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AVA NORGROVE, ANCHOR:
As of today (Tuesday, Oct. 10), the ordinance that allows permits for Berry Creek residents to stay on their land in trailers and RVs is set to end on Dec. 31.
But this morning, Butte County supervisors are planning to vote on a possible six-month extension.
NSPR’s Erik Adams reports.
ERIK ADAMS, REPORTER:
At least a four-fifths majority vote is needed to approve an emergency amendment, which would extend the ordinance to June 30 of next year.
Fred Wright has lived in Berry Creek for 57 years.
He organized a demonstration at the Butte County Courthouse in Oroville yesterday, where several residents of Berry Creek gathered to bring attention to the community’s situation.
Wright is wary of the six-month extension.
WRIGHT: “What happens after June? There’s no way they, or people I know, can finish rebuilding or even get started because of the price of the permits and all that.”
Donald Owens also showed up to the gathering.
He witnessed his home get destroyed in the fire and now lives in a trailer on his property.
OWENS: “I know three years is a long time but still, it takes time when you have nothing left. You lost everything. [We’re] trying to support the community and make sure a lot of these people don't get removed off their land.”
The gathering yesterday wasn’t the only time Berry Creek residents showed up in Oroville en masse.
Several residents traveled to the Sept. 26 board of supervisors meeting to make public comments about their concerns, despite no mention of the ordinance on the agenda.
Today’s meeting starts at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.
