Coastal permit process advances; Marina lets commission take lead
Larry Parsons
The Monterey Herald
03/02/2011
The Marina City Council agreed Tuesday to step aside when it comes to coastal permits for the proposed regional desalination project.
The council voted 3-1, with Councilman Frank O'Connell dissenting, to allow the state Coastal Commission to take the lead role on coastal development permits. That step intended to streamline the project's permit process was requested by the Marina Coast Water District.
The regional project is being pushed by three partners — the Marina Coast Water District, county Water Resources Agency and California American Water. The estimated $400million project would provide a new source of water for Cal Am's Peninsula customers, and that would allow for a halt of overpumping from the Carmel River.
The plant is proposed to be built just north of Marina. Wells and pipelines for the project would traverse parts of Marina, Sand City, Monterey County and the city of Monterey.
The county, Monterey and Sand City previously agreed to the coastal permit process. But the Marina council balked Feb. 15 when the request first came up.
Project critics said the streamlined permit process would limit public participation, and they said parts of the project — some well sites and pipeline routes — had changed since the environmental review.
To reassure Marina council members, the two water agencies sent a five-page Feb. 24 letter that said the consolidated permit process would be procedural and wouldn't affect nuts-and-bolts issues about the project.
The letter also says the Coastal Commission would hold a local hearing, and additional environmental work is contemplated "to cover any minor issues" that may be needed.
At Tuesday's meeting, project consultant Lyndel Melton said the consolidated permit process would eliminate overlap but leave intact the city's authority over its permits the project would need.
