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Board raises concern after members report dewatering discharges south of State Road 2; staff ordered to investigate
Summary
A board member reported seeing two active dewatering discharges south of State Road 2 along Strawberry Road; staff were directed to take photos, speak to contractors (CNE Excavating referenced), and investigate, with a report and permit history due at the Nov. 11 meeting.
A board member (Speaker 3, unnamed) said they drove Strawberry Road and observed two dewatering discharge points on work being done south of State Road 2 and between a pipeline and State Road 2. The speaker said they photographed the discharges and asked whether county staff had any record of permits for that activity.
Why it matters: Dewatering discharges can change downstream flow patterns and affect culverts, road crossings and neighboring properties. The board treated the report as an operational enforcement matter and directed staff to investigate before taking permit-related action.
What was reported and who will act: Speaker 3 said they were surprised there was no request for approval and that water levels were higher downstream near Johnson Road and the railroad crossing. Staff advised the board to have county staff (John and Marcel were named in the record) visit the site, photograph discharges, talk to the contractor and, if necessary, require the contractor to stop discharging until permits are in order. CNE Excavating joined the meeting by phone; audio was poor but the transcript records CNE stating they were on the line. Staff advised that permits should be processed in order received and that some preexisting permits are already in process.
Context and next steps: Speakers discussed how the water flows south through retention basins and toward county lines and noted a prior improvement (a 30-inch discharge pipe installed north of State Road 2). The board directed John and Marcel to inspect the Esmejani/Esmeralda area discharges, send a letter if appropriate, and report findings; the dewatering permit items were tabled to the Nov. 11 meeting so the board can review inspection and permit records.
Representative quotes from the meeting include Speaker 3: "Driving up down Strawberry or down Strawberry Road, and there are 2 dewatering discharges... I got some pictures of it." Staff (unnamed) replied: "John, you need to take pictures yourself for the county, get them printed. If they're doing it, talk to them, get them to stop."
