AUBURN, Calif – On April 23, Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Director of Resource Development, Andy Fecko, testified before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Federal Lands in a hearing titled, “The Devastating Impacts of Wildland Fires and the Need to Better Manage our Overgrown, Fire Prone National Forests.”

Restoring health to forest and ranglelands requires a balanced approach, and Fecko urged the Committee to consider legislative and regulatory reforms that adequately reflect the urgency of the situation. “Land management in the West is at an important crossroad, and requires bold action by Congress and compromise on the part of many stakeholders,” Fecko said.

Andy Fecko – Congressional Testimony

Experts discuss the lasting aftermath of wildfires – The King Fire

Climate change and the ongoing drought are wreaking havoc on our environment as seen by the continuing lack of snow in the Sierras, and recent uptick in wildfires. Many landscapes and residents throughout California continue to experience significant impacts as our landscape is drying up. As our story unfolds, what is the next chapter for our forested watersheds?

A variety of tours coordinated by the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA), has drawn the media, elected officials, state representatives, and water managers from around California to hear experts discuss the devastation and restoration efforts of the 97,000 acre fire that ravaged El Dorado and Placer Counties last year.

Since the aftermath of the King Fire, members from MCWRA, Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District, Placer County Water Agency, Nevada Irrigation District, El Dorado Irrigation District, Sierra Pacific Industries, USDA Forest Service, California Forestry Association, The Nature Conservancy, UC Merced, The Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Madrona Vineyard, Smith Flat House, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Tully & Young have jointly participated or sponsored these educational programs.

Guests have included:

• Regional members from the Department of Water Resources
• County Supervisors from Alpine and Placer
• Correspondents from the Central Valley Business Times, Reuters, Auburn Journal, Mountain Democrat, Capital
  Weekly
• Members from water agencies: Amador Water Agency, East Orange County Water District, Irvine Ranch Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, State Water Contractors, Westlands Water District, and MCWRA Board members and Ex Officio members
• Board of Directors from the Urban Water Institute from southern California
• Members from Buckman and Associates, Dudek, Hunt Thornton Resources Strategies, RMC Water Environment, and URS / AECOM

“These tours take our guests into the watershed to witness first-hand the impacts the King Fire devastation and the drought”, said John Kingsbury, executive director of  MCWRA.  “Standing in sediment, seeing nothing but brown water and burnt trees has a lasting impact that you cannot comprehend until you have been there.” Kingsbury said.

Central Valley Business Times

Auburn Journal Article

Capital Weekly Covering California Government and Politics

Capital Weekly – First things First – Protect the Mountain Watersheds

“The source of high-quality reliable water for the majority of California comes from the Sierra Nevada watersheds and is at risk. It is paramount that our generation streamline federal regulations and establish federal disaster funding relief to offset federal funds budgeted to reduce the fuel load in overstocked forests, but spent on fire suppression.   The quality of life for the future generations of California demand we implement a creative and balanced approach to protect the watershed for water supply, water quality and our environment.”……..John Kingsbury

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