The KUSP Land Use Report #37: Water Planning

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Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, presents the following Land Use Report. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of our sponsors.

Water and land use are definitely related. Or, at least, they need to be. Historically, land use planning has been assigned to counties and cities. Water supply planning has been assigned to districts specifically formed to deal with water issues. This separation of responsibilities can cause problems. It is frequently said that water agencies are trying to make land use decisions. On the other hand, it’s a common complaint that land use agencies approve projects that don’t actually have reliable water.

In North Monterey County, the latter complaint prevails. Groundwater overdraft occurs when land use agencies give approval to projects that are draining the aquifer. It’s like depleting a bank account, with ultimate bankruptcy on the horizon. On the Monterey Peninsula, where water comes from surface sources, and there is no groundwater bank account to overdraft, the Water Management District has essentially said that there is simply no more water available, and no way to get around that. This means that new land uses requiring water can’t go forward, and that’s not a popular message for some.

A lack of coordination between land use planning and water planning is at the root of contentious political disputes. Some planning techniques, to be included in local General Plans, could help. Most important however, would be a willingness on the part of the public to live within its means.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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