Crystal Geyser 'saddened' by lawsuit; facing a second

Crystal Geyser isn’t going anywhere.

Spokesman Alec Van Ryan said the company is “steadfastly committed to Orland and to this project.”

The comment came in response to a lawsuit filed Feb. 26 in Glenn County Superior Court asking that the Calistoga-based company be forced to complete a full environmental review before building a 112,500 square-foot sparkling mineral water bottling plant on County Road 200.

“I am saddened for the many citizens of Orland that have stood up and supported us in our effort to bring new enterprise and good job opportunities to Orland,” Van Ryan said. “Crystal Geyser has worked every step of the way with the city demonstrating our commitment as a good steward of our environment and its resources.”

The suit, filed by Friends of Orland and Gregory Appel, asserts that the city is in “violation of the California Environmental Quality Act,” because it did not require Crystal Geyser to submit an environmental impact report before approving the project.

Another lawsuit is in the works as well.

The city was notified Tuesday in a letter from Save Our Water Resources attorney Sabrina Teller of the group’s intent to sue on the same issue.

The letter reads, in part, the suit is being filed “against the city for failure to observe the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.”

City Planner Nancy Sailsbery said today a Save Our Water Resources representative informed her the papers would be filed in Glenn County Superior Court Thursday morning.

The council approved the project on Feb. 1 after the city’s Technical Advisory Committee had given its nod in December. Neither panel felt a full Environmental Impact Report was necessary.

“It’s the same issues raised at the appeal hearing and public hearing at the Technical Advisory Committee meeting don’t see anything new or novel. They are asserting the same issue that the city already addressed,” City Attorney Tom Andrews said.

“The public has a right to challenge any decision. Given the nature of concerns expressed by the public, it’s no surprise,” Andrews added.

Vice Mayor Jim Paschal also said the lawsuit was not unexpected.

“I know they're concerned about it. But our decision was made based on information from our legal counsel and trained staff,” he said.

Andrews said he expects the process through the court will be fairly swift.