Few issues are more important to Monterey County than water. LandWatch is working to make sure that future development doesn't lead to continued water overdraft, and that adequate water supplies are assured before development proceeds.
Issues related to regional water project and settlement/financial agreement developed by the LWV/MP, LandWatch, Sierra Club and Carmel Valley Association
In order to help you better understand LandWatch's concerns with the Regional Project and
related Settlement Agreements (as currently proposed), click on this link to read a list of issues
developed by the League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula, LandWatch, Sierra Club,
and the Carmel Valley Association. (06.26.10)
LandWatch Questions Marina Coast Water District and the County of Monterey about a Proposed Agreement to Accept Millions in Reimbursements from California American Water for Work on the Regional Project
On Wednesday, February 24th, the Marina Coast Water District approved an agreement with California American Water (Cal-Am) to accept reimbursement for work to be performed by the District and Monterey County Water Resources Agency through the end of the year. Up to $4.3 million would be provided to these agencies which would repay the loan. However, under the agreement, Cal-Am could forgive the loan. The agreement, only posted 24 hours for the public to review, may violate the California Environmental Quality Act and Local Agency Formation Commission requirements. Cal-Am ratepayers on the Peninsula could also end up paying for a project that would benefit non-Cal-Am customers. The same agreement was approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in closed session on Friday, February 26th. (03.02.10)
The letters below were submitted to Marina Coast Water District and the County last week.
What’s
new with the Coastal Water Project?
On December
17, 2009, The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) certified
the 3,100 page Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the
Coastal Water Project. Certification (finding the document adequate)
was originally scheduled for January 2010, but the action was
expedited to December presumably to enable local agencies to
use the document for their actions.
LandWatch and the Salinas Valley Ag Trust submit letters on Final
EIR for the Coastal Water Project
LandWatch Monterey County recently
submitted a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) on the final environmental impact report (FEIR) for
the Coastal Water Project. LandWatch is very concerned about
the potential growth-inducing impacts of the project and the
potential impacts on North County’s water supply. (02.05.10)
LandWatch supports the Hybrid Regional Water Plan at the CA Public Utilities Commission Hearing
On July 13th LandWatch and a group of environmental groups testified at the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hearing that took place right in Monterey’s City Hall. We presented the Hybrid Regional Water Plan as the environmentally superior alternative to the Coastal Water Project. Below is the LandWatch letter submitted to the PUC administrative law judge, Judge Minkin, and Commissioner John Bohn. (07.19.09)
Hybrid Regional Water Plan: The Environmentally Superior Alternative
LandWatch and a group of community stakeholders developed a Hybrid Regional Water Plan, endorsed to date by the League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula, the Prunedale Neighbors Group, the Carmel Valley Association, and the Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club. (07.10.09)
LW comment letter on the Coastal Water Project DEIR.
LandWatch Monterey County recently submitted a comment letter on the Coastal Water Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). It is our hope that Monterey County can soon begin to solve our critical water supply problems. (04.24.09)
Monterey County Water Supply Summary
LandWatch and the Monterey Peninsula League of Women Voters’ summary of water supply projects for Monterey County. (10.21.08)
New Subdivisions Could Be Allowed To Make Overdraft Worse
Current County policy prevents new subdivisions in areas of groundwater overdraft. The Board of Supervisors is being asked to change that rule. Read the LandWatch letter for the full story. (posted 06.02.03)
LandWatch Urges Opposition of No Net Increase (9/12/98)
