In December, the Amador County Board of Supervisors rezoned nearly 1.8 square miles northwest of Ione from residential and agricultural to manufacturing and heavy industrial uses. In approving the rezone, the board ignored significant new information regarding groundwater overdraft. The board also ignored the county planning commission’s recommendation that the landowner prepare a master plan for the site and a full environmental impact report.
Future manufacturing uses in the Edwin Lands area could worsen groundwater overdraft, further pollute Ione’s air, destroy wildlife habitat, increase noise and light pollution in the area, and increase heavy truck traffic through town. The county’s action approving the rezone violates the California Environmental Quality Act and the County’s own general plan.
