REDWOOD NEEDLES Presented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES Return to Article Menu Napa County Group Up Valley News At the May 2nd meeting of the Napa Group Executive Committee, two policies were adopted regarding proposed projects in Calistoga. First, we are joining with Friends of Rural Calistoga, the Napa Country Transportation Commission, and Assemblymember Pat Wiggins to oppose the Caltrans Route 29 Rehabilitation Project. The proposed project would remove 74 native oaks, take out a number of grapevines, and diminish the small wildlife cover corridor between vineyards and housing developments. We also voted unanimously to oppose the Calistoga Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade. The Napa County Sierra Club has retained the law firm of Gagen, McCoy, McMahon & Armstrong in this matter. On May 4th, we presented testimony to the State Water Resources Control Board, at their monthly workshop, against the upgrade project and succeeded in getting the board to continue the item until their May 20th meeting in Sacramento. We chose to oppose this project for five reasons: 1. Water conservation (voluntary or mandatory) was not considered in the planning process. This could save from 50,000 to 150,000 gallons per day load on the sewer plant, not to mention savings to drinking water supply deficiencies. 2. The upgrade does not address the Boron problem of the treated water. Geothermal discharges to the system account for approximately 150,000 gallons per day. Additionally, the subsequent Boron content of the water makes this resource unusable except for turfgrass and pasture irrigation. While both Yountville and Sonoma deliver treated water to vineyards and produce revenue, Calistoga maintains a delivery system to give away water, or, in some cases, pays people to take it. Treating the geothermal water separately would cost about $1.6 million (one fourth the cost of a new treatment plant) and, subsequently, allow the remaining water to be marketed. Either of the above options would bring the sewer plant back into capacity compliance and provide for some future growth. 3. At this time, Calistoga is beginning a new General Plan process. We feel that without a community consensus on growth, an expanded sewer plant should not be undertaken at this time, as excess capacity tends to fuel growth. 4. There is substantial uncertainty regarding the applicability of Proposition 218. A State Revolving Fund loan would foreclose the community’s input into this matter, as Proposition 218 prohibits challenges. 5. The proposed sewer plant upgrade is the least environmentally friendly alternative available to Calistoga. Activated sludge systems are the most energy-intensive type of treatment available. Additionally, they produce a constant waste stream of sludge that must be disposed of in landfills. Thus, the costs of operation cannot be predicted with any certainty for the future. Growth in the Napa Valley is being debated vigorously. The Napa County Group has supported continuing the rural/agricultural mix. We recognize that the rapid population growth of the last forty years has diminished the quality of life in the Napa Valley and we are committed to preserving and enhancing that quality of life. For additional information, please contact Tyler York, Vice Chair, 707-942-8374, or Gina Hitchcock, Secretary, 707-967-8456. &emdash;Tyler York, Vice Chair, Napa County Group Return to Article Menu Last updated on 3/02/99 Comments or suggestions? Drop us a line at heyneedles@aol.com