LandWatch News Alert!
LandWatch wins an important court case requiring full environmental review.

THURSDAY, January 12, 2006

Superior Court Judge Robert O’Farrell ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by LandWatch Monterey County and River Road Ranchers for Responsible Growth.

The lawsuit was filed in March, 2005, one month after the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved, by a 4 to 1 vote, a 72-acre, 14 lot project on River Road without conducting a full environmental impact report (EIR). With this approval, the pro-development majority on the Board continued its chronic practice of approving projects without adequate environmental review, in direct violation of the California Environmental Quality Act.

Suburban development on River Road conflicts with the agricultural use of surrounding properties. The County should not even consider such projects without a full EIR, full public disclosure of the EIR’s findings, and an opportunity for the public to comment on those findings.

All too often in Monterey County, local officials act as if they are above the law. They simply choose not to follow even the clearest statements of what the law requires. When public officials do that, they are denying the public interest, and are putting our local economy and environment at risk.

LandWatch members should celebrate this significant victory. Although there is still much to be done to set the “ship of state" in Monterey County on a good course, this victory on River Road is an important step toward building a more responsible and better future!

Very Truly Yours,

Chris Fitz, Executive Director
LandWatch Monterey County

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