Resident tells VCC proposed Tuolumne bypass may not stop erosion from underground spring

At a Tuesday meeting of the VCC a resident said they have lost about 100 feet of property in recent years and warned that the Tuolumne bypass proposal for 1859 Burma Road may be only a temporary fix because the erosion is driven by an underground spring, not river action.

“I've lost 100 ft of property in probably last 5 years, straight out and 100 ft wide,” the resident said. “It's an underground water source. It's not has nothing to do with the river.” The speaker said they had taken photos the morning of the meeting showing a crack down the middle of the remaining lane and expressed concern a wrap-around road would not stop the underlying movement.

The resident also said the bypass route appeared to cross a neighbor’s gully and estimated the work might cost more than $1 million.

County officials acknowledged the concern but said federal involvement complicates a permanent fix. “The problem the deal is getting Army Corps to act and do something and give us permission to do things is very, very difficult,” one official said, adding the county cannot leave homeowners without access while pursuing approvals.

What happens next: staff said right-of-way agents and a surveyor have been talking with the affected homeowner and reiterated that public works’ responsibility is the road; private-home repairs remain the homeowner’s responsibility. The board also noted the issue has historical context — staff said the area was filled decades ago after being a lake and stream before homes were built.

The exchange came during the public-comment portion of a short meeting; no formal action or vote on the Burma Road bypass or private-property remediation was recorded in the transcript.