Central Valley Food and Farmland Coalition calls for moratorium on Merced County growth until a new General Plan is completed

February 13, 2006

Merced County Board of Supervisors
2222 M Street
Merced, CA 95340

Honorable Chair Nelson and Members Crookham, Kelsey, O'Banion and Pedrozo,

I am writing on behalf of the Central Valley Food and Farmland Coalition to express our concerns of the commulative effect of the rapid growth in Merced County. We urge you to state a moratorium on all General Plan amendment applications and conduct a study of our water resources before any amendment applications are accepted.

As American Farm Land Trust director, Ed Thompson, commented about two frogs: one frog was put into hot water: he immediately jumped out; another was put into cold water which was gradually warmed up and he died. Our land is gradually being covered up with houses. We can see what happened in Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties. Do we really want our county to go the same way?

Please consider a moratorium on all General Plan amendment applications until a General Plan has been created and a thorough study of our water resource has been completed.

Sincerely,

Jean Okuye

Central Valley Food and Farmland Coalition