Mary Ann Visher: Mariposa supervisors must act to save Merced River
Tuesday, Mariposa County’s Supervisors will vote on the requirement of a conditional-use permit for mining projects. Currently, Mariposa County does not require a such permits on parcels of 160 acres and over. Mining is allowed by right.
Why is this important to Merced County? Because a number of mining claims lie along the Merced River – the water that flows to your faucets, schools and farms.
I am a fourth-generation cattle rancher. I was told by our county supervisor not to worry, that if the mines took out my water or contaminated it with chemicals, he would make sure I would get more.
This statement showed his ignorance and lack of respect for the ground that has fed and sustained our cattle businesses. I’m not willing to gamble on losing our water. Only conditional-use permits have the legal teeth to ensure my business is made whole in the event of a mining disaster.
Mariposa is one of the only counties in California that allows “mining by right.” I am not a fan of regulation, but not all regulations are equal. Some rules, like employees washing their hands after using the toilet, are important. So is conditional-use permitting.
We are smarter now. We have seen the disasters and their horrible impacts of mining in other areas.
A conditional-use permit is a minimum standard for good policy to protect the Mariposa public and your water. Join me and many others, including the Farm Bureau, in demanding supervisors adopt conditional-use permitting for mining. Attend the meeting, email a letter to rlaroche@mariposacounty.org or visit our website, saveranchlands.org.
Mary Ann Visher, Hornitos
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Mary Ann Visher: Mariposa supervisors must act to save Merced River."