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KUSP provides a brief Land Use Report on KUSP Radio. Tune in every weekday at 6:33 or 8:49 am. KUSP is at 88.9 FM in General Coverage, 105.9 FM in Big Sur Valley, 91.3 FM in Palo Colorado Canyon, and 91.7 FM in San Ardo. Archives of past transcripts are available here. Week of December 22, 2003 to December 26, 2003
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors. Monday,
December 22, 2003 – Marina Heights Tonight There are several water-related issues that have not received an adequate public hearing. Procedurally, the Council was required to include a comprehensive Water Supply Assessment in the Environmental Impact Report circulated on the project. This was never done, so the analysis and discussion required by CEQA has never taken place. There’s a bit of finger-pointing about who’s to blame for the omission, but in a way, that’s beside the point. The substantive concerns about water are what are important. The first concern is whether there is an adequate water supply for the proposed new development. The second concern is water quality. Both toxic contamination and salt water intrusion are definite factors. Third, and perhaps most interesting from a land use policy point of view, is whether there will be water for any other substantial development in Marina if a commitment is made to Marina Heights. The Marina Heights development is almost entirely high-end residential. The job producing projects that Marina has on the drawing board could fail to materialize, if all the available water has been used by Marina Heights. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Tuesday,
December 23, 2003 – Water Quality Workshop For many years, agricultural operations have not had to get the kind of specific permission for waste discharges that other businesses have. Changes in the law, however, are now requiring some changes in how agricultural properties are treated with respect to waste discharges and water quality concerns. Obviously, these changes are of very significant concern to commercial agriculture. Working farmers are not used to getting permits before plowing their fields. Some sort of reasonable approach is clearly necessary, but it is true that agricultural operations, if they’re not properly conducted, can have a big impact on water quality, and that affects everyone, not just farmers. Environmental groups like the Ocean Conservancy, The Environmental Council of San Luis Obispo County, and the Environmental Defense Center, would like to make sure that the public at large, as well as agriculture, is fully involved in the solution. You can get more information at the KUSP website, www.kusp.org. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Wednesday,
December 24, 2003 – AMBAG Tri-County Economic Conference “Regional government” is perhaps a misnomer. In fact, California state law really doesn’t mandate much in the way of “regional government.” The governmental decisions that count the most are made by city councils and by county Boards of Supervisors. Because that’s true, regional concerns are often not “optimized.” AMBAG, and other Councils of Government, as they’re called, do have some significant authority. For instance, it’s AMBAG that decides what the “fair share” of future growth will be for each county and city within the AMBAG region. Mostly however, Councils of Government operate by persuasion and education. To that end, AMBAG sponsors many informative meetings and workshops, and they’re well worth attending. On January 16th next year, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside, AMBAG is sponsoring its 10th Annual Tri-County Economic Conference. This is a popular event, and you need to make an advance reservation if you’d like to attend. You can find out more by clicking on the Land Use Report link at www.kusp.org. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Thursday,
December 25, 2003 – A Christmas Thought So, if I might, let me give you a Christmas thought. Winter can be a discouraging season. In my mind’s eye, I see a winter scene. In the field, steam rises. A farmer stamps his numb cold feet. The soil is laid open and the rich, warm heart of the earth revealed. Bob Dylan sings. “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--all them prophets is dead and gone. Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.” The Christmas message tells us not what is, but what is to come. The winter is a time of transformation, and in a dark season of discouragement, we celebrate a feast of lights. A new year is coming. A new reality is being born, and a whole new order in the world. The message of this season is a declaration of faith--a message we must apply to our politics, as well as to our personal lives. As the plow turns its furrow, in the dead cold field, the rich, warm heart of the earth is revealed. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--are all those prophets really dead and gone? I don’t think so. Keep your hand on that plow, hold on! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. Friday,
December 26, 2003 – AB 1015 (Water and The General Plan) Everyone residing in the Central Coast area also knows that water issues are of paramount concern to our local communities, and to the future of our local economy. It makes sense, of course, for our local General Plans to focus significantly on water quality and water supply issues. Is it a surprise for you to learn that there is no requirement, currently, to match General Plan policies to the existing and potential sources of water that might be used to supply existing and future developments included in the General Plan? That’s true! However, Assembly Member John Laird is attempting to ride to the rescue. He has introduced Assembly Bill 1015, sponsored by Attorney General Bill Lockyer. If enacted, AB 1015 will require General Plan policies that link water supply to proposed new developments. You can get access to the text of the bill, and other information, www.kusp.org. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Archives of past transcripts are available here |
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