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Concerned Island District citizens gather Wednesday to hear Kings River updates
Former Kings County Supervisor Tony Oliveira led the meeting, and he was joined by current Supervisor Doug Verboon and Kings River Conservation District General Manager David Merritt, all of whom answered questions and delivered details and updates on the rising water as it winds its way through the Island District, north of Grangeville Boulevard near 21st Avenue.
Island residents had faced similar challenges before, particularly in 1969 and 1983, when similar rainstorms threatened property and farms. It was in 1969 that the community formed the IPPA. The mission of IPPA is volunteer only, with no assessments or fees. It is dedicated to protecting life and property in the Island District.
The Island Property Protection Association (IPPA) organized Wednesday’s meeting, and local elected leaders and others were on hand to brief the concerned audience. The IPPA is a non-assessment organization that the Island District activates when a natural crisis has occurred or might occur, and neighbors are called upon to support those requiring assistance.
The IPPA doesn’t replace local agencies that work for public safety. When activated, the IPPA forms a neighbor-to-neighbor effort to work with each other and the local agencies to manage the crisis and help those in need.
In an interview with The Leader, Oliveira said this year’s snowmelt has the potential to be one of the biggest ever. “This is as big or bigger than any event we’ve ever had,” he said. “I mean, if you take the amount of snow that they’re still guessing at, there are still 3.2 million to 3.6 million-acre feet up above Pine Flat," he added.
“I think the potential is greater than ’69 and 1983. The good news is – compared to back then – I think the rivers are in better shape. The agencies have, like the crescent bypass where I live, the banks are in better shape. Pine Flat only holds a million, so it’s a game of running the water out and using the water fast enough,” said Oliveira. “It’s all about outflow and inflow. If the inflow into Pine Flat is greater than the outflow and Pine Flat gets full, then they will have no choice but to release it.”
The Army Corps of Engineers are the water masters, said Oliveira. “They determine how much flow goes into the south fork, the north fork, the bypass. All the agencies work together, and they have to get out as much water as they can.”
In the meantime, the IPPA stays focused on the readiness for action in the surveillance of dangerous and possibly preventable levee breaks and has volunteers that will respond to the call for help by neighbors.
