Speak Out On Location of PQ Water Plant

by Scott Peters
for the Corridor News
June 2002

On April 25, 2002 I joined members of the Rancho Penasquitos Community to testify before the San Diego County Water Authority in support of the community's desire for the County Water Authority to build a pressure control and hydroelectric facility in an area at the I-15 and Mercy road across from Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The community activism on this issue has brought together residents from diverse communities to fight against a facility that can easily be put into a location that will not impact the quality of life for residents of Mira Mesa or Rancho Penasquitos. I am proud of the way both communities have come together on this issue, protecting each other's interests.

As many of you know, the County Water Authority (CWA) has proposed building a pressure control and hydroelectric facility in the Rancho Peñasquitos area as part of the larger San Vicinte Pipeline Project. The new 30' high x 70' wide x 110' long facility will help to provide water during both normal operations and emergency conditions. The pipeline will connect to larger water pipes already installed in the CWA easement, which cut through portions of Rancho Peñasquitos.

Initially, the CWA planned to construct the new facility on it's easement off of Mercy Road, between Kika Court and Branicole Lane in Council District 5 ( Site 1). The structure would have been less than 150 feet from a residential community and immediately adjacent to the backyards of many of homes. Strong opposition to the initial site from residents of Mira Mesa and Rancho Penasquitos forced the CWA board to initiate an environmental impact report (EIR) to evaluate the initial site as well as three alternatives. Site 2 is located at the intersection of Alemania Road and Mercy Road across the street from the new Chevron gas station and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Site number 3 is located immediately adjacent to Ridgewood Park in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, and site number 4 is located within the Canyon Hills Resource-based Park atop a mesa on Miramar Hill immediately south of Mercy Road.

The EIR evaluated several factors for each site, including biology, noise, aesthetics, hydrology and water quality. After an evaluation of all four sites, the EIR determined the Ridgewood Park site was the "environmentally superior site" for the facility. This despite it's close proximity to a quiet residential neighborhood, a community park, and it's location in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

On April 23rd and again on the 25th, I testified with hundreds of community members before the CWA land use and environmental subcommittee in support of the community's desire to build the facility at site number 2.

Although much effort has been expended to convince the CWA board to construct the facility at site number 2, the battle is not yet won. New cost estimates now show that construction of the facility at site number 1 is five to six million dollars cheaper than construction of the facility at the other three sites. The board will be taking cost, the findings of the EIR, engineering feasibility, and community response into consideration when rendering their final decision on June 27th. Therefore, it is important for residents to educate themselves about the project and to voice their support for construction of the facility at the site that makes the most sense, site number 2.

Although the public comment period to the draft EIR closed May 1, letters may still be sent to the CWA board at 4677 Overland Avenue, San Diego, California, 92123. I urge you to voice your concerns and to join me at the June 27th board meeting at 3:00 pm at the CWA headquaters. I need your help to protect the quality of life in Rancho Penasquitos.