HomeMy WebLinkAboutResignation Letter from Susan Strachan for GPAC Menchaca, Clarissa
From: Susan Strachan <susanstrachan@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2018 8:31 AM
To: Kirk, Maureen;Wahl, Larry; Connelly, Bill; BOS District 4;Teeter, Doug; Clerk of the
Board; Gosselin, Paul
Subject: Resignation from Groundwater Pumpers Advisory Committee
Attachments: StrachanResignation.pdf
Please find attached my resignation from the GPAC. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Susan Strachan
1
SUSAN P. STRACHAN
40 VIA MORRO CT CMCCS', CA 95928
May 22, 2018
Butte County Board of Supervisors
25 County Center Drive
Suite 200
Oroville, CA 95965
(Via Email)
RE: Groundwater Pumpers Advisory Committee
Dear Supervisors:
Please accept this letter as notice that I am resigning my appointment to the Groundwater Pumpers
Advisory Cornmittee. I joined this committee with the best of intentions, believing that collaboration
between groundwater dependent farmers and environmental representatives could help identify the best
solutions for the groundwater challenges we face. I go into these processes with a clear understanding of
the role of the minority. I have worked in similar interest-based efforts before, including as the only
environmental voice,and have found them to be productive and worth the time and effort to serve as a
volunteer,
Unfortunately., I have not found that to be the case in my experience on the GPAC. I am very concerned
about the positions taken by this committee and the commitment to open public participation. At the
March meeting,a member of the public was essentially shouted down by the chair,while giving public
input and again at the April meeting when distributing information on a proposal where staff had directed
to her that was the appropriate way to provide the information. Also at the April meeting,the members of
the committee, with my dissenting vote,passed a motion that the groundwater dependent farmers should
have two votes on a governing board,while:domestic well owners should have only one. At yesterday's
meeting, I came to the conclusion that I can no longer sit at the table with a GPAC member who states
(and I quote verbatim), "I'm not Sure how much protection the environment needs in this county."
I am also concerned that many of the members of the committee are also members of the Agricultural
Groundwater Users of Butte County,have paid $2,500 membership fees to that organization and are
pursuing the policy, recommended by your staff,that this private entity should be able to essentially
appoint members to a public body governing board, with no oversight by publicly elected officials. ' "he
supervisor,city councilmember and reclamation district board member must essentially rubberstamp a
nominee put forth by the organization. That is an abdication of your responsibility to your constituents.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve on this committee. I wish you well in your efforts.
Sincerely,
Susan Strachan