Tuolumne County Weighs In On Calaveras Plan

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Supervisors have some concerns about how neighboring Calaveras County plans to grow over the coming years.

The Tuolumne County Supervisors voted to send a letter that offers input on the Calaveras County General Plan. One of the regions where Calaveras County is planning to grow over the next several decades is in the Copperopolis area, which would result in additional traffic on the O’Byrnes Ferry Road Bridge that separates the two counties.

The letter sent by Tuolumne County reads, “The O’Byrnes Ferry Road corridor in Tuolumne County is not designated by our General Plan to accommodate significant growth. Consequently, improvements to the O’Byrnes Ferry Road are not a high priority on the Tuolumne County list of circulation projects.”

Calaveras County officials recently met with representatives of the Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency regarding hopes to eventually replace the O’Byrnes Ferry Bridge. The letter continue by saying, “While we recognize the need to improve the bridge across Lake Tulloch and its approaches, the limited availability of funding makes it difficult for Tuolumne County to participate in this project to any significant extent at this time.”

The letter also voices concerns about additional development in the Lake Tulloch area, and the safety issues it creates for surrounding communities. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office helps provide boat patrol operations on Lake Tulloch.

Tuolumne County is also asking that Calaveras County include an aspect in its General Plan related to water levels at New Melones Reservoir. Tuolumne is requesting that Calaveras work with them and other agencies when it comes to pushing for recreational opportunities and high water levels. The issue will be controversial in the years ahead when the state implements the Delta Plan.

The letter was sent with a 5-0 vote.