Board approves letter asking county to press Caltrans on fire‑danger mitigation in right‑of‑way

The Water and Sanitary District voted unanimously Jan. 15 to authorize the general manager to finalize and send a letter to Supervisor Ray Mueller seeking action on fire danger in a Caltrans right‑of‑way that the district says threatens watersheds and community water systems.

Staff introduced a draft letter asking the county to press Caltrans to mitigate hazardous vegetation and to support a transfer of the property to local control where appropriate. Public commenters and directors debated whether the letter should emphasize immediate mitigation rather than ownership transfer, and whether the letter should include quantitative estimates of potential liability or damages.

A resident who studies regional planning urged emphasis on mitigation first. Board members discussed tradeoffs in tone: some urged adding numbers to show potential costs, while others warned against implicit threats that might slow negotiations. One director said the letter’s purpose is to ‘‘pave the golden bridge’’ so the county and Caltrans see local stewardship as a workable option.

The motion to authorize the general manager to finalize and send the letter carried 5‑0. The district’s staff said the letter is intended to prompt the county to use its leverage with Caltrans and to move toward mitigation and, if necessary, ownership transfer in negotiation phases.