- Tips on How to Provide Effective Comments
- Upcoming Public Hearing on Draft EIR - July 1st
- Presentation from June 3 Public Hearing
- Monthly Email Update for June 2013
- Press Release: Draft EIR and Community Guide released May 13
- Project Overview Fact Sheet released April 2013
- Desal Project will be Net-Carbon Neutral
- Answering the Top Questions of 2012/13
Regional Seawater Desalination Program Website
3-minute video featuring Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant and Soquel Creek Water District Board President Tom LaHue talking about their agencies' water shortage challenges.
The City of Santa Cruz Water Department (City) and Soquel Creek Water District (District) have been collaborating to conserve, protect and create reliable water resources. Both have already implemented numerous stringent conservation and curtailment requirements to maximize efficient water use, but the region needs a reliable supplemental water source that will (1) provide needed supply during droughts, (2) allow for more water to be left in local streams and rivers to protect threatened and endangered species, and (3) restore protective groundwater levels to help prevent contamination of our groundwater supply by seawater intrusion.
After over 20 years of multiple studies and public meetings,
the City and District have identified a portfolio of existing supplies,
conservation, cutbacks during droughts, and a supplemental supply
to meet its customer's needs.
Desalination was identified as the potential supplemental supply to further evaluate. In 2007, the City and District joined together to address their different needs and share the costs associated with evaluating the proposed project.
This program is currently in an Environmental Review process evaluating the potential for a 2.5 million gallon per day desalination facility in Santa Cruz. No decision has yet been made on the actual construction of the proposed project.
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) released on May 13, 2013
The Draft EIR was released on May 13, 2013. During the 60-day comment period, interested public agencies, organizations, community groups, and individuals are encouraged to submit their written comments on the adequacy of the Draft EIR. The comment period ends on July 15, 2013. For information on the EIR process, click here
To
access the on-line library of environmental review reports,
including the Draft EIR and appendices, click
here.
Hard copies of the Draft EIR and a CD of the appendices are
located at several locations throughout the City and District's
service areas.
3-minute video on the proposed project and how to
participate in the EIR Review Process.
The City of Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District will be holding two public hearings to take oral and written comments, one on June 3 and a second meeting on July 1. For more information, click here.
A
34-page guidebook to the draft EIR has also been created.
This
Community Guide provide a summary and overview of the
proposed project and key elements of the environmental
analysis provided in the Draft EIR, including environmental
design features, mitigation measures, and feasible
alternatives. The guide also provides information about the
environmental review process and how to provide comments on
the Draft EIR.
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Why is a supplemental supply needed for the City of Santa Cruz?
Desalinated-Related Issues
Preliminary architectural rendering shows how the proposed project could be designed to blend in with existing surroundings.
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Why is a supplemental supply needed for Soquel Creek Water District?
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