CDC continues to make changes in North Fork

Volney Dunavan / Community Correspondent

(Updated: Thursday, April 08, 2010, 4:49 PM)

A possible recreational trail and a biomass utilization facility, the promised new fire station and expansion of North Fork water and sewer were all discussed at the annual membership meeting of the North Fork Community Development Council on March 22 at North Fork Elementary School.

"The vision for the future hasn't changed in the last few years," said Dan Rosenberg, council board president. He emphasized that the mission of the organization included economic development not just at the old mill site but for the entire community.

Jill Mross, grant administrator, reported that the cleanup of the old mill site has been completed to residential standards using $750,000 of the available $900,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan fund.

The CDC is an umbrella organization whose board members include representatives from North Fork non-profits including the North Fork Chamber of Commerce, North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, North Fork Women's Club, North Fork Boosters, Chawanakee Unified School District, North Fork Arts Council and four at-large members elected by the community.

The existing at large directors -- Dan Rosenberg, Kirsten Englund and Richard McQuone -- were unanimously re-elected to the Board at the meeting. The CDC has been given ownership of the mill site and has installed underground electrical as well as potable and fire suppression water systems.

Madera County grant writer Elissa Brown reported that Supervisor Tom Wheeler and the Madera County Resource Management Agency had asked her to find grant money for a trail which would run from the new fire station across Pitcher Creek to Willow Creek and then attach to Brown Creek Trail. It is envisioned that the project will cost $1.4 million and be disabled and wheelchair accessible with restrooms and interpretive signage.

Brown also spoke of a biomass yard, a cluster of small businesses on the old mill. The project would provide technical assistance through a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The process would include removing small trees and brush for fire prevention in the forest and then using the material to create products such as mulch and compost.

The Yosemite and Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development Council also spoke to their new Community Housing Improvement Program which chips brushed materials rather than burning them. The service is free to seniors, the disabled and tribal citizens in Madera County.

The work is being done in partnership with members of the Mono Nation and is through a cooperative grant involving the U.S. Forest Service and the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council. Cost is $25 to those not qualifying for the free service. The Mono Nation is trying to obtain grant money to fund the entire process including the brushing.

Martha Caballero, tribal administrator for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians reported that the "unique venture" of the new fire department building would see the publication of the within the next few weeks.

The groundbreaking for the station is anticipated to be toward the end of May.

Ray Beach, Madera County Resource Management Agency Director spoke of the Madera Water District 8A that covers North Fork. Because the water district raised its rent several years back, it is now financially stable and that qualifies it for financial assistance. In addition to mill site sewer needs, he promised sewer help for the substandard housing across the street from the mill site.

Beach said there will be $300,000 in funds to remodel the North Fork Library. He also announced there is money for lighting downtown North Fork and approval has been received for the final phase of the revamping of Road 200.

The 1997 master plan has been refined, and a parcel the CDC will sell in the future will provide money to repay the Brownfields Revolving Loan to Madera County and to complete the infrastructure required for further development on site. While there is 135 acres on the mill site, because of flood planes and other geographical anomalies, only about 70 acres are available for development.

CDC information: (559) 877-2244.