Title
REF220006 DESALINIZATION TREATMENT FACILITY
a. Find that an ordinance amending Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code to remove the prohibition on private ownership or operation of a desalinization facility would not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a Negative Declaration; and
b. Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code to remove the prohibition on private ownership or operation of a desalinization facility.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Find that an ordinance amending Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code to remove the prohibition on private ownership or operation of a desalinization facility would not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a Negative Declaration; and
b. Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code to remove the prohibition on private ownership or operation of a desalinization facility.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Chapter 10.72 of the Monterey County Code addresses the construction, ownership and operation of a desalinization treatment facility. Chapter 10.72 outlines the requirements for obtaining permits to construct and operate water desalinization treatment facilities within Monterey County. Chapter 10.72 defines a desalinization treatment facility as "a facility which removes or reduces salts from water to a level that meets drinking water standards and/or irrigation purposes." Chapter 10.72 requires that any public or private person or entity seeking to construct or operate a desalinization facility obtain both a construction permit and an operation permit. Section 10.72.030(B) requires that an applicant for a permit to operate a desalinization facility "provide assurances that each facility will be owned and operated by a public entity," thus prohibiting the ownership or operation of such a facility by private interests, unless the prohibition is preempted by federal or state law or regulation...
Click here for full text