Position Statement

By Alexander "Zan" Henson

The goal is to have drought protection, preservation of the Carmel River environment, and relief from Order 95-10 with the least expense in the shortest amount of time.

I support augmenting our water supply with the least expensive project possible that will meet the community's needs. That project is a 9000 acre feet per year desalination plant at Sand City.

I support examining the feasibility of buying Cal-Am if that will reduce water rates over the long term.

RESTORE THE CARMEL RIVER:

The current groundwater pumping by Cal-Am of the Carmel River Aquifer has been found by State and Federal Agencies to be damaging to the Carmel River environment. A proposed third dam on the river has similarly been rejected as harmful to the river environment. In order to restore the endangered steelhead fish runs in the river, this last term I led the board in securing a safe, effective fish-holding facility at Sleepy Hollow.

STOP WATER PROFITEERING:

The land use agencies -- the county and cities -- allowed water profiteering. I oppose water profiteering in all forms. We prohibited transfers unless they can be demonstrated to save water.

PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE ON WATER PROJECTS:

Senate Bill 149, supported by my opponent, removed your right to vote to approve any new water project. It also removed your right to directly elect the members of the board running the water district.

I opposed those ideas and still do.

If the people keep the right to vote to approve a new water supply project, a successful project will be designed the way the people of the Water District electorate want it. Without a vote of the people, a water supply project will be designed the way Cal-Am wants it.

BUILD ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PROJECT YOU CONTROL:

The best alternative to meet our community's water needs is a small desalination plant at Sand City that is publicly owned and controlled. That plant could be expanded at a later time with a positive vote of the people.

We are on schedule to have the Water District electorate vote to approve this water replacement project in November 2004.

The goal is to have drought protection, preservation of the Carmel River environment, and relief from Order 95-10 with the least expense in the shortest amount of time.