Orland to Crystal Geyser: Let it flow

The Orland City Council unanimously approved the proposed Crystal Geyser sparkling water bottle plant Monday over the objections of opponents who sought an environmental impact report on the project before it moved forward.

Following a five-hour hearing, 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, contending that 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.

In the end, 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 the local and state officials he had discussed issues with on the project.