Upper Ridge residents press county for commitment on Magalia Dam Road widening

Residents of Upper Ridge urged Butte County supervisors on Sept. 9 to clarify whether the county will commit to widening Magalia Dam Road, saying the Paradise Irrigation District (PID) board wanted a county position at an upcoming meeting.

Chris Rowan, representing the Upper Ridge Community Council, told the board he and others “are a little concerned” because the PID board meeting was scheduled for the following Wednesday and the district expected to know the county’s position on the road project. Rowan said the community sees the widening as a necessary safety project—“we need to widen it… Emergency service is getting through, whether it's evacuation or it's just general commerce”—and asked the county to provide funding clarity so the PID board could move forward.

Supervisor Teeter acknowledged the issue and said he and Supervisor Connolly could serve as an ad hoc committee to meet with the CAO, the sheriff and code enforcement to discuss illegal camping and related community-safety matters in the ridge communities; supervisors agreed to form the ad hoc group. County staff did not provide a county funding commitment at the meeting, and public-works staff did not respond to an email from residents noted in public comment.

Discussion vs. decision: This was public comment; the board did not make a formal funding commitment at the meeting but agreed to form an ad hoc group to discuss related safety and enforcement issues.

What's next: Residents said they will attend the PID meeting seeking a county commitment; supervisors asked staff to follow up and the ad hoc committee to convene.