Monterey Peninsula Water Authority extends invitations in its first meeting; Mayors’ group seeks more input
Posted by: Maven on February 10, 2012 at 7:48 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“A new water organization will invite the Board of Supervisors and two area water agencies to join and offer ideas about how to most efficiently meet its goal: a new water supply for the Peninsula.
Meeting for the first time, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority agreed to send a letter to the county board, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency to solicit their input and participation in the nascent organization.
The authority, which held its first official meeting on Thursday at the Sunset Center in Carmel, agreed to form a Technical Advisory Committee that would include representatives of the water agencies, the Monterey Regional Waste Management District and California American Water, as well as an at-large member. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Watsonville wetlands preservation partnership wins national recognition
Posted by: Maven on February 9, 2012 at 6:21 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“An effort to preserve and restore the Watsonville Slough system has received national recognition with a Coastal America award.
The award, vetted by federal agencies and approved by the Obama administration, honors outstanding collaborative projects and excellence in leadership in conservation of coastal resources.
The Middle Watsonville Slough Wetlands Protection and Water Quality Partnership Team, a collaboration of 11 nonprofit and government agencies, was presented with the award, one of six nationwide, at a ceremony Wednesday at Pajaro Dunes. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
Monterey Peninsula desalination project dealt second blow
Posted by: Maven on February 9, 2012 at 6:19 amFrom the Salinas Californian:
“The hopes of getting a desalination plant up and running anytime in the near future were dealt a second blow in as many weeks when a Monterey County Superior Court judge ruled that a key environmental study was performed by the wrong agency.
The ruling by Judge Lydia M. Villarreal on Friday will effectively force Marina Coast Water District to undertake a new environmental impact study on any desalination plant it pursues in the future, a costly and labor-intensive task.
Lloyd Lowrey, an attorney with Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss in Salinas and Marina Coast’s district council, said on Tuesday that the ruling is still an “amended intended decision” that leaves the door open for the judge to receive additional comments. … “
Continue reading from the Salinas Californian by clicking here.
Commentary: Who is the loser in the Monterey desalination saga?
Posted by: Maven on February 6, 2012 at 7:19 amFrom American Water Intelligence, this commentary:
“Now that California American Water (CalAm) has pulled out of the Regional Desalination Project (RDP), it appears the company will move forward with an alternative – with no participation from regional agencies. It isn’t clear what those entities, namely the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), have gained from their refusal to play nice with CalAm.
The big paranoia in California is that desalination is a front for real estate development. At the moment, anyone building a new property has to be able to show a 100-year sustainable water supply. It has proved the most effective insurance coastal residents have against urban sprawl ruining the view. A privately owned desal plant changes the game: once one is built, any property developer with a bit of pipe will have a 100-year sustainable water supply. … “
Continue reading from American Water Intelligence by clicking here.
Santa Cruz Looks to desalination for water; Construction of desalination plant under consideration to offset water shortage
Posted by: Maven on February 4, 2012 at 7:02 amFrom the City on a Hill Press:
“The Santa Cruz City Council approved the continuation of a contract with an environmental impact desalination consultant last week. Desalination has been in the works for decades now, and for Santa Cruz County it may serve as a feasible source of water in a city that just experienced its second driest December in history.
The plant is projected to produce 2.5 million gallons a day, and comes with a price tag of nearly $100 million. The cost will be split between Santa Cruz and Soquel County water districts, with Santa Cruz paying 59 percent of the bill. Cost aside, it will take some time for a desalination plant to become a reality in Santa Cruz, as controversies come with its construction. … “
Continue reading from the City on a Hill Press by clicking here.
Ag-business group alleges Monterey County water agency used ‘creative accounting’
Posted by: Maven on February 2, 2012 at 7:56 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“An agri-business organization has accused the county Water Resources Agency of engaging in “creative accounting” in connection with its spending on the failed regional desalination project.
In a letter to the Board of Supervisors last week, the Salinas Valley Water Coalition raised a number of questions about the water agency’s use of public funds intended for other purposes to pay for project expenses.
According to the letter, signed by coalition President Nancy Isakson, the agency appeared to borrow money from various funds, including tax proceeds from its Salinas Valley Water Project account, “without proper authorization or transparency.” It used the funds to pay the up-front costs of the desal project, then identified them as overhead, the letter said. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Salting by the dock of the bay: Monterey Bay Salt Co. taps hidden culinary treasure
Posted by: Maven on February 1, 2012 at 7:06 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“Like many good stories, it began with a dare. “It was kind of a ha-ha’ bet,” Bob Kirkland said.
After a day of surfing in the Monterey Bay a few years ago, Kirkland and some friends emerged from the water, salt sticking to their wetsuits. “I bet you can’t do anything with that,” a friend said to him, pointing to the white crystals.
Kirkland, who lives in Monterey, went home that night and serendipitously tuned in to a Food Network show that featured a man from Maine who harvested his own sea salt.
“It was, I guess, meant to be,” he said…. “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
Monterey: Desal sales pitch lacking, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:03 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Ed Mitchell, North County activist:
“For nearly a year the media have reported about the regional desalination project’s corrupted assault on the pocketbooks of Peninsula ratepayers. Less discussed is how some public officials in county water agencies traded away the livelihood of coastal farmers in North County for the financial benefit of subdivision developers.
This charade included Supervisor Lou Calcagno, county water agency manager Curtis Weeks and the indicted Steve Collins. These officials jawboned with farmers in the supervisor’s office and at other meeting sites, often out of public view, to support the desalination project. The good-deal arguments included claiming coastal farmers would not be harmed by brackish water withdrawals since only 10,000 acre-feet a year of potable water would be shipped out of Salinas Valley’s Zone 2C. Even better, withdrawals would prevent saltwater intrusion! Plus, by having coastal farmers excluded from the regional desalination project they would avoid expensive zone-of-benefit fees. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Paso Robles water plan is just not working, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:01 amFrom CalCoastNews.com, this commentary by Karen Reed, a long time Paso resident:
“I was shocked when not much was said about the huge increases in water rates needed to fund the water system projects discussed at the Nov. 15 Paso Robles City Council meeting. After years of hard work to come to an agreement on rates to pay for Nacimiento water, it seems the City was way off on what new development would be paying.
The new plan for water department improvements shows projected water rates increasing every year for the next 15 years. Rates shown increase from $1.32 to $8.70 per unit, a 650 percent increase.
But don’t worry; these will be small increases, until, until we get to $8.70. You may not even notice.
But you will pay and pay. … “
Continue reading from CalCoastNews.com by clicking here.
Monterey County water talks hit key phase: 2 mediation sessions set before parties meet with judge
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:17 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“In the wake of the regional desalination project, litigation challenging the state-ordered cutback in pumping from the Carmel River is again taking center stage.
With the chances of getting a replacement water source in place by the 2016 deadline appearing more remote after the regional project’s demise, and attention shifting to other alternatives, local water officials are hopeful the state Water Resources Control Board will be open to an agreement to relax the cut-off date if a new plan is well under way.
That makes the next few months potentially crucial for confidential mediation discussions arising out of the litigation between local interests and the state. Those talks are expected to decide if there will be an agreement or if the case will head to trial. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Cambria directors to put alternatives to desalination back on the table
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:14 amFrom the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
“The Cambria Community Services District — still reeling from the California Coastal Commission’s unanimous Dec. 9 vote against a series of sampling tests near the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek — is now seeking other possible locations from which to draw salty or brackish water into a desalination plant, and will also be taking a look at other possible alternatives for bringing stable new water supplies to town.
CCSD directors and staff said Jan. 19 they also expect to consult soon with the district’s constituents and its project partner, the Army Corps of Engineers. … “
Continue reading from the San Luis Obispo Tribune by clicking here.
Monterey: Five out of six cities join new water agency
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:44 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Five of six Peninsula cities have voted to join a new water agency.
The city councils of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside this week approved the proposed Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority — a power-sharing agency of cities aimed at solving the long dilemma over a new Peninsula water supply.
Only the city of Monterey, whose council last week voted 3-2 to delay action on the new agency, hasn’t signed on to the idea. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey commentary: Resetting water priorities
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Dale Hekhuis, former chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and a founder of the Peninsula Water Ratepayer Coalition:
“Cal Am’s departure from the regional desalination project has opened the door to resetting water priorities. Suddenly, a number of water supply options appear attractive.
- Accelerating Cal Am’s water facility construction.
Cal Am has a request before the Public Utilities Commission to accelerate construction of the Seaside pipeline, the Monterey pipeline (not including the main transfer pipeline), two storage reservoirs and aquifer storage and recovery facilities. The pipelines are sized based on the aquifer storage project and would not change even if a smaller desalination plant is built. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Sewage-eating algae used to treat wastewater in test project
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:37 amFrom the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
“Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo on Monday unveiled a pilot project to test the viability of using algae to treat wastewater.
The project at San Luis Obispo’s sewage treatment plant on Prado Road has been under construction for the past year and a half. It consists of nine algae-rich ponds that circulate wastewater. … “
Continue reading from the San Luis Obispo Tribune by clicking here.
Desal opponents plan November ballot measure: Petition for city charter change calls for voter OK of water project
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:39 pmFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“Opponents of a proposed seawater desalination plant have submitted a preliminary petition notice to the city that would ask voters whether they want the opportunity to approve the controversial project in a future election.
City Attorney John Barisone has until Feb. 6 to reply to the notice filed by Rick Longinotti, a founder of Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives. The petition proposes a change in the city’s charter that would ensure Santa Cruz “does not approve, permit or fund a desalination plant without voter approval.” … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
Santa Cruz facing ‘critically dry’ year; low rainfall makes December second driest on record
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:39 pmFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“With only 10 inches of rain so far this wet season, Santa Cruz water officials have declared it a “critically dry” year as stream flow in the San Lorenzo River, a main supply source for the city’s 92,000 customers, was 85 percent below average in December.
“Critically dry” is the most severe on a four-point scale used by the city to classify its water supply condition, as measured by discharge on the river. But the city will not declare a drought unless the dry conditions persist for another year, said Toby Goddard, water conservation manager. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
Time is now for Cal Am’s desal plan, says the Monterey County Herald
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:38 pmFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“If California American Water goes it alone to build a desalination plant of its own near Marina or anywhere else, it should be required to make the project similar to the long-discussed regional desalination project that also involved Monterey County and the Marina water district—and to get a move on.
With the possible exception of downsizing, dramatic changes in design and approach would almost certainly draw out the approval process and require another full environmental impact report—which, for practical purposes, could mean another environmental impact report after that.
A Cal Am official told a Public Utilities Commission judge this week that the company hopes to simply modify the PUC’s existing approval of the seemingly defunct regional project to expedite the process. Cal Am wanted 90 days to come back with a new plan, but was told to return by March 1. That is a positive sign from the PUC, because Cal Am faces a state order to start reducing the use of Carmel River water, the Peninsula’s primary supply, by 2016. The need to find or create an alternate suppy becomes more urgent with each passing day. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
There is a solution now for Monterey water needs, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 7:26 amFrom the Salinas Californian, this commentary by Nader Agha, managing partner of The People’s Moss Landing Water Desal Project:
“It is a matter of fact that the Marina Regional Desalination Project was doomed from the beginning, and it is now clear that the project is defunct per Cal Am’s recent announcement. I don’t like saying so, but I have been saying that this project is “dead in the water” for the past year and a half for all the reasons noted.
In addition, I believe it is terribly wrong, after all this time, that the ratepayers have seen no solution to the water dilemma, especially after footing the bill and paying millions of dollars. Why, when there has been a realistic and affordable solution all along?
The People’s Moss Landing Water Desal Project is on the site of†the former National Refractories and Minerals Plant. Way back in 2002, this site was declared to be a “best apparent site for a desal plant” by a report prepared for The Water Division of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC). … “
Continue reading this commentary at the Salinas Californian by clicking here.
Santa Cruz City Council OKs more desal spending, bullfrog ban
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“The City Council on Tuesday approved a fifth contract with a San Francisco-based consultant amid ongoing objections from opponents of a seawater desalination plant.
Water Department Director Bill Kocher said the $95,000 contract for Kennedy/Jenks would cover work on the project’s Environmental Impact Report expected in April, including responding to public comments and questions about the analysis. The cost will be shared with the city’s desalination partner, Soquel Creek Water District. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
RELATED: Advocates call for Santa Cruz planning to line up with climate action goals
Monterey: Cal Am gets deadline for new plan; Company already seeking alternative to stalled project
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:27 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“An administrative law judge directed California American Water on Tuesday to come up with a new proposal for a water supply project on the Peninsula by the beginning of March.
The directive came after Cal Am announced it would file a request with the state Public Utilities Commission within three months to pursue a new water supply project. Last week, Cal Am said it would no longer support the long-stalled regional desalination project.
In a conference at PUC headquarters, Judge Angela Minkin gave Cal Am until March 1 to deliver a report on its efforts to provide a new supply and how it intends to move forward.
“The clock is ticking, and 2016 is just around the corner,” Minkin said, referring to the date when a state-ordered cutback in pumping from the Carmel River is set to take full effect. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Water agency wants payment for Collins’ expenses
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:25 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Hundreds of dollars of bills charged by former county Water Resources Agency board member Steve Collins last year are among the regional desalination project-related expenses for which water agency officials want to be repaid using a California American Water credit line.
According to a review of a series of invoices submitted by the county water agency, Collins billed the agency for attending several meetings related to the project, including fees and mileage, through the first three months of the year, and sought reimbursement for a Washington, D.C. hotel stay and a per diem for meals stemming from a January visit last year. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Cal Am rates not highest, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 24, 2012 at 7:24 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary/rebuttal by Dave Stephenson, director of rates for California American Water:
“California American Water has been operating the Monterey Peninsula water system for more than 45 years, since 1966. We have consistently engaged in the dialogue surrounding the development of adequate water supplies, conservation, and achieving a balance between infrastructure investment and the price our customers pay for water. We believe it is critical for a variety of voices to be heard on these issues, all of which have significant impacts for our community.
However, meaningful dialogue must be based on factual information. We are particularly concerned by repeated inaccurate statements that have appeared in the editorial pages of The Herald, which in a little over a year, has published 16 letters to the editor and commentaries by Ron Weitzman of WaterPlus. A recent guest editorial (“Local water costs continue to increase,” Jan. 5) informed readers that our customers pay more for water than almost anywhere else in the world. This is completely untrue. … “
Continue reading this commentary at the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
RMC desal bills fuzzy on work for county: Invoices include tasks for other project partners
Posted by: Maven on January 22, 2012 at 7:18 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“A review of bills from RMC Water and Environment for work on the ill-fated regional desalination project raises a number of questions, including exactly what the county would be getting for its money.
In addition to listing nearly $700,000 of charges for work on the project from early January through late August 2011, RMC’s invoices to the county Water Resources Agency include a long list of tasks and other items for which the project manager is seeking payment.
But it’s not clear what portion of the work is being charged to the county water agency because the invoices include tasks done for all three project partners: the county, California American Water and Marina Coast Water District. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey commentary: Making water go public
Posted by: Maven on January 22, 2012 at 7:09 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this guest commentary by Ron Weitzman, who lives in Carmel, president of WaterPlus, a group that advocates a public takeover of Cal Am:
“Judge Lydia Villarreal’s order of a new environmental impact report for the regional desalination project and Cal Am’s withdrawal from it give our community some breathing time as we go racing across the desert like a mule train without a driver in search of a new water source, with the state Water Resources Control Board in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile, the regional project has run out of breath with buzzards already circling above the not-quite-dead carcass. The Peninsula cities are in the process of forming a joint powers agency (JPA) to seize the reins while environmentalists are trying to breathe new life into the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to enable it to rein in any new development threatened by alternative projects.
Offering to help the district promote its conservation ethic is the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, which sees no sense in wasting wastewater. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Agency wants cap on Cal Am credit lifted; Supervisors will take up county’s desal project bills
Posted by: Maven on January 20, 2012 at 5:43 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Although California American Water has withdrawn from the Regional Desalination Project, the county Water Resources Agency still plans to ask the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to lift the cap on the company-backed credit line to pay for project expenses already incurred and for unspecified future spending.
However, Cal Am spokeswoman Catherine Bowie said the credit line is not open, and Supervisor Dave Potter said he believes that if the desal project is finished, then the credit line is, too.
Earlier this month, supervisors delayed the agency’s bid to lift the cap until more detail was provided on past bills and potential future costs. The board, which capped the agency’s access to the Cal Am credit line at $286,000 in March until a project financing plan was complete, did allow access to an additional $62,000 to pay for a low-interest state loan application for the ill-fated desal project at its Jan. 10 meeting. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Carmel River deadline looms: Local officials at crossroads after demise of desal project
Posted by: Maven on January 19, 2012 at 5:59 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“With a state deadline looming to reduce pumping from the Carmel River, and related litigation expected to pick up speed in the wake of the failed Regional Desalination Project, local officials say the search for a workable alternative water supply must be done quickly but thoroughly.
While there has been little, if any, indication that California water officials will relax the cutback deadline of 2016, there is still hope that progress on a solution could prompt some concessions from the state.
The key, local officials say, is regional cooperation, public participation and a full review of all possible alternatives. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: Water-Supply Polo: Regional Project’s death breathes life into Peninsula mayors’ alternative, from the Monterey County Weekly
Monterey: Desalination still deserves hard look, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 19, 2012 at 5:56 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Rudy Fischer, member of the Pacific Grove City Council:
“At a meeting I attended several weeks ago, someone made the statement that the local desalination project was dead; we just don’t have the coroner’s report yet. With Cal Am’s announcement this week that it is withdrawing from the deal, maybe we now have that report.
But what is the big deal with desal?
Over 70 percent of the world’s surface is water, and during my four years in the Navy 30 years ago, I sailed over a good portion of that 70 percent. The problem with that water, of course, is that it is salt water. Even then, though, we made fresh water from salt water. On our ship (a destroyer) we had two evaporation units that we used to make enough water for about 300 people to drink, cook and shower with, and to run two steam plants that provided power and propulsion. Every ship in any Navy makes its own water while at sea. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
CalAm pulls out of desal project, Promises to pursue new plan for Peninsula water
Posted by: Maven on January 18, 2012 at 6:25 amFrom the Salinas Californian:
“One of three key players in the Monterey Peninsula’s efforts to supply its water needs has pulled out of the coalition.
California American Water announced Tuesday that it is ending its relationship with the Regional Desalination Project, citing looming state deadlines and the inability of it and its partners to settle disputes that have been in mediation since August 2011.
Catharine Bowie, a spokeswoman for California American, declined to discuss the issues the partners were deadlocked over. Cal American, Monterey County Water Resources Agency and Marina Coast Water District comprised the partnership. … “
Continue reading from the Salinas Californian by clicking here.
Monterey: California American Water withdraws support for Regional Desalination Project Alliance; Alternative water project will be pursued
Posted by: Maven on January 17, 2012 at 8:21 amBig news for those of you following the Monterey desalination saga. From Business Wire:
“California American Water announced today that it has withdrawn its support of the three-party agreements behind the Regional Desalination Project that the company had proposed with Marina Coast Water District and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency in response to State imposed limitations on the Monterey Peninsula’s water supply.
“Desalination will be part of the Monterey Peninsula’s future water supply, but the Regional Desalination Project will not be the vehicle to deliver it,” said California American Water president Rob MacLean. “Recognizing the severity of the state’s cutback order, we must now move forward on an alternative water supply project as quickly as possible.” … “
Read the rest of this press release from Market Watch by clicking here.
Monterey County Herald editorial: Kudos to mayors for stepping up on water
Posted by: Maven on January 15, 2012 at 6:28 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this editorial:
“One of the first rules politicians learn upon assuming office is to keep their heads down. Try to lead, try to get fancy and actually address problems and you’ll make yourself a target. Better to keep your head down and take credit for the efforts of others.
Unfortunately, the mayors of six Peninsula cities may be receiving a refresher course on that topic now that they have stepped up and tried to do something about the water crisis and the troubled Regional Desalination Project. Seeing a large leadership vacuum, the mayors of Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Del Rey Oaks and Sand City are proposing a joint powers agency that could either take on a serious advisory role or even take over management of the project, which is now the ailing child of Monterey County, California American Water and the Marina Coast Water District. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey County delays use of Cal Am credit; Board wants to know where money will be spent
Posted by: Maven on January 12, 2012 at 7:14 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“After absorbing heavy public criticism, county supervisors decided Tuesday to limit the use of a California American-backed line of credit for Regional Water Project expenses — for at least two weeks.
The supervisors unanimously voted to use $62,000 from the Cal Am credit line to pay costs of applying for low-interest state clean water funds for the stalled desal project. But they postponed a request to tap as much as $3 million more until Jan. 24, directing the county Water Resources Agency’s interim general manager David Chardavoyne to account for what the money would be spent on. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: What is the Regional Water Project?
Posted by: Maven on January 12, 2012 at 7:07 amFrom KSBW Channel 8:
“The Regional Water Project has been making headlines for years on the Central Coast.
But slogging through years of city council, coastal commission and water board meetings, public debates, hearings and workshops, could drown you in details as you try to figure out what exactly the project is.
The $400 million Regional Water Project, also known as the Desalination Project, has many stakeholders. … “
Continue reading from KSBW Channel 8 by clicking here.
Monterey Peninsula cities to decide on forming joint water authority
Posted by: Maven on January 11, 2012 at 6:47 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“A regional water authority aimed at salvaging the foundering Regional Desalination Project or finding another water source for the Peninsula is being reviewed by six Peninsula cities this week and next.
Tuesday, the Carmel City Council unanimously passed a resolution to join the Monterey Regional Water Management Authority, which would include Pacific Grove, Monterey, Sand City, Seaside and Del Rey Oaks.
The Pacific Grove City Council has scheduled a hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday on a similar resolution. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Explanation needed on desal spending. says Monterey County Herald editorial
Posted by: Maven on January 10, 2012 at 7:20 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this editorial:
“Suppose you hired a contractor to build something for you, a house perhaps. You start paying him but then you find out he has made some fishy payments to a government official in order to obtain the building permit for your project. As a result, the construction is postponed for months and months, maybe even indefinitely.
Then, although you have already paid him quite a bit of money, the contractor comes back and wants more money, mostly for work done after you discovered the funny business with the permit.
Do you pay up? Probably not.
But if you’re Monterey County, apparently so. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey County asks to lift desal credit limit
Posted by: Maven on January 8, 2012 at 8:01 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“The Board of Supervisors will be asked Tuesday to allow unrestricted access to a California American Water-backed credit line and approve a bid for low-interest state financing for the $400 million Regional Desalination Project.
This comes despite the apparent absence of a resolution among project partners on a number of issues, including the viability of the project agreements, questions about financing and ongoing legal challenges.
It also ignores the supervisors’ previous order requiring a series of conditions, most notably the completion of a financing plan, before the Cal Am credit line could be tapped beyond limits set in March.
County Counsel Charles McKee, who has taken a lead role in the mediation process, characterized the requests as a way to position the county and its Water Resources Agency to be ready to proceed, if needed, once the mediation is complete. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Let the Monterey Peninsula manage water, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 8, 2012 at 7:58 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this column by Roger Dolan of the Carmel Valley Association Water Committee:
“This holiday season, a welcome quietude settled over the chaotic Peninsula water supply program, known as the Regional Desalination Project. But one should not mistake quiet for peace.
The fussing dropped out of sight partly because the partners in the project, California American Water, Marina Coast Water District and Monterey County Water Resources Agency, are locked into confidential negotiations about the project’s future and partly because the Agricultural Land Trust v. Marina Coast lawsuit that has been in the works for two years was nearing a judgment.
In short, for those following the project, the quiet air was heavy with anticipation. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Built-in traps snag desal process, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 7, 2012 at 8:25 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by George Riley of Monterey, who is heavily involved in local water issues and has been directly involved in the Regional Desalination Project:
“By most accounts, the Regional Desalination Project should be dead. It was approved by the state Public Utilities Commission in late 2010, but throughout 2011 it deteriorated steadily. Between scandal, junk bond financing, rising costs, permit delays, extensive secret meetings and now a legal setback, what keeps it alive?
The latest setback is the most serious: the Monterey Superior Court ruling that the environmental impact report must be redone under the Marina Coast Water District. This delays the schedule another year and adds costs. Further litigation on water rights is still pending.
It should force the partners to rethink their commitment to the project. But will it? … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey County Herald: Little to report on desalination project
Posted by: Maven on January 6, 2012 at 7:35 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this editorial:
“Wouldn’t it be grand if serious progress was made on the regional desalination project while most of us were distracted by the holidays? We have heard, and you have read, quite little on the subject for some time. Could it be that no news really is good news?
Sorry. Nothing of substance to report here except for the rumor that all those water experts and their lawyers mediating and arbitrating and otherwise talking behind closed doors for several months may be nearing the end of their discussions. They may soon be ready to start talking about trying to actually revive the project.
Put another way, it may be true that Monterey County and Cal Am and the Marina Coast Water District and who knows who else may have found a way to continue without a bunch of lawsuits over their roles in letting the project become tangled by conflicts of interest, jarring cost estimates and other complications. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial: Weather story — or water story?
Posted by: Maven on January 6, 2012 at 7:33 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel, this editorial:
“In the news business, there’s a tried-and-true story that never seems tired: the “Weather Story.”
Most years, in Santa Cruz County, Sentinel weather stories come down to the following: Torrential rainstorms, which cause flooding and widespread damages, even deaths, such as 1982′s Love Creek disaster; the occasional high winds that pass through, which happened last month; and the rare heat waves that occur perhaps once every summer.
Otherwise, it’s pretty predictable around here.
But every seven or eight years, there’s another weather story. This one is marked by a lack of weather — caused by little or no rainfall. And the 2011-2012 “rainy” season so far is proving to be one very dry weather story indeed. … “
Continue reading this editorial by clicking here.
Water crisis growing on California’s Central Coast
Posted by: Maven on January 4, 2012 at 7:48 amFrom the Western Farm Press:
“When Californians talk about living or working “on the water,” it’s likely referring to the state’s 840-mile coastline.
However, the infinite blue Pacific Ocean might as well be a desert to those who call the Central Coast home where fresh water is becoming as scarce as a flock of snow geese in the Sahara.
A trio of water purveyors from three areas of the coast: Monterey County, the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin and the city of Paso Robles, detailed legal and environmental issues resembling an octopus’s tentacles challenging their respective areas to at least maintain rapidly depleting water supplies. … “
Continue reading from the Western Farm Press by clicking here.
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