BREAKING – WATER WARS: MOUNTAIN HOUSE, California – OUT OF WATER in DAYS? and a UN AGENDA 21 Smart Growth Community – a census designated place

MOUNTAIN HOUSE, California – OUT OF WATER in DAYS?  and a UN AGENDA 21 Smart Growth Community – a census designated place . . .  and More
WATER WARS – MOUNTAIN HOUSE, California – Letter to the Community – Water Supply Curtailment from the State Water Resources Control Board and MORE About Mountain House . . .  Posted on www.StopTheCrime.net  just added . .
COMMENT:  We are still digging into what seems peculiar about Mountain House in California.  ALL week national media coverage has told us Mountain House will be OUT of water in days . . . Our research teams contacted some locals in the real estate profession, in Mountain House on 6/20/15, and were told there had been NO media coverage that they had noticed in Mountain House.  NO Media was there, that they noticed, about the nationwide announcement that there were ONLY a few days left of water available for the community.  In-fact one realtor only heard about the water curtailment on the community Facebook and an out of state relative who called with concern.  Another local comment the entire situation seemed strange, very strange . . .  We were told Mountain House was a branch off of Tracy, California which is ten minutes drive time away . . . There are no stores or shops in Mountain House yet, however, the development was required to reach a certain number of roof tops to start construction on stores – and they have met that build out number . . .  A NEW high school has JUST been completed!  Now they plan to start building a business center.
The USDA home loans have very stringent requirements and strict windows of income brackets.  These loans are difficult for buyers to qualify and meet the income criteria.  (more below about USDA home loans – below)
Mountain House has its own fire department and the police is the highway patrol . . .  Seems there might be ties to the corporation that acquired the land, SunChase Holdings and Rothschild . . . Th BIG corporate players are involved from the building team, to the USDA, Smart Growth, Green Building – a UN Agenda 21 sustainable development. . .  Mountain House is a census-designated place or CDP, a term assigned by the U.S. Census Bureau to communities that resemble cities but lack incorporation or any sort of municipal government.  It seems to be similar to a condominium homeowners association with an elected board and C.C. and R’s (Covenants, Condition and Restrictions) . . . The water shortage could have a significant impact upon the board and all the homeowners if they find their costs must go up to defray trucked in water and possible holding tanks for water storage should the community receive NO more water. . .
Mountain House has the ideal conditions to be used as a template to shut off water. .  It’s really not a city.  Remember, Mountain House is a census-designated place, or CDP, a term assigned by the U.S. Census Bureau to communities that resemble cities and have no sort of municipal government.  Also Mountain House is a smart community following the UN Agenda 21 policies of which deep water cuts are called for.
Keep in mind we do NOT have a Water Shortage.  We have Primary Water – water that is continuously created within the mantel of the Earth.  Water is RENEWABLE . . . Go to www.PrimaryWater.org      Do NOT be tricked and fearful – Primary Water is Good News and we must understand the REAL water facts. . .
_______________________________________________________________________________
NO More Water:  Mountain House – Byron Bethany Irrigation District Ordered by State Water Resources Control Board NO Water Diversions ZERO WATER . . . PDF

http://bbid.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/BBID-Letter-to-Mountain-House-CSD-06192015.pdf

Click above link to view ALL letters . . .

page1image368
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain House -Master-planned community at risk of losing all water within days – LA Times 6/18/15 . . .

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0618-mountain-house-20150618-story.html

EXCERPT:

The board can fine a water user $1,000 to $10,000 per day for violating the curtailment order or subsequent “cease and desist” orders issued by regulators.

The district will keep supplying water to the town “until we have had the opportunity to fully evaluate the curtailment notice,” said Gilmore, adding that it is also considering litigation to protect its water rights.

In addition to Mountain House, about 160 local farmers are affected by the curtailment order, Gilmore said. Without water, the area would lose almost 10,000 acres of almonds, cherries, sweet corn, grapes, tomatoes, walnuts and other crops, he said.

In Mountain House, lawns, shrubbery, parks and athletic fields are at risk, said Edwin Pattison, general manager of the Mountain House Community Services District.

If it loses its water supply, Mountain House could be forced to draw down its storage in a few days and then be without water, Pattison said.

But “that’s the worst-case scenario,” Pattison added, saying that he believes he will be able to find another water supplier with older water rights that has water in storage that it can sell.

“The reality is we’re going to get some water supply,” he said. “The question is: Is it going to be enough to maintain permanent landscaping or are we going to lose tens of millions of dollars of value that supports the aesthetics of this community?”

If Pattison fails to find other water, the community and the irrigation district could negotiate with the water board to keep water flowing.

_________________________________________________________________
Mountain House: Water will flow – Golden State Newspapers: Tracy Press News . . .

http://www.goldenstatenewspapers.com/tracy_press/news/mountain-house-water-will-flow/article_1eb66f3e-152c-11e5-92a1-ebba758220b9.html

EXCERPT:
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:04 pm
By Denise Ellen Rizzo | 0 comments
MOUNTAIN HOUSE — Residents heard at a town hall meeting Tuesday that water will still flow to their homes, despite reports that the state would be shutting off their water in two days’ time.
“Are they going to cut the water off to this community? Not at all,” General Manager Edwin Pattison said. “Right now, I am probable that we’re going to obtain an alternative water supply. We’ll get this community through the end of this year and through conservation efforts. You can be assured you will be OK.”
Pattison explained that he had started the process of buying a humanitarian emergency water supply before the state board ordered curtailment of pre-1914 water rights on Monday. The curtailment means Byron Bethany Irrigation District — Mountain House’s only source of water — can no longer pump from the Delta, and he said that might mean less water available to residents.
“We’re in somewhat of an epic water crisis in the state of California,” Pattison told more than 100 people in the Michael Forbes McGrew Board Room at 230 S. Sterling Drive.
________________________________________________________________________________
      _______________________________________________________________________________

READ the Letter to the Mountain House Community from the General Manager of the Community Services District – Water Supply Curtailment from the State Water Resources Control Board – dated June 15, 2015 –

http://www.mountainhousecsd.org/pdf/Drought6-16-15.pdf

EXCERPT:

June 15, 2015
Dear Mountain House Resident,

In an unprecedented move [but not without surprise in this fourth year of a drought], the state agency that regulates Post-1914 water rights exerted regulatory discretion under the state drought emergency declaration to begin curtailing Pre-1914 water rights. The implications of this state action could impact the community of Mountain House.

Mountain House will not run out of water as some reports have stated in the press recently. Your Mountain House Board and staff have been aware of this potential issue and have been working to minimize potential harm to the community. As we speak, staff is working to secure an alternative water supply that combined with prudent conservation measures will carry us through the end of this year [Let’s hope and pray for a large Sierra Snowpack this next winter!]

Mountain House – Home

http://www.mountainhousecsd.org/

Image description
We had a 38.5% reduction of water usagage in December 2014
_______________________________________________________________________________________
  • Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans | USDA Rural …

    www.rd.usda.gov/programs…/single-family-housing-direct-homeloans

    Loan funds may be used to help low-income individuals or households purchase homesin rural areas. Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a …

  • Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program | USDA …

    www.rd.usda.gov/…/single-family-housing-guaranteed-loan-program

    Home · About RD … provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders in order to reduce the risk of extending 100% loans to eligible rural homebuyers.

      ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

In the news

USDA Seeks Applications for Loans and Grants to Create Jobs and Support Rural Economic Development

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications for loans and grants to support business expansion, create jobs and increase economic opportunities in rural communities.

“Small businesses are the engine that drives job creation and investment capital coupled with business savvy provide the spark that gets that engine running” Vilsack said. “This funding will help the nation’s rural microentrepreneurs strengthen their capacity to create jobs, grow their businesses and fuel the economy. USDA is working with local organizations to provide capital to help small business owners achieve higher performance.”

Funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). The 2014 Farm Bill reauthorized the program through 2018. For Fiscal Year 2015, more than $16 million is available in loans and grants.

Details about how to apply for this are on page 35299 of the June 19 Federal Register. Application forms may be obtained from any USDA Rural Development State Office.

RMAP provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to help microentrepreneurs – very small businesses with 10 or fewer employees – access capital to start or grow businesses. MDOs use the funds to provide training and technical assistance to small businesses or to establish revolving loan funds that provide micro-loans, typically $5,000 to $50,000, to rural microentrepreneurs.

Since the beginning of the Obama Administration, USDA Rural Development has invested $72.2 million in loans and grants through the RMAP program to support more than 390 projects that help very small business enterprises.

For example, in 2014, Rural Development awarded a $500,000 loan and a $105,000 grant to the Midcoast Council of Governments (MCOG) in Maine to capitalize a revolving loan fund. The fund provided technical assistance and training to rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.

__________________________________________________________________________
Notice

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2015

ACTION

Notice.

SUMMARY

This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D, for fiscal year (FY) 2015. Funding to support $14.190 million in loans and $2.086 million in grants is currently available. The RMAP funds were provided through the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, on February 7, 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). RMAP provides the following types of support: loan only, combination loan and technical assistance grant, and subsequent technical assistance grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO).
All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications or costs incurred prior to the obligation date.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Census designated place

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
census designated place (CDP)[1][2][3] is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places,[4]such as citiestowns, and villages. CDPs are populated areas that lack separate municipal government, but which otherwise physically resemble incorporated places.
CDPs are delineated solely to provide data for settled concentrations of population that are identifiable by name but are not legally incorporated under the laws of the state in which they are located. They include small rural communities, coloniaslocated along the U.S. border with Mexico, and unincorporated resort and retirement communities.[5] The boundaries of a CDP have no legal status.[1] Thus, they may not always correspond with the local understanding of the area or community with the same name. However, criteria established for the 2010 Census require that a CDP name “be one that is recognized and used in daily communication by the residents of the community” (not “a name developed solely for planning or other purposes”) and recommend that a CDP’s boundaries be mapped based on the geographic extent associated with residents’ use of the place name.[5]
What the Heck is a “Census-Designated Place?” | Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures . . .

http://www.aaronswwadventures.com/2012/06/census-designated-place-keystone-co-tbex/

EXCERPT:

But this insular little community troubled me the entire time I was there. It felt like a resort. Its logo was everywhere. Something was off here. But what was it…

Interwebs, don’t fail me now! And the answer, as I and my fellow researcherLaurel came to learn on Sunday night is that Keystone, Colorado is nottechnically a town. No, no, it’s a little something termed as a Census-Designated Place.

A what?

What’s a Census-Designated Place?

Turns out a Census-Designated Place, or CDP, is a term assigned by the U.S.Census Bureau to communities that resemble cities but lack incorporation or any sort of municipal government. Or a post office, it seems (at least in the case of Keystone).

_________________________________________________________________________________
Mountain House – Annual Operating BUDGET 2014 – 2015 . . . a census designated place . . .

http://www.mountainhousecsd.org/finance_docs/14-15BudgetFinal.pdf

EXCERPT:

About Mountain House

The Mountain House area was originally inhabited by the American Indian Cholbon tribelet of the Northern Valley Yokuts. The tribelet’s territory extended westward along Old River to just west of Bethany. In the late 18th century the Spanish explorers led by Juan Bautista de Anza, traveled from the San Francisco Bay to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Spanish never settled in this region and the land was mostly used for agriculture and stopping off points for transportation and trade.

The name Mountain House originates from the Gold Rush era. When miners traveled from San Francisco to the Sierra foothills, they often rested about midway at a house called “Mountain House” at the bottom of a range of hills. The first Mountain House structure took the form of a blue tent and was built in 1849 by Thomas Goodall. With the help of American Indians, Goodall built an adobe house on the site where Mountain House became a rest stop for miners, stockmen, rancheros and immigrants. Simon Zimmerman purchased the stop and through his hard work Mountain House became a famous way station on the road to Stockton.

In 1940, the last remaining structure of Bethany, the Bethany Post Office was torn down. Since then, the land in the Mountain House area has primarily been used for agriculture.

In the mid-1980’s, the process of creating Mountain House was started as an idea. It took until 1994 when the County Board of Supervisors approved that Mountain House would be included in the San Joaquin General Plan. In 1996 the Mountain House Community Services District was formed.

The Mountain House Community Service District’s Sphere of Influence covers an area of 4,784 acres or almost 7.5 square miles. The current Master Plan for Mountain House envisions a community with 12 separate neighborhoods (“villages”) plus a Town Center that will provide approximately 21,000 jobs, approximately 16,000 dwelling units for a population of over 44,000 people.

In 1991, SunChase Holdings acquired most of the land that would become Mountain House as an assemblage of optioned parcels. The Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified for the Mountain House project in March 1992; however, Mountain House was not added to San Joaquin County General Plan at that time by the Board of Supervisors.

In February 1993, the San Joaquin County’s Board of Supervisors certified the EIR and finally included the proposed Mountain House community in the San Joaquin County General Plan. Mountain House was intended to be added as an amendment to the San Joaquin County General Plan 1995. The master developer was required to help form the Community Services District in 1996 which would be the municipal government within the Mountain House jurisdiction.

The master developer proceeded to secure all necessary local, state and federal entitlements and permits in order to break ground and begin construction in 2001. The first residents of Mountain House bought their homes and moved to Mountain House in June 2003.

By 2008, there were over 1,000 registered voters in Mountain House which was the number required to hold an election deciding the independence of the Community Services District from San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. In November 2008, Mountain House residents voted to have a locally elected Board of Directors; and, five (5) of eighteen (18) candidates were elected to serve on the first Board of Directors. They were: Matthew Balzarini, James Lamb, Eric Payne, Andy Su, and Bernice K. Tingle. The locally elected members of the Board of Directors were sworn into office in December 2008.

District Authority

The Mountain House Community Services District is a political subdivision of the State of California, formed in 1996, in accordance with the Community District Services Law in Government Code Section 61000. When created, the Local Agency Formation Commission granted the District the following eighteen (18) separate governmental powers to exercise within the boundaries of the district:

page18image16928
  1. Water services.
  2. Sewer services.
  3. Garbage services.
  4. Fire protection.
  5. Public recreation.
  6. Street lighting.
  7. Library buildings and services.
  8. Convert utilities to underground.
  9. Police protection.
  1. Road maintenance.
  2. Transportation services.
  3. Graffiti abatement.
  4. CC&R enforcement.
  5. Flood control protection.
  6. Pest and weed abatement.
  7. Wildlife habitat mitigation.
  8. Telecommunications services.
  9. Dissemination of information.

    District Authority cont.

    In addition, the District has the following general powers: sue and be sued; purchase, receive by gift or bequest and hold land, make contracts and purchases and hold personal property necessary to the exercise of its powers, manage, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of its property as the interest of its inhabitants require; levy and collect taxes authorized by law and exercise such other and further powers as may be especially conferred by law or as may be necessarily implied from those expressed. All services outside of the 18 enumerated powers are performed either by San Joaquin County or the State of California.

    page19image6112

    Mountain House District Geography

    The Mountain House Community Services District is located in the west area of San Joaquin County, approximately 61 miles southeast of San Francisco, 52 miles east of Oakland, 51 miles northeast of San Jose, and 76.5 southwest of Sacramento. The District occupies 7.5 square miles.

    page19image10496

    page19image10768

The Board of Directors

The members of the Board of Directors are elected by the voters to serve overlapping four-year terms. The President and Vice President are elected by the Board for a one year term. The Board of Directors sets policy and exercises the legislative authority of the District. By Resolution MMV111-5, the Board of Directors holds meetings on the second Wednesday of every month and at other times as, in the opinion of Board, the public interest may require. The current Board of Directors members and the dates upon which their respective terms expire are as follows:

President: Steven Gutierrez, November 2014
Vice President: Bernice K. Tingle, November 2016 Director: Celeste Farron, November 2014 Director: Jim Lamb, November 2016
Director: Andy K. Su, November 2016

Administration and Management

The Mountain House Community Services District is a Board-Manager form of government. The Board of Directors appoints the General Manager who appoints all other District personnel. The General Manager is charged with overseeing the District’s daily operations. Board appointed Committees assist the Board of Directors in carrying out various aspects and functions of the District.

Aerial picture of Mountain House Community Services District

page20image11176
page20image11448
page20image11720

Demographics

Land Area ………………………………………………………………………..7.5 square miles

Population1 2012……………………………………………………………………………………..10,984

Population by Gender2 Female……………………………………………………………………………………52.3% Male………………………………………………………………………………………47.7%

Population by Age Group2
Under 14 years……………………………………………………………………………30.1% 15 to 24 years………………………………………………………………………………10.9% 25 to 44 years ……………………………………………………………………………….36% 45 to 59 years …………………………………………………………………………….17.2% 60 to 74 years……………………………………………………………………………….5.6% 75 years and over ………………………………………………………………………….0.2%

Median Age: 30.6

1 State of California, Department of Finance estimates.
2 US Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________