Water bank location vigorously opposed in Antelope Valley

Residents showed up in force to oppose the location of a proposed water bank in Rosamond, a city on the outskirts of the Palmdale & Lancaster area. An Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency official discussed the need for the water banking project, citing continued drought in the Colorado River Basin & ongoing problems in the Delta area. He also discussed how voters rejection of key water development proposals in years past has led to the present difficulties with the Antelope Valley’s water supply.

“The State Water Project does not work without local banking,” he said.

This year, because of the drought, the Department of Water Resources allocated 60% of the entitlement to State Water Contractors, including AVEK, PWD and Littlerock. But with half a year to go, Fuller said he wasn’t certain that the state will even deliver that much. And next year will be worse, he speculated, with possibly as low as a 30% allocation.

So AVEK purchased roughly 1,400 acres at 60th Street West and Gaskell Road owned by longtime Valley onion and carrot farmer John Calandri to pursue the banking project. At this time, an environmental impact report of the area is underway to determine the effects of such a project on area residents. Kern County Planning Department insisted on an EIR.

“I don’t think there’s anybody in the room that denies there is a water problem,” said Dennis Shoffner, the council chairman. “The question that comes to my mind (is), ‘is that the best place to do it?’ “

Residents voiced concerns over the ability of the water to percolate into the ground, attracting mosquitos and birds. The birds are of particular concern because the proposed location is in the vicinity of the airport, and the birds could potentially fly into the path of airplanes. They also voiced concerns over construction kicking up dust, having a potential impact on air quality.

For the complete article from the Antelope Valley Press, click here.

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