Court; MOC will file against county and contractors; MOC will file an appeal if called for.
Grand Jury recommended adoption of Agriculture Well Moratorium. The Supervisors sent the papers back to Staff.
September
Board of Supervisors updated the Integrated Regional Water Plan/2005. They removed actions and policies that needed to be left in.
October
MOC applied for and received a grant from the Rose foundation to ensure that the Austin Quarry Project follows all County, State and Federal laws and ensures the Health, Safety and Welfare of the residents in Madera County.
MOC requests the County to look into illegal signage on Hwy 41.
MOC supported the "Sierra Foothills Composers" Concert.
November
MOC holds Townhall meeting in Oakhurst to explain Austin Quarry and its effects on the county and its residents; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing Prices, etc.
MOC encouraging individual letters to Madera County Planning Commission regarding Austin Quarry Project.
MOC holds Townhall meeting in the Madera Ranchos to explain Austin Quarry and its effects on the Ranchos and surrounding area; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing Prices, etc.
Addressing a growing problem of county employees going onto private property to inspect wells. Property owners were not notified nor did they give permission. Property owners were advised to talk with county Engineering Department.
MOC members and friends enjoyed our Annual Autumn Festival at the Blue Heron. A special magic Show, as well as very informative, up-close and vocal presentations by owl, eagle and falcons, brought in by the Fresno Wildlife and Rehabilitation Services.
December
MOC holds Townhall meeting at Yosemite Lakes Park to explain Austin Quarry and its effects on residents and surrounding area; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing Prices, etc.
MOC holds second Townhall meeting in the Madera Ranchos to explain Austin Quarry and its effects on the Ranchos and surrounding area; Water, Traffic, Air, Housing Prices, etc.
SEMCU (South East Madera County United) meeting in the Ranchos featuring the Department of Water Resources. The DWR firmly denounced the Austin Quarry due to the taking of water from the Madera sub-basin located adjacent to the Quarry.
~ 2010 ~
“Sierra Meadows”
MOC continues to monitor this project in Ahwahnee. We are hoping that our suggestions will have an impact on the County and the developer. Both, water availability and traffic on highway 49, continue to be MOC's concerns.
Location: Hwy 49 & Harmony Drive (315 homes)
“Madera Quarry”
MOC supports Bates Station residents in this re-submitted Jaxon Baker “Madera Quarry Inc.” project. Water, traffic, cumulative affects continue to be of concern.
Location: 1 mile west of hwy 41 and 5 miles north of hwy 145 ~ on Road 209 (740 trucks per day)
“Hildreth Quarry”
MOC is monitoring Granite Constructions Quarry Project.
Location: ½ mile west of hwy 41 and 1½ miles north of hwy 145 on Road 209. (2,298 trucks per day)
“Austin Quarry”
MOC is monitoring Vulcan Materials Project.
Location: 1 mile west of hwy 41 on south side of hwy 145. (1,942 trucks per day)
~ 2009 ~
“Pines Resort at Bass Lake”
Became an issue when the Board of Supervisors approved the development with only a Mitigated Negative Declaration. MOC and the Bass Lake residents filed litigation stating that a full E.I.R. was necessary, due to Water and Sewer and Traffic issues.
The new owners are currently reviewing additional studies residents feel are needed prior to continued litigation. (67 condominiums)
“MOC Supported Residents”
...and the R.M.A. recommendation to deny a proposed Industrial Development in a residential zoned area of Coarsegold. The Board of Supervisors Denied the applicants proposal on June 22, 2009.
Location: West side of hwy 41 and south of Veater Ranch Road
“North-Shore at Millerton Lake Project”
MOC felt that an inadequate analysis of the Water Supply, Cultural Resource Impacts, Traffic Study, and several other concerns were evident. MOC teamed with Revive The San Joaquin, and the Dumna Tribe to file litigation. The litigation was resolved when all parties came together at a single 14-hour mediation meeting. All concerns were addressed through further study or corrective actions, which were ordered by the courts to be monitored by the County and reported on to MOC on an annual basis. (2,000 homes)
Location: East of hwy 145 and road 206 all the way to Millerton Lake
“Tesoro Viejo Project”
MOC felt that an inadequate analysis of the Waters Supply, Cultural Resource Impacts, Traffic Study and several other concerns were evident. MOC again teamed with Revive The San Joaquin, and the Dumna Tribe to file litigation. The litigants achieved success in the Superior Court and with the Decertification of the E.I.R. This forces the developer to go back thru the E.I.R. process and correct existing studies or generate new studies. Our concerns remain with Water, Traffic and Cumulative impacts. (5,200 homes and light industry)
Location: East of hwy 41 to Sumner Hill and between Ave 14 and Ave 15
“MOC Intercedes in behalf of a citizens”
...with county parcel split conditions, where erroneous data was used and submitted. M.O.C.’s information changed the results.
“Litigation against the County”
MOC initiated litigation based on past “Patterns and Practices.” MOC believes the county has failed to follow proper procedures and guidelines in its operations.
“Litigation against Tesoro Viejo”
MOC initiated litigation at the Appeals Court level on Traffic, Cultural Resources, Air Quality, and Cumulative affects and others.
~ 2008 ~
“Road 416 Development”
MOC supported residents and forced R.M.A. and local developers to conform to the Coarsegold Area Plan.
Location: Road 416 just east of Coarsegold Creek
“Madera Quarry”
MOC supported the Bates Station residents legal challenge of an inadequate E.I.R. on Water, Traffic and Cumulative affects. The Appeals Court Decertifying the E.I.R.
The developer must re-apply and complete the new E.I.R. process.
Location: 1 mile west of hwy 41 and 5 miles north of hwy 145 on Road 209
“Gateway Village”
MOC settled its legal challenge with Castle and Cook thru negotiations and a settlement of $200,000.00 per year for five years. This “Grant Money” was awarded to the Rose Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization. Grant money will be used specifically for planning purposes in the South Eastern Madera County Growth Area.
Location: Southwest corner of Ave 12 & Hwy 41 (6578 new homes and light industrial)