Housing & Development · Fresno County
Fresno County Approves Friant Ranch Despite Unresolved Water Supply Issues
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved the environmental review for the Friant Ranch development on Tuesday, despite acknowledging that the project's water supply analysis relied on outdated data. County counsel confirmed that Millerton Lake can only store backup water for one year, insufficient to cover a repeat of the 2014-2015 drought. Supervisor Brian Pacheco voted against related zoning changes but joined the majority in certifying the review after learning the developer would cover legal defense costs. Critics argue the approval ignores new information regarding changed conditions and potential public health risks.