Letter on Miocene Canal to be penned

OROVILLE >> While Butte County does not own or operate the Miocene Canal, numerous residents have spoken during the public comment period of Board of Supervisors meetings, voicing their concerns regarding the fire-damaged waterway.

During its Dec. 17 meeting, the board, while addressing it had no control over the canal, directed staff to write a letter to the California Secretary of Natural Resources to express these woes.

According to the staff report for the letter, the county has been working with PG&E to make progress on the canal but to no avail.

The letter lays out the situation of the canal and the impact the Camp Fire had on it. It closes by asking for the state to intervene.

“We are entering the second year of an economic and environmental disaster along the Miocene Canal corridor created

by PG&E,” the letter says. “In light of the impact to threatened and endangered species, and the increased fire risk, the State of California must intervene.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board will be asked by county staff to approve the letter for District 4 Supervisor and Chairman Steve Lambert to sign and send.

Other business

A budget adjustment, as well as a grant application, will be voted on regarding the Butte County Jail’s air conditioning and heating system.

According to the staff report, the county allotted $1,915,800 to the project previously for the fiscal year but after looking into it more, staff believes it would be cost-effective to also do a roof replacement during the construction.

This will add an additional $3,200,000 to the base cost. The department of General Services and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office will be asking for the board to apply for a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to potentially gain $500,000 to supplement the cost of construction.

During the consent agenda, at which point a group of items is passed by a single majority vote, the board will be looking at a proposed continuing of a local disaster proclamation related to the February 2019 storms. Additionally, the board will also be voting on whether to terminate another emergency proclamation for the 2019 power shutoffs conducted by PG&E.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors generally meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held at 25 County Center Drive in Oroville and are open to the public.