Development Eyes Butte Creek Canyonby Pamela Posey, BEC Board Member
The rural nature of Butte Creek Canyon has great appeal for not only its residents, but for the cyclists, tubers, kayakers, hikers, historians, fisherfolk, artists and general lovers of nature who come to recreate and appreciate this gem in our county. However, not since the 49ers left has the canyon faced such a tentative assault as faces it now. The developers have arrived and have set their sights on the canyon lands for the new gold rush – subdivisions. One of the developers, by the name of Signalized Intersection West, LLC (SIW), a developer based in Southern California, has purchased 326+ acres of land on the north side of Centerville Road across from the duck pond above the Honey Run Covered Bridge along the beautiful bluffs. SIW wants the area be zoned so they can build a subdivision on their property. This “cluster home” development is seemingly an environmentally sound concept, and could be so in a more appropriate area. The acreage at stake lies along steep bluffs, up to the canyon Dylan Smith of Creativity Tree Productions Development Eyes Butte Creek Canyon by Pamela Posey, BEC Board Member rim, in a spring recharge area, and most importantly, in the Critical Winter Migratory Deer Herd range. This area is the southernmost extent of the lands the Department of Fish and Game has designated as critical deer habitat for their overwintering and fawning grounds. There is very little developable land on this acreage. At the April 13th Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting the public will have an opportunity to request that the Supervisors reconsider their decision to zone the area Foothill Residential against the recommendations of the Planning Department. This will be an important decision for the future of Butte Creek Canyon. Another developer, Schuster Homes, has plans for what was initially a 1,400 home development at the mouth of the canyon extending along Potter Road to 20th Street, and over to Honey Run Road. The city of Chico recently expanded the homes to 2,100. Included in this proposed development could be a retail center, BMX course and elementary school. This study area lies within the county’s service area, but as its location lies in close proximity to the city, it may be annexed. Again, this area lies within winter deer herd range and water recharge zone. The residents of Chico and Paradise have expressed their appreciation and concern that this viewshed should be protected. With both of these areas of proposed development are the issues of sewage, water, traffic, and fire protection. Both of these areas have burned repeatedly in just the past few years. The impacts on the surrounding environment would be significant and contrary to the Butte County General Plan 2030’s important goals of preserving and enhancing the rural character of Butte County as well as important habitat and watershed areas. These development issues run further afoul of county goals in the General Plan where it is stated that the county shall limit development in foothill areas that are constrained by fire hazards, water supply and migratory deer habitat. The General Plan 2030 is, for the most part, a sound document, environmentally sensitive and one that needs to be supported. Letters written to the Board of Supervisors or Dan Breedon, Advanced Planning Supervisor, General Plan Update, 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965, stating your concerns and support of their stated goals are needed as they move through the processes of writing the new zoning ordinances and the approval or denial of these subdivisions. Yet even more eyes are on Butte Creek canyon. Paradise Irrigation District (PID) has proposed to expand its Sphere of Influence (SOI) to include areas extending west almost to Highway 99, south to Lake Oroville, and north down Butte Creek Canyon to Little Butte Creek. PID is attempting to address perceived drought prevention measures to access additional sources of water for Paradise and Magalia. This could include the possibility of drilling a well in the Tuscan aquifer near lower Neal Road, and diverting more water from Little Butte Creek. Pumping the Tuscan aquifer up to Paradise is not at all reasonable nor economically feasible. Extending its straw further into Little Butte Creek would drain even more of the life-giving source for the endangered spring run Chinook salmon, as well as affecting the surrounding environment. Letters need to be sent to George Barber, Paradise Irrigation District, 5325 Black Olive Drive, Paradise, CA 95969, with your concerns for PID’s expansion plans. Corporate eyes on the canyon include those of Wal Mart for a proposed development at the Skyway gateway to Paradise. Wal Mart has not given up and has not gone away. This developer continues to buy property at the entrance to Paradise along the rim of Butte Creek Canyon. With two stores already in the area, one in Chico and one in Oroville, this one seems to be entirely superfluous. The impact would also be highly detrimental to the small family owned businesses in Paradise. Impacts on Butte Creek Canyon would include lights shining down into the canyon, canyon rim encroachment, flying trash and runoff from the parking lots. This will permanently scar the viewshed shared by Canyon and Paradise residents alike. Sending your comments of concern to Supervisor Yamaguchi, 747 Elliot Road, Paradise, CA 95969, is highly encouraged. Butte Creek Canyon is a treasure, one that seems to be highly coveted these days. Your letters of concern and support for the goals of the County General Plan are needed. You can also contact the Butte Creek Canyon Coalition for further information and to volunteer your help. Their email is: buttecreekcanyon@digitalpath.net.
From the Spring 2010 issue of the Environmental News. |
