Crystal Geyser plant approved by Orland City Council
The Orland City Council unanimously approved the proposed Crystal Geyser sparkling water bottling plant Monday night over the objections of opponents who sought an environmental impact report on the project before it moved forward.
Following a five-hour hearing ending near midnight, the council voted to reject an appeal of the city's Technical Advisory Committee's approval of the proposed plant at its Dec. 16 meeting.
Members of the group Save Our Water Resources appealed the TAC committee's decision, saying an EIR is necessary to gauge impacts on the groundwater table and traffic and noise problems. They were joined in a separate appeal by the Orland residents Gregory Appel and Matt Vereschagin, who called themselves Friends of Orland.
Opponents also are concerned about a nearby PCE-contaminated plume from an Orland dry cleaners even though city and state officials suggest it would not be a problem.
Crystal Geyser is proposing to pump 160 acre feet of water per year at the plant which would be built on an industrial-zoned parcel on Road 200.
Attorneys for the groups said an EIR was necessary because "common sense" suggests there is no way the project would not have impacts on the neighbors, and mitigation measures proposed for the plant indicated city staff is aware of potential problems.
Crystal Geyser representatives did a presentation on the plant, suggesting their tests of the groundwater aquifer, noise models and other research proved there would be no adverse impacts on the community.
Councilman Bruce Roundy said, "I have to look at the facts in front of me" and there is nothing to indicate the plant would drain the water table or cause serious problems based on the research he had done and his discussions with local and state officials on the project.
The hearing brought not only opponents but Crystal Geyser supporters out to speak their mind in a packed and overflowing Carnegie Center.
Opponents included representatives from the Butte Environmental Council and the Sierra Club who came to support SOWR.
The Chico-based organizations are concerned about regional water impacts, representatives said, which is why they became involved.
However, Roundy said regional issues were beyond the city council's scope. "We have to deal with things that impact Orland," Roundy said.
Orland resident Bob Bishop provided a recording of a so-called "chiller" machine taken at a water bottling plant near Mount Shasta.
Bishop warned the noise could impact nearby proposed subdivisions where 800 homes are planned within a one-mile radius of the plant.
"People will not want to buy these homes," he said. "Noise does not stop at boundary lines."
Geyser consultants and others countered that equipment is much quieter now than the one Bishop recorded and the company would take steps to minimize noise levels and would follow city noise codes.
Local plant supporters included businessman Ben Kraemer, who urged the council to approve the project rather than let it move to locations in Willows or Corning as other companies have done in the past as jobs are important.
His wife, Nancy Kraemer, said she spoke for supporters who were afraid to comment because of the emotional response from neighbors.
Farmer Mike Vereschagin said the Stony Creek Aquifer is "leaky" anyway and the plant would not impact it this time of year.
Before the vote, Roundy suggested the company look at other approved truck routes to avoid congestion on Pabst Avenue; Geyser representatives said they would consider any route the city suggested.
Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com
