• Donate
  • Subscribe
  • logo
  • logo
  • REGIONS
    • North County
    • Central County
    • South County
  • NEWS
    • Economy
    • Education
    • Emergencies & Disasters
    • Government
    • Health & Wellness
    • Housing & Homelessness
    • Outdoors
    • Podcasts
    • Politics & Elections
    • Safety, Security & Justice
    • Transportation
    • Water, Power & Waste
    • Youth Media
  • ARTS & CULTURE
    • Culture
    • Dance
    • Food
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Visual Arts
  • COLUMNISTS
    • Norberto Santana, Jr.
    • Anne Marie Panoringan
    • Paul Hodgins
    • Julie Leopo
  • INVOLVEMENT
    • Community Opinion
    • Press Releases
  • ABOUT
    • Mission & Values
    • Civic Engagement
    • Impact & Honors
    • Inside the Newsroom
    • Staff & Contact Us
    • Support & Partnerships
    • Archives
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
We have been your lifeline during the pandemic, economic fallout, wildfires, protests and the election. Support us today with a tax-deductible donation.
desalination

Online-Only Public Comment for Poseidon Desalination Plant Public Hearing Draws Criticism

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Huntington Beach on March 28, 2020.

By Brandon Pho | May 15, 2020
37 Shares
Share29
Tweet
Reddit8
Email

A state regional water board is drawing public criticism in Orange County for holding meetings on a controversial  desalination plant in Huntington Beach, while public participation can only be done virtually amid the coronavirus health crisis.

The Santa Ana Regional Quality Control Board is meeting this morning to hold a public hearing on Poseidon Water’s request for a permit renewal for their facility, which would be built on 12 acres of a power plant and produce 50 million gallons of water per day, according to water district staff.

The project has remained controversial for years over what critics say will be drastic environmental damage and increased water rates. The approval process for Poseidon Water’s proposal has been marked by legal disputes, permit crusades and lobbying campaigns paid for by the company.

Proponents say the project will solve local Orange County water agencies’ concerns over imported water availability from the north, as climate change brings the threat of droughts. 

A vote on the proposed permit renewal is scheduled for a Special Board meeting on July 31.

At today’s meeting, staff will talk about two issues: the need for the seawater desalination facility and the marine life mitigation plan, according to water board spokesman George Kostyrko.

Andrea Leon-Grossman of Latino environmental activist group Azul noted concern with the fact that the public comment process is essentially happening online only, and that under normal circumstances, public input would have had more of an effect if people were speaking at meetings in person.

She also expressed concern with the fact that the meeting was happening in the morning, between “9-5 hours” when many members of the public who would be impacted by a decision on the plant — namely, non-English speaking people — were out at work, or while disadvantaged communities “don’t have good WiFi access or the technology to participate.” 

“This is fairly new territory for all of us. We have to adapt to a new reality, but I just was hoping that the regional water board would understand the challenges of this new world,” she said in a Thursday phone interview.

The water board’s executive officer, Hope Smythe, said in a written statement that while the agency understands “the desire of the public community to meet in person,” it also believes that the government “needs to continue to function and the Board needs to carry out its duties.”

“Conducting board meetings via video is authorized under the applicable open meeting laws and under the Governor’s executive orders. By conducting meetings by video, the Santa Ana Water Board can continue to conduct the State’s business while ensuring that social distancing requirements are met,” she said.  

Rachele Huennekens, senior program director for social justice group Resource Media, said over the phone Thursday that while governments holding meetings over video chat is “totally reasonable,” the Poseidon desalination plant is an example of controversial issues that need to be put on hold until the public is able to get more hands-on, tangible participation. 

There is a “low-income and digital divide” among members of the public who can engage with the water board through virtual meetings, she said. “It’s such a controversial project that we don’t want this to get lost in the shuffle.”

The meeting will take place at 9:00 a.m. and will be live streamed here. Members of the public who want to make comments will be able to via the video chat software, Zoom. 

Smythe said Spanish language translation services will also be provided through zoom. Instructions on how to access the translation can be found here.

Brandon Pho is a Voice of OC staff writer and Report for America corps member. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @photherecord.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.
Become a Supporter

DISCUSSION:

Have an opinion on this story? Join the conversation... In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join the open conversation on our Facebook page. Message us via our website form or staff page. Send us a secure news tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.

ABOUT US: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

CORONAVIRUS: The latest Orange County news and information.

SUBTOPICS:
  • Countywide
  • Emergencies & Disasters
  • Government
  • Health & Wellness
  • NEWS
  • Top Stories
  • Water, Power & Waste
  • desalination
  • desalination plant
  • Healthy Communities
  • Orange County Coronavirus
  • Orange County Water
  • Poseidon Desalination Plant
  • Poseidon Water
  • Public Participation
  • Santa Ana Regional Quality Control Board
  • Virtual Government
  • Virtual Meetings
  • Water board
  • Water districts

RELATED STORIES:

  • Controversial Huntington Beach Desalination Project Faces Key Hurdle Friday

    Getting a permit from the Santa Ana regional water board would be one of the last hurdles for the Poseidon Water company to clear for its desalination project.

  • Balancing Health Safety with Participation, Santa Ana Grapples with Public Comment Policies

    Santa Ana City Council members Tuesday settled on a speaking format that will continue hearing phone-in input at the start of each session rather than the end.

Orange County's Nonprofit & Nonpartisan Newsroom

 

© Copyright 2021, Voice of OC

Voice of OC is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑