Poseidon’s Desalination Plant in Orange County: Protector of all Seafarers?

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1. I believe the desalination plant, if built will allow future in-fill development. I oppose the Project for this reason. The Project will not accomplish its stated purpose.

   Certain types of in-fill development including high density and affordable housing projects are currently permitted by state laws without discretionary approval from local governments (cities), or a local government’s discretionary authority has been severely limited by these bills. In 2017 the State enacted 20 housing related bills. The stated goal was to help meet the state’s existing housing shortage and make housing more affordable. These bills promote development of new high density and affordably prices housing projects in in-fill areas. In order to make these projects economically feasible these bills give these project a break. They are provided streamlined permitting and are not required to fully mitigate for their adverse impacts on existing infrastructure (roads, storm drains, etc.), let alone their adverse impact to the quality of life affecting the residents in affected communities. These State housing bills are another form subsidy/taxation impacting the middle class. One example being AB 2299 (enacted in 2017) which authorizes the potential construction of approximately 8 million Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) statewide, or the potential for an estimated 10,000 ADUs in the city of Newport Beach, subject only to issuance of a building permit (a non-discretionary action).

   The O.C. Water District denies the Poseidon Project will have a growth inducing impact saying the Project will only recharge and help manage the groundwater basins. The OCWD says local water agencies will address any growth inducing impacts as they take water from these groundwater basins. I believe this is wrong and that this position fails to fully inform the public of the effects of the Project. For this reason, I oppose the Project. However, if the OCWD conditions the Project to require water treated by the Project not to be used for new development, I will support the Project. Southern California’s ground water basins are underground storage reservoirs. They are in an overdraft condition. Southern Californians pumps out more groundwater than is naturally replaced and recharged by man. Drought conditions increase this in-balance decreasing the amount of water stored in these underground reservoirs. Southern California needs to be protected against drought cycles.

   For years it was widely said that without new water supplies California’s population cannot continue to grow. The State’s recent housing related bills invalidate this belief. The State legislature is committed to find ways to provide housing to meet the projected population increase in southern California.

   If approved, the water from the Project will be used for new development. Additional water conservation rules will be imposed (one example being AB 1668). I think this is the message that needs to be heard.

   David Tanner, President
   Environmental & Regulatory Specialists, Inc.
   Newport Beach, California

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