RESPONSE TO SIERRA CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE

By Alon Perlman

SANTA LUCIA CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CANDIDATES IN THE 2008 ELECTION LOS OSOS COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT

Respondant; Alon Perlman

SANTA LUCIA CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CANDIDATES IN THE 2008 ELECTION LOS OSOS COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT

Respondant; Alon Perlman

1. Do you want the endorsement of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club and if so, why?

• I do wish for the endorsement, because my activities in the past few years are consistent with the Sierra Club philosophies. I have participated in the local meetings of the CSD and have been a member of the Environmental Committee of the CSD and currently as an alternate on CSD's Emergency Services Committee Los Osos Community Advisory Board (in which I have been an elected member since '06). I have also participated in numerous other activities (measure Q GMO) Eucalyptus trees workshop, Audubon Society activities (not as a member) Small Wilderness Area Protection. Stop the waiver (Morro Bay) I have spoken publicly before the Planning Committee, the BOS, the city council of Morro Bay, Waterboard hearings at the State and Central Coast region, State Parks commission, Coastal Commission. I have received good feedback from fellow activists, members of environmental organizations, and from many members of the public who regularly watch the local government channels. There hasn't been much coverage of these activities in the written press and in order to reach the portion of the population who may be interested in another environmentally conscious CSD candidate, a Sierra Club endorsement process would go a long way.

• Weed pulling in the Elfin Forrest, planting memorial trees in the Sweet Springs area. I used my experience in science to communicate to authorities, and familiarize members of the public, regarding the pollution of the ocean outfall, the nature and uncertainties of nitrate pollution. The need for considering the relative contributions of agriculture, residences, and other pollution sources. I have supported the retention of Eucalyptus, highlighting the susceptibility of some of our native trees to disease and pointing out the high cost of using level III severity water shortages to grow Oaks as replacements. I was very active in identifying the aged chaparral in and near the Morro shores vested tract as unmapped ESHA.

• Desalination is highly energy consumptive and generates a slurry of toxic minerals and I am not in favor of it. Crossing the Estuary, or the Sand Spit with an intake pipe would be problematic. Los Osos has a unique geologic structure, a deep aquifer that has existed for thousands of years, it is the ultimate renewable resource, the epitome of sustainability. Halting salt water intrusion caused by over utilization is a priority. As a (potential) CSD Director I may be constrained to involve in such a desalination project, and would act to maximize renewable energy and minimize environmental impact. Though public ownership would appear to me now to be better than private, I would reserve judgment to consider all factors to decide what is best for the community.

• AB 2701 provides for the return of the project to the LOCSD based on a negative decision by the SLO Board of Supervisors (BOS). Currently the CSD is in poor shape to take on that responsibility, but if necessary, it will have to be done, starting with negotiations with the Waterboard. The much more likely scenario as described in AB 2701, is upon the passage of three years after a project is completed. In that case, in addition to the ongoing maintenance of the system, there may be identified needs for additional services or levels of waste processing and water extraction or reuse. If elected it is my intention to use the next four years to make the CSD as efficient as possible while keeping the coordination with the county and knowledge base intact so that this CSD can take over the project, having created a funding source and lender confidence. Instituting a septic tank maintenance district, which is allowed under AB2701, could help the CSD create a revenue source and be better prepared.

• Protecting the water supply starts with conservation. Current conservation efforts are good as the Los Osos citizenry and business have stepped forward, but this will have to continue and be expanded in the future. This effort is lead by conscious citizens, including others running in this election. For my part I have been active in the LOCAC land use committee's wording and requests for mitigation of new water use, and the LOCAC council's sponsorship of discussions leading to Water severity level III declaration by the county. I advocated to this CSD that it was possible for them to assign a tiered rate schedule based on information from other localities. Unfortunately they decided to go with an across-the board increase instituting tiered rates only after more study. The other main water purveyor in town is regulated by the PUC and so far has not instituted this important economic disincentive to consumption. There is a contribution of nitrates to the ground water though not as severe as some of the polemic. Even if the prohibition zone is sewered, there are septic systems outside the prohibition zone in town, and emerging contaminants may threaten the ground water if not addressed by a septic tank management program, that the CSD could implement.

• Ag. Exchange is a function of wastewater control and not in the direct preview of this CSD. This will need to be addressed as currently a significant amount of high quality deep aquifer water is pumped out in the rural area north east of town, then immediately blended with nitrate and phosphate fertilizer. This exchange is a form of conservation. Other waste water reuse is also dependant on the outcome of the county's efforts. Denitrification is a process similar to desalination but much more economical. Golden State Co. is currently using this process for some high nitrate Los Osos well water. I advocated to the Morro Bay city council that they could not depend on the pre-scheduled November state water stoppage as the only time that they need a secondary water source. Two months after I spoke, the state water was interrupted due to Shad population crash.. SLO city has taken a philosophy of multiple secondary sources. Los Osos will eventually need to have some kind of additional water source, preferably not state water.

• As an advocate, I recently told the Coastal Commission that in Los Osos "We live on a sand filter" and I think they listened. As a CSD Director, however I would prefer that the board communicate its consensus via the general manager as much as possible, delivering verbal and written succinct messages that are cognizant of the Commission's or other agencies mandates and institutional philosophies. As a director I would be, as much as possible, representing the interests of all Los Osos. Inter agency communication is essential and several efforts; "the land sea connection", for example, have provided steps in the right direction. Knowledge of the previews and territoriality, as well as understanding of "institutional inertia", is key to speaking the regulatory language.

Candidate's Statement

Goals:

• Bring the CSD through its current unprecedented Legal and Financial difficulties, while maintaining service levels & receiving community input, by giving direction to staff and committees.

• Enhance the CSD's interactions with water users/purveyors and governmental agencies to address salt water intrusion and to provide Stewardship of the Aquifer.

• Lay the groundwork for the restoration of local control over wastewater, under the options outlined in AB2701 and the RWQCB basin plan amendments.

<http://santalucia.sierraclub.org/lucian/2008/October08.pdf>

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Authors comment; minor edits for clarity (added "the need for considering" in answer to question 2 and the word "committees" in Goals)