Water fight continues

The battle over a proposed sparkling mineral water bottling plant in Orland is moving forward.

Attorneys for Orland, Crystal Geyser Water Co., Save Our Water Resource and Friends of Orland will meet in telephone conference at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The case was originally assigned to be heard Sept. 3 by Glenn County Superior Court Judge Peter Twede, who recused himself Aug. 13. Glenn County Superior Court Judge Donald Byrd also recused himself.

Both judges cited affiliations with members of the groups opposing Crystal Geyser constructing a water-bottling plant as their reasons to step down from the case.

Twede will preside over Friday's meeting, during which a new hearing date will be discussed, according to City Attorney Tom Andrews.

He said even though Twede will not preside over the case, "he is still allowed to handle what are basically procedural and logistical issues."

Andrews did not say when a new judge will be appointed.

The plant and warehouse is planned for County Road 200.

Save Our Water Resources and Friends of Orland filed separate lawsuits in March, demanding a full environmental impact report.

Andrews has said the city and Crystal Geyser asked for "a judge with CEQA experience, because it is such a technical issue."

Crystal Geyser representatives have said they are proceeding with the building plans and other procedural matters on the assumption the city's approval of the project will be upheld by the courts.

The Orland Technical Advisory Committee approved the Calistoga-based company's proposal in November, after which an appeal to city council was filed.

Following the Feb. 1 appeal hearing, Orland City Council voted unanimously to uphold the Technical Advisory Committee's recommendation to allow the 112,000-square-foot bottling facility and warehouse.