On May 15, the City of Santa Cruz issued a press release entitled “Santa Cruz Water Director Key to Non-Profit CalDesal Success. Bill Kocher Named Vice-President of the Board." Opponents of the proposed desal plant say the piece appears designed as a damage control tactic to both re-frame and obfuscate the city’s role as a prominent member of the CalDesal advocacy and lobbying organization.

Opponents of desal point out the city’s CalDesal news release coincides with the release of the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) evaluation study for building the controversial regional seawater desal plant complex, which is proposed to be located along the shores of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary on the west side of Santa Cruz.

Paul Gratz writes: "A lack of transparency, overall exclusionary attitude, and cozy industry relationship of our water agencies, is inspiring desal opponents not only to challenge their political hegemony with renewed vigor, but to question the nature of regional water resource planning and growth management as a whole. From a preliminary examination of public records, an inconvenient reality is coming into view that raises serious questions about the appearance of conflict of interest, cozy relationships, aggressive advocacy and lobbying, and lack of oversight and accountability."

Read More | The Desal EIR & Lobbying: Plunging trust in SC City Council? | Desal Advocacy and Conflict of Interest - Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District

Thursday, June 13: Desal Alternatives Presents its Response to the Draft Environmental Impact Report

See Also: Pro-desal EIR marketing campaign pitches “green boutique” plant, downplays expansion | Santa Cruz Desal EIR Detached From Reality?

Previous Coverage: Supporters of Right to Vote on Desal Turn in Petitions at Santa Cruz City Hall | Invitation-Only Meeting Held to Promote a Desalination Plant in Santa Cruz