Environmental Forums bring clarity to two important Bay Area issues
by Andi Fray

Committee for Green Foothills recently held two public environmental forums on issues of increasing importance: the appropriate use of recycled water, and the relationship between land use planning and budgeting.

"Treated Wastewater: Where, how, why? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?"
The use of treated wastewater for irrigation and other needs is becoming increasingly attractive as we draw down fresh water supplies. At our October 2 forum moderated by San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon, three panelists gathered at Miramar Lodge and Conference Center in Half Moon Bay to discuss the best use of diminishing water resources. Key points raised included appropriate uses, levels of treatment, testing protocols and ways to address public concerns about the potential risks of reclaimed water.

Panelists included Bob Holden, Water Recycling Projects Coordinator of Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, Lawrence Kolb, Principal Engineer of San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and Eric Rosenblum, Manager of South Bay Water Recycling, San Jose Environmental Services Department.

The forum was designed to provide the public with information based on facts rather than speculation. Half Moon Bay City Council member Deborah Ruddock praised the panel for its "outstanding presentation" of the issues involving recycled water. "We must seriously consider using the resources we have more efficiently and reusing what we have whenever possible," she said.

John Muller, Chair of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, was pleased with the diversity of viewpoints represented. He warned that "we are stretching our resources," and feels that water recycling is "something the Coast has to work toward."

The forum was supported by a grant from the Peninsula Community Foundation and cosponsored by the San Mateo County League for Coastside Protection, Save Our Shores and Surfrider Foundation San Mateo County.

"Land use planning and the budget"
The ongoing budget crisis in Santa Clara County has led to cuts in Planning Department staff. Is environmental protection a luxury to be jettisoned during tough economic times, or a way to avoid fiscal crises? At CGF's October 9 forum, moderated by Professor Meg Caldwell, Lecturer in Law and Director of Stanford Law School Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program, a group of panelists met at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium to examine how environmental practices - specifically land use planning - affect budgets in the long run.

Panelists included David Ginsborg, Director of Special Programs and External Affairs of Santa Clara County Office of the Assessor, Janet Stone, Livable Communities Director of Greenbelt Alliance, Terry Trumbull, Environmental Attorney and Fred Foldvary, Professor of Economics at Santa Clara University.

The group discussed the budget implications of smart growth, Proposition 13, quality of life and taxes. Former Santa Clara County Planning staff member Don Weden said, "The panel did an excellent job of communicating the point that how and where we accommodate our future growth affects not only our environment, but also the public costs incurred by local and state governments to provide and maintain the infrastructure necessary to serve new development."

This forum was supported by a grant from the Hugh Stuart Charitable Trust and cosponsored by Greenbelt Alliance and Santa Clara Valley Audubon.

CGF would like to thank the panelists and moderators for volunteering their time and participation. We'd also like to thank Keet Nerhan for donating the use of the Miramar Lodge and Conference Center, and volunteers Kendy Dickman and Tom Daniell for videotaping the forums.

Tapes of the forums will air on local public access television; we'll notify our action alert subscribers once details are set. Videotapes will also be available in Acterra's Environmental Library in the Peninsula Conservation Center.