Hybrid water plan for Monterey deserves support, says commentary

From the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Amy White, interim executive director of LandWatch Monterey County:

The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is now considering the three projects reviewed in the draft environmental impact report for the Coastal Water Project. These projects are an attempt to meet state Order 95-10 to reduce over-pumping of the Carmel River. All three proposals include a large desalination plant and additional components.

LandWatch thinks all the proposals are seriously problematic. They pose significant environmental problems and unnecessarily high costs to the ratepayers, and one of the alternatives poses potential violation of ground water rights.

Water politics and projects in Monterey County have always been complicated and confusing, but as Marina Coast Water District board member Howard Gustafson said on this page June 23, “We need to get past the problems and into real solutions that are cost-effective and environmentally acceptable.”

We think a real solution should also focus on meeting the legal requirements of 95-10 and adjudication of the Seaside aquifer as a first priority, planning for a sustainable water supply that doesn’t rely on large desalination plants, and assuring adequate representation of Peninsula residents in any solution. Because of these priorities, LandWatch and a group of community stakeholders have developed a hybrid regional water plan that accomplishes these objectives.

Read more of Amy’s commentary by clicking here.

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