HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-11383 approving participation in the SLO County Regional Desalination Executable Solution and Logistics (DESAL) PlanR 11383
RESOLUTION NO. 11383 (2023 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
PARTICIPATION IN THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY REGIONAL
DESALINATION EXECUTABLE SOLUTION AND LOGISTICS (DESAL)
PLAN
WHEREAS, adequate water for the people, economy, and environment in San
Luis Obispo County, including the City of San Luis Obispo, is needed in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS, limitations surrounding use of the existing water supplies are
increasing in the San Luis Obispo region, including limitations on groundwater use and
transfers, limitations on surface water diversion, emergence of existing pollutant
awareness, and State policies that lead to water system consolidation mandates; and
WHEREAS, water use efficiency practices, low impact development, stormwater
capture and recycled water programs have been implemented to help extend the limited
water supplies but are insufficient to overcome regional long-term shortages and cannot
be relied upon to sustainably meet future additional needs and maintain a reasonable
quality of life in the San Luis Obispo region; and
WHEREAS, despite Statewide conservation efforts which have reduced per capita
consumption from 231 gallons per day to 146 gallons per day over the last 25 years in
California1, and the City of San Luis Obispo’s current per capita water use rate is 97
gallons per day, San Luis Obispo County remains highly vulnerable to water shortages
due to its isolated location and dependence on rainfall; and
WHEREAS, the future reliability of existing water supplies and infrastructure that
depend on rainfall, such as groundwater and surface water reservoirs and streams, will
be affected by changing hydrologic patterns, land use, environmental regulations,
population growth, and aging infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, water-purveying agencies in the County of San Luis Obispo, including
the City of San Luis Obispo, are best positioned to develop and utilize water supply
projects that will reduce dependence on groundwater and surface water; and
WHEREAS, due to proximity to the ocean, and future water supply quantity,
quality, and reliability needs, the 2019 San Luis Obispo County Integrated Regional Water
Management Plan and 2012 Countywide Master Water Report identify desalination as a
water resource management strategy to pursue; and
WHEREAS, while desalination can provide a local and reliable water supply for
decades to come, desalination projects take a long time to plan for, permit, finance, and
construct; and
1 https://www.ppic.org/publication/water-use-in-california/
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WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District intends to develop the DESAL Plan over the next several years via a public
process that, when complete, will ultimately contain balanced recommendations related
to responsibly advancing the implementation of a regional desalination project that will
benefit the people, economy and environment in the County, including the City of San
Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District will be the lead agency and contract administrator for the DESAL Plan and is
requesting that water-purveying agencies that wish to be evaluate this source during the
development of the DESAL Plan adopt resolutions approving participation; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo’s participation enables the County of San
Luis Obispo to include the City of San Luis Obispo as a potential partner in the planning,
evaluation, and development of the regional DESAL Plan, and any future commitments
and actions by the City beyond participation in the development of the DESAL Plan would
be subject to the full and independent discretion of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo’s participation in the development of the
regional DESAL Plan is consistent with General Plan Water and Wastewater Element
Goal A.2.1 to “ensure a long-term, reliable water supply to meet both current and future
water demand associated with development envisioned by the General Plan” and Policy
A.2.2.1 (Multi-source Water Supply), which states that the “City shall utilize multiple water
resources to meet its water supply needs” because the purpose of the DESAL Plan is to
provide a local, reliable, and sustainable water supply for the San Luis Obispo region
including the City of San Luis Obispo; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo’s participation in the development of the
regional DESAL Plan is consistent with General Plan Water and Wastewater Element
Program A.2.3.1 to “work cooperatively on regional water issues and water resource
planning.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as that:
SECTION 1. The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to be included in the
development of the DESAL Plan and to be evaluated as a potential partner in such a
regional desalination project in the future in order to inform our decision makers and
constituents.
SECTION 2. The Utilities Director, or their designee, of the City of San Luis Obispo
is hereby authorized and directed to participate in the development of the DESAL Plan,
and to bring forward related recommendations for City Council consideration. This action
does not authorize any funding towards preparation of the DESAL Plan.
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SECTION 3. Environmental Determination. The subject action is statutorily
exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies), because the action is limited
to the City’s participation in planning and evaluation efforts associated with the
development of the DESAL Plan and would not result in any physical change to the
environment, does not commit any funds to any physical improvements or investments,
and does not create any new water supplies for the City or region that are known at this
time that could reasonably and foreseeably induce growth.
Upon motion of Council Member Pease, seconded by Council Member
Shoresman, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Francis, Pease, Shoresman, and Mayor Stewart
NOES: Vice Mayor Marx
ABSENT: None
The foregoing resolution was adopted this 10th day of January 2023.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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1/12/2023 | 10:45 AM PST