After spending $17 million, Santa Cruz City officials now want to re-engage the public by backing off on their promised desal vote in 2014. In response, the Desal Alternatives steering committee has issued a call to all citizen supporters to advocate that the City Council adopt water security measures that can be implemented immediately.

In a joint press release issued by Mayor Hilary Bryant and City Manager Martin Bernal, Bernal states that the EIR for the Desalination facility proposed for the Westside of Santa Cruz will be completed in order to, "inform future discussions about the City’s water supply." Rick Longinotti, of Desal Alternatives, believes that decision should be made by the city council.

Rick Longinotti writes: "The decision whether to complete the EIR belongs to the Council, since it will cost a lot more money to complete than the $1.6 million already spent. The four hundred comments submitted on the Draft EIR comprise a devastating critique of the desal project. There is only one way that a final EIR can "fix" the deficiencies in the Draft: by recommending a package of alternatives to the project. Anything less from a Final EIR would not be credible. The Council may hesitate to spend more money just to get a Final EIR that recommends alternatives to the project. Council members can reach that conclusion just by reading the comments on the Draft."

Read More | Desal Alternatives | See Also: Bethany Park Desal Alternatives

Previous Coverage: City of Santa Cruz Entangled in CalDesal’s Advocacy and Lobbying Activities || 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