Two attempts were made last week to elicit input from residents on how to spend $100,000 on projects beneficial to the Jackson Creek watershed.

Tuesday morning in Jackson and Tuesday afternoon in Pine Grove, meetings were held for the announced purpose of Jackson Creek Watershed Community Outreach.

A lawsuit between the Amador Water Agency and Protect Historic Amador Waterways raged for years over impacts to the environment in areas through which the historic ditch from Lake Tabeaud to Tanner Reservoir flows. The Amador Transmission Pipeline has almost entirely replaced the ditch and plans are proceeding to cut off the flow completely.

Two years ago, AWA and PHAW entered into settlement negotiations. Last year, the combatants agreed to finalize an agreement which provides funding for a watershed management and conservation program for the upper portion of the Jackson Creek watershed.

Consultants have been called in, studies are underway and funds have been entrusted to the Amador Community Foundation for beneficial projects.

Environmental attorney John McCaull was brought into the situation three years ago to work on avoiding litigation. "We weren't going to be able to settle this in the courts," said McCaull. "We decided to try collaboration." The results are evident.

Consultant Jim Robins told attendees, "We don't want to see hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on collecting data every year. We want to see projects that people want."

Residents in the upper Jackson Creek watershed are being encouraged to submit suggestions for projects, though public turnout was minimal at the workshops.

Further information may be obtained from or proposals submitted to Ellie Routt, Amador Community Foundation's community outreach coordinator, at ellieroutt@sbcglobal.net.