Community

Tour Group at the Prattville Intake - Lake Almanor

Currently, two volunteer-based groups are active in watershed issues in the North Fork watershed; the Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory Committee (ABWAC) and the Mountain Meadows Conservancy.

The Sierra Institute has worked with and provided staffing to the ABWAC for more than five years and hosts the group's web-based content:

Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory Committee
(ABWAC)

Vision Statement:
"To guarantee a healthy watershed that ensures water quality and riparian and wetland habitat
for fish, wildlife, and native plants while recognizing the importance of
people's economic livelihood and quality of life."

The Almanor Basin Watershed Advisory Committee (ABWAC) was created in 2005 by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to address water quality, land use, and critical habitat issues in the Lake Almanor Basin and make policy recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.  In its capacity as an advisory body, the eleven volunteer ABWAC members work closely with existing organizations. Recommendations to the county are based on a comprehensive watershed management plan, a water quality report, and feedback from the public.

The Watershed Management Plan was approved by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors in 2009 and is intended to guide all efforts by the ABWAC to protect water quality, critical habitat and quality of life in the Lake Almanor basin. Three main goals outline the watershed management plan:

• Protect, maintain, and improve water quality and riparian and terrestrial habitat in the Lake Almanor Basin;
• Maintain and improve quality of life in basin communities; minimize the negative social impacts of development and maximize the benefits;
• Establish ongoing investment, restoration, and coordinated management in the watershed.

ABWAC membership consists of one member from each of the four major communities bordering the lake, one from neighboring Lassen County (in which a portion of the watershed lies), one from the Native American Maidu community, one Planning Commission liaison, and four at-large members. Representatives on the Committee are selected by Committee vote and appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Current Members:

1. Ryan Burnett (Chair) - Chester Representative
2. Aaron Seandel - North Shore/Peninsula Representative
3. Dick Fording - West Shore Representative
4. Carl Felts (Vice-Chair) - East Shore Hamilton Branch Representative
5. Lorena Gorbet - Maidu Representative
6. Rich Rydell - Planning Commission Liaison
7. Peggy Fulder - Member-At-Large
8. Mike Mitzel - Member-At-Large
9. Dick Daniel - Member-At-Large
10. Charles Plopper - Member-At-Large
11. David Durkin - Member-At-Large

Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Approved minutes and agendas from 2006 to 2011 can be obtained by requesting a CD from Emily Creely, Watershed Coordinator ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 530.284.1022) or visit the Chester Library Watershed Kiosk.

2012

January Agenda (pdf)
January Minutes (pdf)
February Agenda (pdf)

February Minutes (pdf)
March Agenda (pdf)
March Minutes (pdf)
April Agenda (pdf)
April Minutes (pdf)
May Agenda (pdf)
May Minutes (pdf)

Want to weigh in on an issue you feel is important?

Join us at any meeting! ABWAC Meetings are open to the public and are held the Second Wednesday of each month, 6:00pm, at the Almanor Recreation Center in Chester.