Monthly Email Updates

Email updates are distributed on the first Wednesday of the month to interested individuals who have requested to be informed on the status of the Desalination Program.  To sign up, please click here.

Project Update & Latest News– May 31, 2013

Reminder! Public Hearing on Draft EIR - Monday, June 3

The City of Santa Cruz (City) and Soquel Creek Water District (District) are holding two public hearings to inform the public about the Regional Seawater Desalination Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and to receive written and oral comments on the adequacy of the document. Two meetings are being held at different locations, at different times (daytime and evening), and on different dates to try and accomodate as much public participation as possible. Attend whichever is most convenient for you, or both, as the same information will be provided at each meeting.

The first meeting will be held on Monday, June 3rd at Seacliff Inn (7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos). The meeting's agenda includes:

  • Open House (12:00 PM - 12:30 PM)
  • Presentation (12:30 - 1:00 PM)
  • Public Comment Session (1:00PM - 2:30 PM)

The second meeting will be held on Monday, July 1st at First Congregational Church (900 HighStreet, Santa Cruz) from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. For more information on the meeting or to request special accomodations, please contact Melanie Schumacher at 831-475-8501x153 or melanies@soquelcreekwater.org

Commenting on the Draft EIR

An important part of the EIR process is the public review period. During this period the public is invited to make comments on the Draft EIR. The City and the District are required to provide responses to these comments and incorporate them into the Final EIR in the “Response to Comments” section. Effective comments, therefore, are one of the most important ways that the public can potentially effect change in a proposed project. The following guidelines have been provided to assist in preparing comments on the proposed project. Although California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines require 45 days for public review and comment, the City and District have extended the period to 60 days to allow sufficient time for the public to comment on the draft EIR.

Comments on the Draft EIR may be submitted at the public hearing or by mail or email through July 15, 2013 by 5:00 PM. Submit written comments on the draft EIR by:

  • Mail to: Heidi Luckenbach, Desalination Program Coordinator, City of Santa Cruz Water Dept., 212 Locust Street, Suite C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Email to hluckenbach@cityofsantacruz.com

Below are a few quick tips on how to provide effective comments:

  • Effective comments are those that ask questions, present alternative information or evidence, and help facilitate a meaningful response.
  • Whenever possible, present facts or expert opinions. If not, provide personal experience or your personal observations. Comments that reflect only an emotional opinion will not be addressed in detail. For example, a comment that simply states, “I don’t like the project,” typically results in a response of “Comment Noted.”
  • Comments should focus on the adequacy of the draft EIR (such as how well it addresses key environmental topics).
  • Please make sure written comments are neatly written or typed with the name of the person commenting clearly legible.

 

 

2013 Monthly Email Updates (in.pdf)

Month Topics
May 31, 2013 Public Hearing on June 3 and Commenting on the Draft EIR
May 2013 Special Joint Study Session, Draft EIR and Community Guide to be released 5/13, Summertime Curtailment, and New Handouts
April 2013 Joint Special Study Session, Summertime Curtailment, Earth Day Booth and scwd2 Email Updates
March 2013 Draft EIR On-track for Spring Release, Short Videos on Brine and Marine Issues, Dry Year May Mean Curtailment Later, and Groundwater Awareness Week
February 2013 Rainfall and Water Restriction Update, County's Annual Status Report, and On-line Questionnaire
January 2013 2012 Year in Review, EIR in Spring, and TF Meeting Schedule

 

2012 Monthly Email Updates (in.pdf)

Month Topics
December 2012 City Water Commission reviews purpose and need for supplemental supply, Soquel Creek WD takes closer look at life without a supplemental supply, and Carlsbad Project approved and moving forward
November 2012 Three E's for November, water restriction ends October 31, Dan Kriege retires
October 2012 Project information, recent coverage in SC Sentinel, Soquel Creek Water District updates water planning roadmap, and more
September 2012 SC Water Commission takes larger role, Congressman Sam Farr, Measure P and more
August 2012 Upcoming Sentinel series, latest ballot initiative, and water awareness booth
July 2012 Ballot inititiative, preliminary design report, and scwd2 task force meetings
June 2012 Ballot initiative, conservation-only analysis by Soquel Creek Water District, EIR schedule
May 2012 Similarities and differences with City's ordinance and ballot initiative, new project overview sheet, 5% curtailment May-October
April 2012 5% curtailment, scwd2 receives national recognition with AAEE, Earth Day info booth on desal project
March 2012 City of Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District declare proposed desal project will be net carbon neutral, City ordinance to put desal to vote in 2014
February 17, 2012 City proposes ordinance  for community vote on desalination
February 2012 Video footage on Energy and Greenhouse Gases related to desalination
January 2012 Highlights from 2011, EIR schedule, status of rainfall readings, and meeting materials from community meeting on energy.

2011 Monthly Email Updates (in.pdf)

2010 Monthly Email Updates (in.pdf)

2009 Monthly Updates

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