CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION Hearing Procedures & FAQ Agenda Item Th8a & 9a – California-American Water Company Desalination Facility

California Coastal Commission Hearing Procedures
Agenda Item Th8a & 9a – California-American Water Company Desalination Facility
9:00am - Thursday, November 14, 2019
Oceano Hotel & Spa
280 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay
Remote Testimony Available at City of Marina Council Chambers
211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina
Hearing Procedures as of November 6, 2019


FAQ
Agenda Item Th8a & 9a – California-American Water Company
Desalination Facility

NOTEWORTHY EXCERPTS:

4. Why aren’t the Commissioners taking a final vote on this proposal?
It is not unusual for the Commissioners to need more than one hearing to make a final decision on items as complex as the Cal-Am desalination proposal. In this case, Coastal Commission staff met with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) staff to discuss the posted staff recommendation on the Cal-Am project. The CPUC staff raised new technical questions about water supply and demand, potential ground water impacts, and the Pure Water expansion alternative – all of which require further investigation. Commission staff therefore decided it was important to hear applicant, agency, and public comments in a public hearing and to explore key remaining technical questions before the Commission considers voting on the project proposal.

5. Will there be any voting on this item?
There will not be a Commission vote on whether to approve or deny the Cal-Am project at the November hearing. However, because item 8a is an appeal of a local permit decision, the Commission may vote on whether the appeal raises a “substantial issue.” If the Commission finds that it does, that will allow the hearing on the appeal to move forward. Then the Commission will open the public hearing and take public comment on whether to approve or deny Cal-Am’s project. The hearing will address all aspects of the project proposed in the coastal zone including the portion in the City of Marina that is on appeal (item 8a) and those portions in the County and Seaside and in the Commission’s own permitting jurisdiction (item 9a). The next hearing on this item will likely be scheduled for March in Santa Cruz.