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Residents warn Riverwalk would convert prime farmland and threaten groundwater recharge
Summary
Scores of residents, farm owners and agricultural advocates urged the commission to protect productive farmland and groundwater recharge areas near the Stanislaus River, saying development would permanently remove top-quality soils and harm long-term food production and aquifer recharge.
Many public commenters framed their opposition to Riverwalk around farmland preservation and groundwater recharge. Farmers and longtime residents repeatedly described the proposed specific-plan area as productive orchard land that supports local jobs and regional food production.
Speakers raised the risk of losing deep alluvial soils and the role of irrigated farmland in aquifer recharge. Several people cited the history of flooding in the area and questioned whether designing housing on the river corridor was consistent with flood safety objectives. Jamie Yeagers and Milt Treweiler urged the commission to require additional tribal outreach and to correct the administrative record where tribal consultation steps were omitted. Multiple speakers asked the commission to prioritize infill and higher-density options within the existing city over converting greenfield farmland.
