Linda property owners look to state panel

Yuba County property owners who have been told they're encroaching on state land at the foot of a Feather River levee aren't giving up on the situation easily.

If anything, a handful of the 50 or so property owners in west Linda are getting more strident in trying to convince state and local flood-control agencies more needs to be considered before crews move fences in.

One of those property owners, Monty Hecker, said he's hopeful of more progress both before and at another Central Valley Flood Protection Board meeting in Marysville on March 2.

He said he and other property owners have had an ongoing exchange with officials from the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority, but haven't seen much in the way of concrete answers.

"I have a better feeling that Sacramento is listening to us more than TRLIA is," Hecker said, referring to the flood protection board.

Among other issues, Hecker and others have contended moving the fences and installing a service road behind it, at the base of the levee, would cause serious drainage issues.

Tuesday, property owners took those concerns to TRLIA's board meeting, where board members seemed to agree the issue shouldn't be overlooked.

"I think it would be advantageous to all of us to keep that dry, especially during a high-water event," said board member Rick Brown in response to Hecker's comments.

Before the meeting, Hecker said he was concerned drainage won't be addressed before the state flood board gives the final go-ahead, and property owners will be stuck with either flooding, or a bill.

But Scott Shapiro, counsel for TRLIA, said at the meeting it's difficult to address drainage first because that would be part of design work that wouldn't start until the state gives the OK.

Property owners have other concerns as well. Hecker's wife Debra introduced a letter Tuesday being sent to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board asking for any permits to proceed be suspended.

Among the issues she said required further clarification were why the state flood board staff was relying on a land survey of the affected properties that wasn't filed with the county or approved by the county surveyor.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.