posted 03-21-2002 07:49 AM            

THE SEA RANCH -- A somber standing-room-only crowd listened attentively Saturday to new details about a precedent-setting plan to capture winter runoff from the Gualala and Albion rivers, and pump it into giant baggies for sale in San Diego.

The meeting room grew quiet as a top state official said local needs and environmental concerns will be addressed during what's sure to be a long and costly review of the export plan, but state policy is to give thirsty municipalities top priority in management of the state's water.

"It is the clear intent of the Legislature to put the state's water resources to their best use," said Ed Anton, director of water rights for the state Water Resources Control Board.

As Alaska entrepreneur Ric Davidge outlined in more detail his plans to tap the two Mendocino County rivers for an emerging "water market," expressions in the crowd of about 200 people ranged from bemusement to outrage.

Among the details:

While the location of underground diversion sites is still being studied, the system envisions a "giant straw" carrying fresh water into the ocean to a point where it would be pumped into giant poly-fiber bags.

About 14.7 million gallons of water would be transported during each of nine round trips a week during the rainy season between the Mendocino Coast and San Diego.

Adapting new techniques used by fishing fleets, Davidge's World Water SA has developed bags 100 feet wide, 800 feet long and 25 feet deep to carry enough water to supply at least 40,000 homes for one year.

The bags would be tethered to offshore buoys, and manned around the clock during the pumping operations.

Strict guidelines set up for the special forum allowed for no public debate.

It was restricted to exactly two hours. As a result, people confined their remarks to polite whispers among themselves, and to written comments on file cards that were passed around. Only a few questions were fielded from a 2-inch-thick stack of cards submitted to Davidge and Anton before the end of the forum.

Moderator Jim Jordan acknowledged the export plan has sparked an outcry but implored the crowd to contain their emotions and learn as many details as possible. "There's lot of time for debate. Today, let's try to be objective, and patient."

Before the meeting, about 50 demonstrators gathered at the Highway 1 bridge over the Gualala River, parading with signs to the honks and cheers of passing motorists.

"This is only the beginning," Albion resident Linda Perkins said. "We will not allow anyone to drain our rivers to benefit greedy corporations and urban consumers."

Davidge acknowledged that he was in hostile territory, but said he chose to come face the critics because "local communities need to know we do care."

He said World Water is a consortium of global investors, including the world's biggest shipping company and a Saudi financier. It proposes to install cisterns in the beds of the Gualala and Albion rivers, tapping seasonal flows that the company contends otherwise run untapped into the ocean.

The crowd's quiet skepticism showed throughout Davidge's description of a process he called the most ecologically sound of all alternative water supply methods, including desalination.

During a break in the presentation, Mendocino County Supervisor David Colfax said he had more questions than answers. "He keeps talking about the science involved, but I'd like to see some documentation," said Colfax, who led a move to pass a resolution opposing the plan.

Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Reilly said nothing he had heard changed his mind.

Noting his board's 5-0 vote to oppose the plan, he said, "That kind of unanimity is as unusual for us as it is Mendocino."

Reilly, a member of the state Coastal Commission, said that agency has notified Davidge that its review and approval are needed. "I'm not sure they understand the level of concern and the degree of scrutiny this plan is going to get."

Others walked away from Saturday's forum unconvinced that local water should be tapped and traded in the marketplace as a commodity, even if it means helping fellow Californians who face shortages.

"When people in San Diego empty their swimming pools and close down the golf courses, then maybe I'll take some of this seriously," Sea Ranch resident Ursula Jones said.

Randy Kolosick, a Point Arena resident, said nothing he heard had changed his mind. "In fact, I feel stronger than ever about trying to block this crazy idea," Kolosick said.

During his presentation, Davidge said the distrust and emotion surrounding his project were expected.

"One of my engineers asked me if I had any idea of the political nature of the place where we decided to file for water rights," Davidge said.

posted 03-22-2002 12:51 AM            

Understatement of the year -
"I understand water is a very emotional issue, much more than land itself."