High-Country Health Food and Cafe in Mariposa California

CASA
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open.
'Click' Here to Visit: 'Yosemite Bug Health Spa', Now Open. "We provide a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. Come in and let us help You Relax"
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: 'Chocolate Soup', Fine Home Accessories and Gifts, Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' Here to Visit Happy Burger Diner in Mariposa... "We have FREE Wi-Fi, we're Eco-Friendly & have the Largest Menu in the Sierra"
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California
'Click' for More Info: Inter-County Title Company Located in Mariposa, California

At 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, a very important discussion is scheduled to take place, that may well determine the direction our County will take to bring it into the 21st Century and quite possibly better the living SST LTRconditions of all our residents as well as providing employment direction into the future.

The location of this presentation is the Mariposa Government Center, as part of the agenda for the day. I cannot stress too strongly the need to attend and learn the positive aspects this proposal can provide to every citizen especially at this critical time of change in our environment that is manifesting itself in the form of dead and dying trees in our landscape and in our own privately held lands.

I seriously doubt that by this time every citizen is not aware of the immense impact the long drought and the beetle and fungi infestations of native trees taking place with new victims almost on a daily basis. And the cost to both individuals as well as our County, not to mention the immediate danger of massive conflagrations putting our very livelihood at serious risk.

From what I have been able to determine thus far, this is a new and environmentally sound method of dealing with the problems cited in the previous paragraph – a small-scale biomass power plant generating electricity from local forest biomass. This new facilities cannot be compared to the recent and imminent shutdowns of older large-scale biomass plants in the central valley, using agricultural waste as a fuel source, because the technology is different and the financial basis for operation is very different. The Governor’s Tree Mortality Task Force has been working to facilitate the opening of the new small-scale local forest biomass facilities and in a separate program to save or restore the operation of these old style larger plants if they convert to using forest biomass for the majority of their fuel source.

What is unique about this project is that no County money is involved and there is no financial risk to the County. The site proposed is on 7.6 acres adjacent to the present landfill. This land was recently purchased by the County for test wells, but is not permitted for or used for landfill operations. The proposed biomass facility will not disturb the landfill operation nor the test wells. The proposal is to purchase that land from the County, via a public offering, at a substantial profit to the taxpayer. Other financial incentives are anticipated to be offered in the region of $70,000 to $130,000 per year to help with landfill operational costs moving forward. New grants and private funding is in the offing if we agree to this proposal giving the Mariposa Biomass Project Site Control and thus the ability to receive such grants.

Permanent and well-paying jobs will be generated to operate the facility year around and the facility will also allow year around clearing of brush and trees with no need for burning and accompanying pollution. It will provide a place to take downed trees and will generate more that $3 million in electricity that will be sold to PG&E at a very favorable price.

And finally, it will without a doubt, provide incentive for new businesses to locate in the nearby Industrial Park by offering them low cost waste heat and/or cooling.

As I have said before and say it emphatically again, Mariposa has talent. In this case we are being offered unique leadership by highly qualified persons who speak with confidence directly from their own well of knowledge. We would be foolish not to heed their suggestions. The fact that the project has received a prestigious planning grant from the U.S. Forest Service in a national competition also speaks well of the competence of the local biomass group promoting this facility. www.mariposabiomassproject.org.

So please come with open minds and listen to the discussion, then let your Supervisor know your reaction, hopefully positive, hopefully eliciting a “YES” vote from your representative.

To repeat, Tuesday, July 19, 2:00 PM, Government Center, Mariposa.

Lucille Apcar,
Mariposa