A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
July 6, 2007
3. Watersheds
MCLOUD NESTLE WATER BOTTLING PLANT PROJECT:
Water bottling DEIR may go out for more comments - Mt.
Guest Opinion: Preparing for a new experience at the lake -
MCLOUD NESTLE WATER BOTTLING PLANT PROJECT:
Water bottling DEIR may go out for more comments
By Paul Boerger, staff writer
Despite more than 4,000 written comments from citizens and organizations, reams of scientific evidence and hundreds of hours of public comment, the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for the proposed Nestle water bottling plant in McCloud may be recirculated for further review and comment.
Nestle project manager Dave Palais said the company is “encouraging” the
“Our goal from the start has been to build a project that meets the highest environmental standards,” said Palais. “It is important to us that the concerns that were raised in the Draft EIR/EA are thoroughly addressed and that the community has an opportunity to review changes to the document. We believe recirculating all or a portion of the environmental review document is the best way to do that.”
“We expect to meet with Nestle in early July to discuss their request and all of the details related to recirculation of the Draft EIR/EA,” Barber said. “At that time, we should have a better understanding of what recirculation would entail and when it may occur.”
California Trout, an organization that has made extensive comments on the proposal, welcomed Nestle's announcement.
“We are very happy to see Nestle take this progressive step forward in response to public comment,” said California Trout CEO Brian Stranko. “We are encouraged that Nestle wants better analysis before the project moves forward.”
The plant proposal has generated controversy with opponents claiming the district will not receive a fair share of the revenue, that the environmental reviews to date are inadequate, the amount of water Nestle will draw from the springs could damage the McCloud River and that the truck traffic to transport the water, estimated at 300 to 500 truck trips per day, will be disruptive and dangerous, especially on Highway 89.
Proponents say the plant will take a small amount of water from the spring, 1,600 acre feet of out an estimated total capacity of 16,000 acre feet, the jobs generated by the plant will be a boost to an economically depressed area and that the District will benefit from the contract revenue and other Nestle financial commitments to the city.
The proposal has seen several court challenges with the California Supreme court upholding the contract between Nestle and the McCloud Services District by declining to review a lower court decision.
CalTrout says a major issue is the affect the plant will have on the
“We are especially interested in a more complete project description that clarifies the amount of water that can be used, a more robust analysis of mitigation measures and project alternatives, and additional information to adequately assess baseline conditions,” CalTrout said in a press release. “At the heart of the request for a recirculation of the DEIR is the need for several years of peer reviewed studies to determine baseline conditions.”
The McCloud Watershed Council has concerns regarding the plant's economic impact.
“The original document was deeply flawed and recirculating the DEIR will provide an opportunity to better assess the true costs, benefits and impacts of the proposed project,” said Debra Anderson of the McCloud Watershed Council board of directors.
The MCWC announced they have received a grant to study the issues and have hired ECONorthwest to do the analysis.
“To make a balanced decision about the Nestle proposal we need to know the full costs,”
Tonya Dowse is executive director of the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council and she is convinced the plant will have a positive economic impact.
“Approval of this project will be a significant milestone for the County and we support efforts to make sure that there is a thorough environmental analysis,” Dowse said. “The tremendous economic benefits of the project are very clear to us, but we commend Nestle for working collaboratively to provide community members an opportunity to review major changes to the exhaustive environmental review. This is another example of Nestle's commitment to doing the right thing.”
Recently hired McCloud Services District general manager John Spoonhower was not available for comment as he does not begin his duties until July 9, but district board member Alan Scheonstein supports the recirculation.
“I think it is fine,” Scheonstein said. “The more opportunity for public input, the better.” #
http://www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2007/07/05/news/01recirculate.txt
Guest Opinion: Preparing for a new experience at the lake
By Carol Kunze, executive director of Berryessa Trails and Conservation
The prospectus for
It allows a great deal of flexibility to propose the mix of facilities and services that will be offered at each concession area, placing a premium on creativity and urging bidders to create their own vision for the concessions.
However, that flexibility is to be exercised within parameters that establish an overall atmosphere and approach that is very refreshing and sets the stage for a recreation area that will serve the public well. The lake foreseen by the prospectus will provide a much richer experience for the visitor, fostering respect for the lake and surrounding natural resources.
While the types of facilities offered will be similar to today (with the exception that there will be no long-term trailer sites), the new cabins and campgrounds, restaurants and marinas will be more cohesive and visually integrated. This will serve a greater change for the public — a difference in ambiance. Emphasis is placed on creating a relaxing, uncluttered atmosphere with lodging facilities that are spaced to provide some privacy and that are harmonious with the surrounding landscape. Bidders are asked to describe how they will reduce noise and protect the natural quiet.
The new atmosphere is further supported by the emphasis on appreciation of the natural resources, and a conservation ethic. Prospective concessionaires are asked to describe their environmental management program, the steps they will take to practice water and energy conservation and how they intend to use their resource conservation activities as a learning experience for visitors.
The focus on resources and cultural history is echoed by requests to explain how employees will be trained to interpret and provide information on area resources, the encouragement to provide interpretive programs for visitors and the requirement that merchandise enhance the understanding both of Reclamation’s operations and local natural resources, including local plants and wildlife.
Visitors today can lose sight of the fact that when the lake was developed, a new ecosystem was created with it. What’s more, the surrounding landscape that provides a stunning backdrop to the lake remains relatively untouched — witness the recent designation of the hills west of the lake as the Cedar Roughs Wilderness. As we now know,
An equally important point is the focus on integration of government and commercial recreation operations around the lake to provide visitors with a wide spectrum of recreation experiences. This focus is critical to converting the lake from an area that relies on long-term tenants and day-users to a vacation destination where visitors rent a cabin or a campsite for a week in order to enjoy a diverse array of recreational activities, from swimming, paddling and taking a nature hike to motor boating and water skiing.
Throughout the prospectus, there is a focus on serving visitors well — training employees to recognize and then meet visitor expectations, providing a quality experience, a relaxing atmosphere and a chance to learn about the local natural areas while enjoying water and land-based recreation.
Other recreation lakes have successfully made the transition from a troubled to a thriving lake, and Berryessa can do the same.
Concession operators have until Sept. 5 to submit their bids to become a concessionaire at the lake. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we’ll know who the next concession operator(s) will be and what facilities will be offered in each resort. #
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