Court Rules Against Nestle Waters: Small, Historic Mill Town Wins Battle to Save Pristine Waters from Corporate Profiteering
A superior court decision in Siskiyou County was granted against the attempt of the unincorporated town's special district to contract a deal with Nestle Waters for a massive water bottling plant in the small historic mill town of McCloud, CA. The Superior Court ruling on March 21, 2005 confirms the belief of many McCloud citizens that Nestle and the McCloud Service District were negligent and in violation of state law when they finalized their contract in the absence of public review or support.
(PRWEB) March 29, 2005 -- The McCloud Watershed Council (MWC) is pleased to
announce that the Siskiyou County Superior Court has granted the Petition
against the McCloud Community Service District (MCSD) requesting that the
contract with Nestle Waters of North America (NWNA) be set aside due to
non-compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
In
his ruling, Superior Court Judge Roger Kosel agreed with the plaintiff that,
"...the agreement constitutes an initial and integral stage of the proposed
project". He also criticized the McCloud Service District for "...divesting
itself of any modicum of control over the compliance process.." and for their
"...abuse of discretion..." for not proceeding with CEQA compliance prior to
approval of the agreement.
This ruling confirms the belief of many
McCloud Citizens that Nestle and the MCSD were negligent and in violation of
state law when they finalized their contract in the absence of public review or
support.
The McCloud Watershed Council will continue to work to ensure
that the democratic process and state and federal law is upheld in any further
action taken by the district regarding McCloud's water resources. The McCloud
Watershed Council will also remain diligent as a watchdog organization
concerning any further attempt on the part of Nestle to obtain rights to
McCloud's water resources. Most importantly, the MWC is committed to ensuring
that the vital resources of the McCloud watershed are protected from
profiteering and remain under local and regional control. For more information:
www.mccloudwater.com
About McCloud Watershed
Council:
The McCloud Watershed Council was formed as a grassroots response to
an unprecedented plan by Nestle Waters of North America to appropriate and sell
millions of gallons of water belonging to the small historic mill town of
McCloud, California.
On September 29, 2003, with virtually no public
input, the five member board of directors of the McCloud Community Services
District signed a 100 year contract on behalf of their approx. 1400
constituents. The contract entitles Nestle to 1600 acre feet per year of our
pristine, spring fed public water supply on Mount Shasta.
For more
information on the contract and the devastating impacts of the proposed one
million square foot water bottling plant in McCloud, please go to:
www.mccloudwater.com
Press Contacts:
Lori
Vance
530-964-2050
Richard McFarland
530-941-3692
Debra
Anderson
530-345-5603
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb222855.htm