Depth analysis on an idea to flood a new stretch of the Mokelumne River will continue with extension of a public-comment period.

The new period closes May 4 on East Bay Municipal Utility District's Pardee Dam proposal.

Already claiming EBMUD has disenfranchised Amador County citizens in proposing to increase water storage behind the dam, local supervisors March 31 heard data that seemingly goes to oppose EBMUD's proposal on economic grounds, in addition to social and environmental grounds raised previously. The same day, they called for an extension of public comment, which had been scheduled to close April 6. A day later, EBMUD announced it was agreeing to that and similar calls made by foothills interests.

Supervisors also presented an unofficial majority view that EBMUD's handling so far of the water issue seems fast and loose.

Resident Pete Bell, representing the nonprofit Foothill Conservancy, told supervisors that EBMUD's proposal phrase - "raising Pardee Dam" - is a misnomer and is misleading, concealing agency costs that could translate into hugely expensive water.

"We're talking a brand-new, 400-foot dam (downstream) with a cost estimate to EBMUD of $10,000 per acre-foot of stored water, not counting Highway 49 bridge replacement," Bell said. "Water will be unaffordable in price to consumers - around $900 an acre-foot."

District 2 Supervisor Richard Forster said that kind of price range could be risky for EBMUD.

"(A previous) proposal at the same price was beat on economics, not environmental," Forster said.

Supervisors closed ranks behind foothills citizens who say they're not getting a fair shake from EBMUD. They also agreed Amador has no interest in looking immediately to get something for itself out of playing ball with EBMUD.

"It's a new dam, right?" said District 4 SupervisorLouis Boitano. "Why don't we call it what it is -- 'New Pardee?' EBMUD wants to play this game, but wants to make up the rules as they go. I don't like those games."

Chairman Ted Novelli said, "The Mokelumne River starts in Alpine County - EBMUD has not contacted them."

District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto said, "Whether the project's good or bad, the way they've gone about it is flat wrong."

Cross-county-line solidarity is the strategy to take, officials agreed.

A meeting April 1 on the subject in Calaveras County drew some 250 people, with an overflow crowd equaling that seen at an earlier EBMUD-hosted meeting at Amador Water Agency offices.

"The land on either side of that river doesn't know the difference between counties," said Debbie Dunn, an agency director.

Boitano said, "We have to figure on a united front. If we fracture and say, 'Can we get some water out of it?' we'll fail."

Forster said, "Because some of our citizens have not been allowed to attend public forums (at too-small facilities chosen by EBMUD), we have to oppose it in principle. At some future point, we'll have to take a firm stand on (the substantive issue)."

EBMUD has said that for long-term consumption, it will need water storage equivalent to a Pardee Dam 33 feet higher than the current 345-foot dam. For long-term flood control, an increase needed is 46 feet in dam height, the agency has said.

Public comment on EBMUD's 2040 water proposal can be made by writing to Thomas B. Francis, PE, EBMUD Water Supply Improvements Division, 375 11th St., MS 407, Oakland, 94607, e-mail tfrancis@ebmud.com.