North Coast Advisory Council

The ad hoc election committee will be suggestion the following changes to the council and the election process at the January 28, 2010 meeting.  Please feel free to comment here or at the meeting on these changes. Because the suggestions require revision of the bylaws, no final decision will be made at this week’s meeting. Any changes approved by a majority of the council will become part of the resolution to revise the bylaws and will be up for discussion and approval at the February 2010 meeting.

NCAC Elections

Summary of Suggested Changes:

9 members and 3 alternates. One seat reserved for a San Simeon representative.  5 seats this year, 4 seats next year. Top 5 (or 4) vote-getters are seated as voting members. After all voting member seats are filled, next vote-getter is 1^st alternate and so on for alternates 2 and 3.  (One seat reserved for rural.)

Required to be a candidate: Live full-time in NCAC represented area, over 18, submit signatures of at least 10 residents by the end of the April meeting.

Requirements for voters: Over age 18 All residents, property owners, business licensees and nonprofit organizations located (or performing a significant part of their services) within the boundaries of NCAC. (Supervisor District 2 north of Villa Creek)

Elections: Voting will take place during the 2^nd and 3^rd weeks of May. Ballots will be available and people can vote at Farmer’s Market, online and ballots can be returned by mail or in person at the May NCAC meeting. Voting for San Simeon and rural representatives will be done by petition.

Draft of Bylaws changes.

Article III   Members

SECTION 1.      Council  Membership: The Community will be represented by at least 5 and no more than nine (9) regular members and three (3) alternate members.  Alternates shall sit as a regular voting member in the absence of a regular member.

SECTION 2.      A qualified candidate for election must be over 18 and reside in Cambria, San Simeon or the rural areas of County Supervisor’s District 2 north of Villa Creek

Diversity: The election committee shall make a deliberate effort to ensure that a diversity of ethnic, economic, and social interests are represented on the council.

The council shall have as a goal that at least one  member shall reside in each of the following areas:

San Simeon

the rural areas outside the SS and Cambria URLs

Lodge Hill

Park Hill

Business District

Park Hill

Happy Hill

However, if adhering to these criteria would prevent filling all seats,  the criteria may be waived.

i.        Elections. An election shall be held annually in  May and shall be governed by the Election Committee and NCAC election code.

SECTION 3.      Nomination of  Candidates for Election:  Any candidate eligible for election must submit a signed “Conditions of Service” form and an official letter of support with signatures of at least ten (10) eligible voters,  no later than the regular March meeting of an election year. The Council will accept the nominated candidates and approve the official ballot at the regular Council meeting in April and submit the names of the candidates in the Cambrian for publication the third week of April. Additional details of nominating process are in the election code.

SECTION 4.      The NCAC Council Chairperson shall receive the election results and provide for the seating of newly elected and appointed members, the election of new officers, and the naming of new subcommittee chairpersons as the last items of business at the June meeting. The out-going Chairperson shall be responsible for a smooth transition of information to the new Council.

SECTION 5.      Terms of Office. Terms of office for elected regular members are two years. Alternate members serve terms of one year.

SECTION 6.      Commitment of  Council members:   Members of the council volunteer their time to achieving the mission of the council. All members of NCAC, by virtue of their commitment to NCAC and the acceptance of the responsibility of representing their constituents, agree to:

i.        reading, understanding and abiding by the NCAC bylaws, policies and procedures,  Rosenberg’s Rules of Order and the San Luis Obispo County Community Advisory Council handbook.

ii.      serve as an officer (if elected) or committee member during their tenure in office

iii.    take advantage of the annual community advisory council training provided by San Luis Obispo County at least once, if feasible.

iv.     regularly attending  meetings prepared to do business.

SECTION 7.      Recall of an elected Council member may be held by eligible voters.  Upon validation of a petition bearing the signature of at least 75 of the registered voters  requesting the recall, the Council shall schedule a special election. This special election will determine if that representative shall be recalled. This recall election shall be within sixty (60) days of validation of the petition/s. Council will determine form and procedure appropriate at the time. If a Council member is successfully recalled, the ranking alternate shall serve the remainder of the original term.

SECTION 8.      Any elected Council member or alternate may be removed from office by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the NCAC for  non-compliance with the signed “Condition of Service” or for any conduct that is deemed inappropriate.

Elections

SECTION 1.                 

1.    To oversee the election, the North Coast Advisory Council (herein after referred to as “NCAC”) shall appoint a committee of volunteers to be known as: Community Election Committee (herein after referred to as “CEC”). No one whose name appears on the NCAC official ballot may serve on the CEC.

2.    The purpose of the CEC is to conduct the NCAC election in a fair, impartial and orderly manner and encourage broad representation, including members from San Simeon and the rural areas.  Members of the CEC shall conduct the election according to NCAC’s Election Procedure outline, attached

Distribution

1. The voting members of the advisory council shall include at least one member  representing San Simeon and one (1) representing rural/agricultural interests. All other members shall serve at-large.

SECTION 2.                  Eligible Candidates

Any current resident of Cambria and San Simeon and the surrounding rural areas  over the age of 18 may seek office (Article 3 section 2)

To have their name placed on the official ballot, prospective members must collect at least ten (10) signatures from people eligible to vote in the NCAC election and sign a letter of interest and conditions of service form.

SECTION 3.        Eligible Voters.

All residents, property owners, business licensees and nonprofit organizations located (or performing a significant part of their services) within the boundaries of NCAC  as defined in Article of these bylaws, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, income, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Section 2 Any qualified resident may vote for any candidate on the official ballot.

SECTION 4.                 Voting and Election Procedures (At Large Members)

1. Voters may vote for up to 4 candidates in even years and 3 candidates in odd years.  Ballots where more than the number of vacant seats are selected will be disqualified.
2. The CEC chair shall conduct a lottery to determine the randomly selected ballot position for each candidate. In addition, all election proceedings shall be supervised by the CEC Chair.
3. There shall be no proxies or write-ins.
4. If the number of declared candidates received is fewer than the number of elected positions to be filled, then those candidates shall be acclaimed and no election shall be held. Also, the alternate positions shall remain unfilled. Acclaimed candidates shall have the same standing as elected candidates.
5. In the event there are fewer than seven members, voting members shall seek out and appoint members to ensure seven member minimum at the first opportunity.

Voting In Person

1. Voters may be issued and/or cast a ballot on the 2^nd and 3^rd Fridays in May between 1:00pm and 5:30pm at the Veterans Hall and the 3^rd Wednesday at the NCAC regular May meeting.
2. No campaigning shall be allowed within 300 feet of a polling place.
3. Voters shall print their full-time residence addresses and sign their names on the voters’ sign-in sheet, affirming that they meet the age and full-time residency requirements specified in the NCAC Bylaws. Each voter shall be asked to verify full-time residence address by one of the following: a driver’s license, voter registration card, or other photo ID. Voter registration sheets shall include the voter’s contact preference (phone, email, address, none)  The sign-in process shall not in any way connect a specific voter with a specific ballot.

4. Ballots may be returned to the NCAC by US mail or in person at the polling place. Mailed ballots must be RECEIVED in PO Box 533 no later than 5:00 PM on the 3^rd Friday of May.

5. The CEC chair shall take care to secure all ballots  collected  in person in a tamperproof box and no counting shall be done until the deadline for voting has passed.

6.    After 5:30 on the 3^rd Friday in May, mailed in ballots and other collected ballots shall be counted in a  private area by only members of the CEC.  Ballots shall be disqualified if they are wrongly or illegally marked, or, if they are not official ballots. A majority of the CEC present must agree in order to disqualify a ballot. Disqualified ballots shall be marked as such and held separately.

7.    Upon completion of the count, the CEC Chair shall give the summary of the election results, including count of disqualified ballots, to the Vice Chair of the CEC.  The Vice Chair shall dismiss the CEC members and post the results . The Vice Chair shall forward the election results to the Chair of the NCAC. The NCAC Chair, or CEC Chair, shall notify the candidates and the news media of the results in a timely manner.

8.    The NCAC Chair shall store all ballots in sealed envelopes

9.    Voter registration sheets shall be stored in sealed envelopes. Sealing of the envelopes shall be verified by the signatures of at least two NCAC members, across the back envelope flap. The stored materials shall be presented to Council Chair at the next regular meeting. No one shall have access to these materials until that time.

10. Challenges to the election results (including requests for recount), shall be heard at  the next regular Council meeting. Neither the Chair, nor Vice Chair, nor any CEC member shall accept such challenges at the time the results are posted.

11. Voter Registration Sheets shall be held for a minimum of three months following the election date, after which they may be destroyed.

12. In transition year 2010, (x 5) regular members and (x 3) alternates will be chosen. In subsequent odd number years (x 3) seats will be open, in even years (x 4) will be elected.  Thereby, some experienced council members will provide  continuity for the Council each year.

13.  At least one seat shall be reserved for a representative from San Simeon and one seat for a representative of the rural areas. To serve as the representative for San Simeon or rural areas, a candidate must be eligible to serve and provide signatures of at least 10 residents of San Simeon or rural areas. In the event there is more than one interested, qualified candidate, the candidate with the most verifiable signatures shall serve as the voting member and all San Simeon candidates will be included on the ballot for the at large positions. Every effort shall be made to ensure San Simeon and the rural communities are represented.

14. The Community Election Committee Chairperson shall present the election results to the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting following the election.

15. The three alternates shall be ranked on the basis of the number of votes each received and shall substitute in rank order whenever feasible.   No regular voting privileges are to be bestowed upon alternates unless sitting as a substitute for a voting  member.  In the event of a vacancy caused by the loss of a regular elected member, the senior alternate will fill the vacancy. The first alternate vacancy is filled by the second alternate and second by third, if not already vacant. The remaining alternate vacancy remains unfilled until the next election. In the event there are not enough qualified candidates to fill the alternate positions such positions will remain vacant until the next election.

SECTION 5.                  Time line and Minimum Media requirements

Announce upcoming elections:  1^st week March (submit to Cambrian 4^th week February)

Candidates must submit declaration and signatures : Before April meeting adjourns

Finalize ballot and provide list of qualified candidates to Cambrian & publish online: 4^th week April

Printed Ballots available online and at selected locations: Monday of 2^nd week of May through Friday of 3^rd week of May 5:30pm

Sample ballot describing residency and sample “Conditions of  Service ” form with a section for Citizen endorsements is needed.

At the regular March meeting, the North Coast Advisory Council, we  reviewed comments on the Conservation and Open Space Element made by our COSE committee. The council  voted unanimously to endorse and submit all of the comments you will read here. Following the COSE committee’s endorsed comments are  nine comments voiced by individuals (members of the general public and the council) during the discussion. Those comments are also endorsed by the council, by majority vote.  Download a PDF version of the letter by clicking here. Or download a Word Doc version here.

View the Slideshow from the meeting.

Comments of particular note:

• The document creates an lengthy list of goals policies and strategies, but fails to   fulfill the reasons given for consolidation of the  elements it includes:

1.    to make them easier to use;

2.    to eliminate redundancy and maintain consistency;

3.     to group like policies for emphasis; and

4.    to address related community issues more comprehensively in one element.

• Strong support of Ag community’s position  for separation of Open Space and Agriculture Elements
• Concerns about contradictory or inconsistent priorities, policies, goals or strategies throughout the document.
• Complete silence on the issue of population growth – one of the driving motivations for protections.
• Collaboration and cooperation implementation strategies are required to achieve nearly every goal, yet few strategies are outlined and no evidence of input from the cooperating agencies can be found. One standout: is in the Water Resources Chapter:  County’s limited authority to implement water goals and policies.

Overview/General Comments

The overall organization of the document (starting with Goals and the Policies that reflect them and ending with Implementation Strategies) is strong and conceptually  sound.

However, some strategies are too vague to be useful and others are too specific to be flexible and word choices are haphazard to poor in places where framing is critical.

Examples of too vague: pp2.17 “Regularly monitor, measure, and report on the implementation status of the Climate Action Plan and adapt strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time.

Too specific: Implementation Strategy AQ 1.1.1 Encourage new residential development to be within walking distance (1/2 mile or less) to public activity centers such as schools, libraries, parks, and community centers. (E2)

Agriculture in COSE

No policy regarding agriculture should be included or implemented in the COSE. Conservation of agricultural resources is addressed in the Agriculture Element, along with the rest of county policies regarding Agriculture. References to agriculture in COSE should directly refer to that element. Examples: page 7.2 “Managed production of resources for agricultural lands is addressed in the Agriculture Element, and outdoor recreation is addressed in the Parks and Recreation Element.” page 7.9 “Because open space resources do not follow man-made boundaries, they occur on both public and private lands. Therefore, the following goals and policies in this chapter refer to the treatment of open space resources on public lands and on private non-agricultural lands.”

page 10.2: “At the same time, groundwater supplies will need to be protected for agriculture in accordance with the Agriculture Element.”

Understanding of Environment and Habitat

“Sustaining healthy ecosystems, preserving biodiversity and protecting diverse landscapes ensures a future that is healthy and vibrant ecologically, socially, and economically. Changing land uses, particularly converting of agricultural and rural lands to residential and urban uses, adversely impacts wildlife and native species. Such changes often fragment habitats, reduce biodiversity, increase pollutant loads, and increase flooding.” (1.13)

Humans are not completely independent of the ecological system and we could benefit from integrating humans into the concept of “habitat” instead of viewing “the environment” as something apart  and in competition with humans.

Silence on Population Growth

“Sustaining healthy ecosystems, preserving biodiversity and protecting diverse landscapes ensures a future that is healthy and vibrant ecologically, socially, and economically. Changing land uses, particularly converting of agricultural and rural lands to residential and urban uses, adversely impacts wildlife and native species. Such changes often fragment habitats, reduce biodiversity, increase pollutant loads, and increase flooding.” (1.13)

In 1957, Julian Huxley, an English scientist,  wrote in a book on morality:  Our biggest problem is population.  This document does not address that crucial issue, but it should, perhaps here in the general introduction.

Policies are needed because population growth  will continue to put pressure on our limited resources and more and more force us to make difficult choices and set priorities that reflect the control we have over our impact on our surroundings.

Technical corrections

“The open space chapter addresses issues of special importance to open space and other resources, such as agriculture.”  (1.14)

“The open space chapter addresses issues of special importance to open space and other resources, such as agriculture.”

“The State standard for particulate matter (PM10) is violated several times through out the year, resulting in the County’s nonattainment status with the State’s PM10 standard.”  (2.3)

PM10 is no longer considered an adequate measurement or standard for particulate pollution. Current measurement is  PM2.5.

Table at end of Air Quality:

AQ 1.7.3  should be 1.7.2 (Typo?)

AQ 4.2.7 referenced in Table, but not in document.

Air Quality Goals and Policy Areas

Priority time frames  for implementation need to be reviewed for consistency.  For Example:

AQ 1.7 “Bicycle and pedestrian travel” given “low” priority, whereas AQ 2.2 “Reduce vehicle trips” given “high” priority.

AQ 4.4.4 rated “High.”  The similar AQ 2.3.1 rated “Medium.” Why not consolidate these strategies?

AQ 4.2.6  This “strategy” is similar, or equivalent to AQ 4.2.5 but is regarded as an “essential” priority unlike the “medium” assigned to AQ 4.2.5.

Policy AQ 1.2  Reduce vehicle miles traveled

“Install adequate and secure bicycle racks and storage facilities at a ratio of 1 per every 10 vehicle spaces in new commercial and public buildings with a corresponding reduction in required automobile parking spaces. Showers and changing facilities should also be encouraged.” 2.9

Great idea: increase bicycle accommodations while reducing vehicle parking.

Policy AQ 1.3   Convenient alternative transportation

Public transit should be a nominal cost, or free; county funds should not be spent on projects that make driving the easiest of options (program with no plan for implementation.)

Policy AQ 3.7   Reduce vehicle idling

“Encourage the reduction of heavy-vehicle idling throughout the county.”

No implementation strategies. Suggested strategy: Model on proposed South Coast Air Quality Management District

Policy AQ 4.2   Mitigate greenhouse gas emissions

“Prepare and implement a Climate Action Plan to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.”

This is given a “medium priority and 2010 time frame.” Should be “High” and “Immediate.”

Implementation should be more urgently pursued. According to the Carnegie Institution for Science – February 2009, we are adding carbon to the atmosphere 4 times faster than we did in the 1990’s.  The current level is “now outside the entire envelope of possibilities that were considered in the 1907 IPCC.” (International  Panel on Climate Change)

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE GOALS AND POLICY AREAS

Policy BR 4.7 Contamination from Pesticides

“Limit contamination from the use of commercial, residential, and public application of pesticides and herbicides into all inland and coastal waters, including but not limited to rivers, streams, wetlands, and intertidal areas. Make exceptions when such application is beneficial to public safety or welfare, or is necessary to protect a crop and is applied in accordance with label directions and permitted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.”

Why isn’t this in the Water Chapter? There are no strategies for this very important policy. A stronger tactic than “limit” is needed, given the precarious state of the ocean, due to run-off.

Goal 5: Wetlands will be preserved.

BR 5.1.2. states “where avoidance  of wetlands is not possible require the provision of replacement habitat onsite through restoration and/or habitat creation, provided that no net loss of wetland area, wetland function, and habitat values occurs. When on site wetland mitigation is not feasible, provide for offsite mitigation….is not feasible.”

The wording of the implementation strategies dilute the potential strength of this policy.

Why are No Net Loss and Preserve and Conversion all separate policies? Couldn’t they be combined into one category with a toolbox of implementation strategies

Policy BR 7.3 Agricultural Best Management Practices

“Support agriculturalists and other landowners that participate in education and assistance programs and other voluntary and cooperative programs that encourage sustainable land management practices (Best Management Practices) that reduce erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient levels in coastal watersheds.”

This paragraph should be removed from the COSE as these practices are specifically addressed in the Ag Element.

CULTURAL RESOURCES GOALS AND POLICY AREAS

“Goal CR 4 The County’s known and potential archaeological and paleontological resources will be preserved and protected.

Policy CR 4.1 Non-development Activities

Discourage or avoid activities, other than development, that could damage or destroy archaeological sites, including off-road vehicle use on or adjacent to known sites. Prohibit unauthorized collection of artifacts.” 4.10

Why exempt development? Could contradict some of the uses of public lands in the Open Space chapter.

ENERGY RESOURCES GOALS AND POLICY AREAS

Policy E 1.5 Waste burning

“Encourage waste-burning biomass facilities as a method of producing electrical energy where environmental and air quality impacts can be mitigated and the facility is compatible with adjoining uses.”

Not a good idea. Mitigation of air quality impacts unrealistic.  Would generate severe pollution. Contradiction with AQ policies.

Goal E 5 Recycling, waste diversion, and reuse will be increased. 5.15

Recycling is emphasized and provided for in the county and in the implementation strategies, but using less and wasting less is barely referenced.

Goal E 5 Recycling, waste diversion, and reuse will be increased. 5.15

What about industry in the County? Working with businesses (providing incentives)  to encourage source reduction and use of recycled materials when possible.

“Policy E 5.3 Biomass and composting

Encourage biomass, green waste, and food waste composting facilities (agricultural, residential, food service, commercial, industrial.)” 5.16

Good idea and necessary.

“Goal E 7 APPROPRIATE ENERGY FACILITY DESIGN, SITING, AND OPERATION WILL BE ENSURED.

Implementation Strategy for siting facilities: Employ the best reasonably achievable techniques available to mitigate impacts to environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, animal or bird refuges, or habitat of species of special concern. Avoid impacts to habitat of rare, threatened, or endangered species.” 5.19

“Reasonably,” “mitigate,” “avoid” are weak words that underline an intrinsic weak approach to preservation. Consider strength of approach.

Open Space Resources and Policy Areas

SUGGESTION FOR MAJOR CHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THIS CHAPTER

Goal 1 seems to try to encompass too much.

Goals 2, 3, and 4 are essentially implementations of Goal 1.

A reexamination of this chapter might yield a more clear set of policies that address the stated issues with a toolbox of strategies for expressing those policies. Perhaps this could be organized by ownership category and/or by its designation (recreation, public access, habitat preservation, visual resource preservation, etc)

The main policy seems to be maintaining the open space that does exist and ensuring development is within or contiguous with lands already developed (closed space?). How that policy is implemented depends almost entirely on the property owner. When the lands are not publicly owned, non-ag open space is subject to development standards of the general plan.

“Goal OS 4 Urban sprawl and inappropriate development of rural areas will be prevented.”

Revision Suggestion

Goal 4 might be better stated: Privately owned open space resources will be protected from destruction by  urban sprawl and other inappropriate development. (Since publicly owned space is protected in OS Goal 2)

“Policy OS 2.11 Recreational use of publicly-owned open space

Continue to establish and implement policies and management strategies to provide recreational use of open space. 7.21

This is rated as “High” priority.  Should be low.  Recreational use of open space, like recreational use of drugs, can be damaging.

“Policy OS 4.7 Expansion of urban/village areas: location

Permit expansion of urban or village areas only where contiguous to an existing urban/village reserve line as shown in Figure OS-3, unless an entirely new urban or village areas is needed in order to direct growth and protect the surrounding rural lands and the rural character of the area.” 7.24

Contradictory and dilutes the strength of policies in Air Quality, Open Space and Water Resources

Water Resources Goals and Policy Areas– Major Issues

The water resources section focuses almost exclusively on supply, as if demand is an unchangeable given.

This chapter especially calls for cooperation and collaboration between agencies. There is a serious weakness to implementing many of these policies (and there are a lot of them): What if the other agencies refuse to cooperate or enact policies contradictory to those of the County? Clear delineations of the specific authority of agencies over water policies are unlikely to be easy to define. Policies that have no reasonable chance of guiding actions waste time and money.

Water Resources Goals and Policy Areas

“and conserving the water resources we currently use.” 10.2

more efficient use of our water resources. (Conservation is what you do when you are experiencing drought and must reduce your water use. Efficient use of water is the goal to work toward- eliminating waste of water through careless or reckless use and leaks.)

“Securing adequate water supply for all beneficial uses, especially agricultural land uses, is a priority of the General Plan.” 10.3

Why “especially Agricultural land uses”? Are these more threatened than other beneficial uses? They may be considered more important beneficial uses, but if they are not more threatened, this parenthetical phrase is unnecessary and seems platitudinous.

“Strategic growth principles call for redirecting development from areas that rely on groundwater to urban areas served by surface water in order to protect groundwater for agriculture.”   10.3

Groundwater is unmonitored and a one-size-fits-all policy may be inappropriate, since some lands with ag uses have riparian rights that already supersede other  priorities.

WR Goal 1 THE COUNTY WILL HAVE A RELIABLE AND SECURE REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY (IRWM). 10.5

This Goal is too vague to be really useful. Defining “reliable and secure” and appropriate levels of end user consumption must be included for any of these policies to have real meaning.

Water demand management should be recognized as an alternative water source.

Goal 1 THE COUNTY WILL HAVE A RELIABLE AND SECURE REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY (IRWM). pp10.5

Policy WR 1.2 Expand desalination opportunities

Support the expansion of desalination opportunities (IRWM). Desalination projects will balance water supply needs with potential effects on biological resources, especially marine resources. Desalination projects will be powered by non-fossil fuel sources where feasible.

WR1.2 contradicts WR1.1 (protect water supplies), policies in Air Quality and Energy, not to mention Open Space and Biological Resources. Move this policy down in the order (from 1.2 to  1.14, for example) to reduce its importance. County policy should be:  if nothing else can provide reliable water, then desal is ok. If  all other  additional water  sources have been  considered and/or put into use  (including water efficiencies/reduction and system leak reductions), then support for desal by county.(Water of last resort)

Desalination “Implementation Strategy WR 1.2.3 Continue to identify potential partners for desalination projects.” 10.6

What is meant by “partner”? The North Coast Area Plan requires any desalination project be owned and managed by public agency.

Policy WR 1.6 Agricultural operations

“Groundwater management strategies will give priority to agricultural operations. Protect agricultural water supplies from competition by incompatible development through land use controls.” 10.8

Where land is not zoned ag, this makes little or no sense. Where it is zoned for ag, it would be subject to the policies of the Ag element. This doesn’t seem appropriate for this element and offers only vague definitions. Is groundwater management a county responsibility or water agencies or state? A balanced approach that recognizes efficiency and reduced withdrawals as beneficial for instream uses . Inconsistencies in groundwater management and priority of use to ag, who are often not served by agencies. Costs of groundwater basin studies can be prohibitive.

“Policy WR 1.11 Impacts of new development Implementation Strategy WR 1.11.2

Require applications for land divisions that would increase density or intensity in groundwater basins with recommended or certified Levels of Severity II or III (for water supply or water systems) and are not in adjudication to include a water supply assessment (WSA) prepared by a public water supplier (as defined by California Water Code Section 10617). The WSA should:

a. Determine whether the total projected water supplies for the project during the next 20 years will meet the projected water demand associated with the proposed project, in addition to existing and planned future uses, including agricultural uses.

b. If water supplies will be insufficient, the WSA should include the water purveyor’s plans for acquiring additional water supplies.” 10.9

This seems like it would only add to the levels of complexity, additional cost and work for county staff without any measurable added benefit.

Policy WR 1.13 Avoid net increase in water use

Avoid a net increase in non-agricultural water use in groundwater basins that are certified as Level of Severity II or III for water supply. Place limitations on further land divisions in these areas until plans are in place and funded to ensure that the safe yield will not be exceeded. (GM5 revised)

No Implementation strategies robs this policy of any power. .

“GROUNDWATER MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT GOAL 2 THE COUNTY WILL MANAGE GROUNDWATER RESOURCES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIES FOR ALL BENEFICIAL USES.

Develop groundwater management plans for each of the county’s groundwater basins and collaborate with overlying users in the development of management plans. ”

A countywide ordinance would only add to the incredibly complex maze of water laws with very little benefit.

“Goal WR 4 Per capita potable water use in the county will decline by 20 percent by 2020.” 10.15

Cambria’s water master plan includes a major contradiction to this policy (i.e. a 50%  “quality of life” increase in water use when the desal plant comes online.)

This is a major contradiction.

“Goal WR 4 Per capita potable water use in the county will decline by 20 percent by 2020.” 10.15

A concern raised in communities already facing restrictions: will they be subject to an ADDITIONAL 20% reduction or is the 20% reduction to be calculated based on a county-wide average?

Implementation Strategy WR 4.1.3

Evaluate the feasibility of creating a consortium, Joint Powers Authority, Memorandum of Understanding, or other formal partnership with all water purveyors in the county to provide a comprehensive and consistent countywide water conservation program that includes education, outreach, and financial incentives.” 10.16

Repeated policy (WR 1.4 Interagency projects)

Gathering the current conservation programs from water purveyors might be a good place to start.

“Policy WR 4.3 The County will be a leader in water conservation efforts.” 10.16

Good that the County is setting an example. To extract even greater benefit, updates on successes and offering specific strategies or programs that have worked to other government agencies for use.

“Policy WR 4.6 Encourage the use of graywater systems, rainwater catchments, and other water reuse methods in new development and renovation projects, consistent with state and local water quality regulations.

Implementation Strategy WR 4.6.1 Develop and adopt a graywater ordinance and program to facilitate the reuse of domestic wastewater for onsite irrigation and other water conservation measures as appropriate.”  10.17

Good start, but strategy only includes greywater, not rain catchment,  or other systems. Implementation doesn’t require reinventing the wheel, but should include cooperation with local water agencies, plumbers, contractors and developers. Incentives for these types of efficiencies.

“Policy WR 5.2  Climate Change The County will consider ongoing research on long-term changes in climate and precipitation patterns in the county and region in its approach to managing water resources.” 10.19

“Consider” implies a certain passivity.  There are no implementation strategies for this policy. Perhaps identifying specific “trusted” resources for tracking and summary reports scheduled at specific intervals or triggered by specific events.

FLOOD CONTROL GOAL 6 DAMAGE TO LIFE, STRUCTURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES FROM FLOODS WILL BE AVOIDED.

Nothing to address sea-level rise flooding threats. that are expected due to effects of climate change

From THE IMPACTS OF SEA-LEVEL RISE ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST, Pacific Institute March 2009 – Federal  flood  insurance  maps  should  include  information  on  future  flood  risks  due  to  sea?level  rise.  The  Federal  Emergency  Management  Agency’s  official  flood  insurance  studies  show  hazard  zones  that  reflect  past  or  present  flood risks.  Because  these  are  the  de  facto  planning  documents  used  by  most  local  governments,  they  should  be  updated  to  show  the  future  hazard  areas  and  include  the  current  science  on  climate  change  and  sea level  rise.

Additional Comments from the community

Below are additional comments voiced at the meeting by the public and individual council members and endorsed by majority of the Council. With the exception of the general comments, they all point to policies that should be considered and included in the COSE, but currently are not.

General:

• It is not based on current mapping or data. In some cases the mapping is out-of-date or non-existent.
• Overwhelming support for separation of open space and agriculture elements.

In Air Quality:

• There is no policy on wood burning.
• Misunderstanding of controlled burns as a preventative measure. (See table below.)

Emission Source	PM (tpy)	PM10 (tpy)	PM 2.5 (tpy)
Wild fires	3292.32	306.81	956.4
Waste Burning and Disposal (Controlled burn)	35.0	34.4	32.1

• No policies regarding threats to air quality of off-road vehicles, lawnmowers, blowers, water boats, tractors wildfires and controlled burns.

In Biological Resources:

• No policy regarding removal or protection of native vegetation.
• Marine Resources are not included.

In Open Space:

• Support was expressed for the TDC Program

In Water Resources:

• No policy on contamination from mercury mines.

As it stands, this is a very complex set of policies that did not achieve the benefits being combined. They were combined to make them easier to use;  to eliminate redundancy and maintain consistency; to group like policies for emphasis; and to address related community issues more comprehensively in one element.  Instead, the draft is unwieldy and overly complex and redundant. There are some positive notes and  quite a few  indications of how far we have yet to go.

The North Coast Advisory Council appreciates the opportunity to provide comments from our community on these important policies.

Amanda Rice

Chair, North Coast Advisory Council

P.O. Box 533

Cambria, CA 93428

Phone 4191

The council will be discussing comments on the Conservation and Open Space Element of the County General plan. The committee will be meeting to discuss their individual comments and prepare a report for the full council meeting on March 18, 2009. A preview of the draft comments on the 238 page document are available for review. The draft comments posted here are those of individual committee members and may not necessarily be approved or supported by the council.

If you are interested in the Conservation and Open Space element, come to the committee meeting and/or the March NCAC meeting.

Download the draft Comments from the committee.(pdf)

Download a summary of Goals and Policies of the Element (.doc)

Visit the County Planning Department website to download the full document.