The City of San Luis Obispo thinks it needs more water to accommodate future planned growth. In order to get more water, the City proposes to raise the height of the Salinas Dam by 19 feet. While that might not seem much, the scope of the project is immense. The capacity of the dam would be increased 75% from 23,843 acre feet to 41,792 acre feet. The project would result in periodic inundation of an additional 395 acres of wetlands, riparian habitat and oak woodlands, including 16,050 linear feet of stream habitat, 73 acres of pine-oak woodland containing 1639 coast live oaks, 633 blue oaks, and 198 valley oaks, for a total of 2470 oak trees, plus 469 gray pines. Also included in the periodic innundation zone are 35.6 acres of willow scrub/woodland, 3.9 acres of mixed riparian woodland, 12.2 acres of riparian forest, and degradation of 22.1 acres of riparian woodland understory owing to periodic innundation.

The area to be inundated by the raised dam and disturbed by the relocation of recreational resources contains many species of special concern, such as the Southwestern Pond Turtle and the Two-Striped Garter Snake, as well as several federally and state endangered and threatened species, including the Bald Eagle, California Condor, White-tailed Kite, American Peregrine Falcon, Least Bell’s Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, California Red-legged Frog. Although the City claims that there are no threatened Steelhead Trout below the dam, recent evidence suggests otherwise, and until the dam was built, they were abundant in the Salinas River.

In connection with the project, virtually all of the current recreational facilities surrounding the lake will be moved, with new roads to be built and considerable cut-and-fill operations to be undertaken.

In order to accommodate the increased capacity of Santa Margarita Lake, the dam will need to be substantially strengthened and the spillway will need to be armored.

Before the City can undertake the project as planned, it must obtain an extension of time to complete the beneficial use granted in its water rights permit in 1941. The State Water Resources Control Board will shortly issue its decision regarding granting the City another 10 years to complete the project.

In June 1998, the City certified a Final Environmental Impact Report. But the FEIR does not adequately address concerns about adverse impacts to habitat above and below the dam, increased seismic vulnerability because the of greatly increased volume of water to be impounded behind the dam, adverse impacts to downstream water users, and the growth-inducing effects of the added water supply. To some extent, the State Water Resources Control Board has recognized these deficiencies and is expected to order additional studies before it will grant the City an extension of time to increase the height of the dam.

The City’s Plans To Mitigate for Lost Habitat Are Inadequate and Illusory

The City recognizes that the law requires it to mitigate the detrimental impacts to the environment that the dam project will cause. However, it has not yet developed any tangible mitigation plans for the loss of riparian habitat and wetlands, and admits that any habitat restoration or creation will not reach fruition until 5 to 15 years after they are begun. The endangered and threatened species will have nowhere to be in the interim, and may be lost forever.

Although the City claims it will develop a mitigation plan that will rely on restoring and/or enhancing native habitats on nearby private lands with willing landowners, thus far no land has been contracted. Currently, the only property the City is attempting to acquire is 49 acres of steep, not-in-kind habitat out of the Salinas watershed and 15 miles from the project, property that cannot provide the habitat that will be destroyed by the project. Even worse, there is some evidence that the City in fact will attempt to avoid its obligation to replace destroyed habitat by offering monetary compensation to public or private agencies, as if money can mitigate destruction of habitat and species.

Seismic Concerns

Recently the City received a Dam Safety Evaluation Study undertaken in order to meet the requirements of the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams requirements. This report concludes that the FEIR did not accurately consider the magnitude of earthquake possible along the Rinconada fault. The study concluded that the dam will be seismically unsafe unless it is strengthened beyond the degree of strengthening contemplated in the FEIR, increasing the cost of the project by $11,000,000 or over 50%.

The City Did Not Plan To Mitigate for the Decreased Amount of Water it Would Be Releasing Downstream

Although the City claims the increased size of the dam will have no impact or only minimal impact on the river downstream, both the State Water Resources Control Board and the National Marine Fisheries Service has determined otherwise. In its draft order, the SWRCB concluded that the raised dam will contribute to the overdraft in the Paso Robles groundwater basin. The SWRCB also noted that it could not conclude that there were no Steelhead in the river below the dam or that the project would not adversely impact any steelhead that might be present.

In addition, the National Marine Fisheries Service is also concerned with the downstream impacts of even the current operation of the Dam and is requesting the SWRCB to order interim releases of water.

This Project Will Induce Growth and Development.

The stated purpose of the project is to provide the City with an additional 1650 acre feet of water per year (AFY). The City projects that it will require 3861 AFY of water by the year 2022 to meet growth projections. This project is projected to supply 43% of that anticipated need. That 1650 AFY could easily be supplied by water conservation and by buying up state water rights that are currently available. In fact, however, the project will supply an additional 2000 AFY for increased reserves, which can potentially provide for more growth than the City claims.

The FEIR projects that raising the dam will provide water to accommodate a portion of the City’s planned growth between now and 2022. The FEIR projects water need at 145 gallons of water per person per day, which would allow for 5000 additional people. However, the current water usage is 123 gallons per person per day. If current water use remains the same, the water contemplated by this project can accommodate an additional 12,000 people. If the 2000 AFY is used, then over 25,000 additional people could be accommodated.

Marge Erickson is an attorney (for 20 years) in Santa Barbara with a keen interest in environmental issue. She is a board member of the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network and volunteers legal help for local environmental organizations.

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The following is an interview with Crystal Rae, the new owner of the Rocky Canyon Feed Store in Atascadero, whose strong focus is sustainability and Permaculture.

HopeDance: Crystal, how did you discover our beautiful area?

Crystal: I had attended a Permaculture class last summer in Half Moon Bay and was looking for a Permaculture guild to be a part of. That course exposed me to many wonderful people and various projects. Right after the course, I was contemplating Cal Poly and some other possible projects including an apothecary and restaurant. The land was very expensive around Half Moon Bay where I wanted it located so I started to look at the Cal Poly alternative. I stayed in touch with some of the ÔCentral Coast' people I had met at the course. Rob Kimmell and Karyn offered a place to stay while Emilio and I looked to relocate. One night around the dinner table, Rob mentioned an old feed store he knew was for sale. That night my wheels spun of the possibilities of bridging Permaculture with a feed store. The next day we went and met with the owner who was wanting to retire. He enjoyed our enthusiasm and was most grateful we had come along. (He claimed God had sent us to him.) We worked out the details and a few days just before Christmas we were on our way to creating a Permaculture store front.

So, tell us a little bit about the Feed Store?

Rocky Canyon is an old fashioned country feed store. We carry a full line of livestock feed, milled locally in King City since 1938 by L.A. Hearne Co. To help people take control of their animals' medicinal needs we carry vet quality, do-it-yourself livestock and pet vaccines, wormers and flea control. We also carry breeds of egg laying chicks and turkeys. We have a Rabbitry which includes both pet and meat breeds. As a Permaculture model we are building worm beds underneath the cages and will be selling the fertilizer and worms in the future.

The previous owner, Dee, had served a diverse community including many Ôelders' that still enjoy Ôthe old ways,' primitive skills such as archery, muzzle loading and tanning hides. This was strange to us at first but we decided we would still help them get their supplies. Since we are part of a diverse community we felt it was important to keep a dialogue going with every type of people. They love to come in and chat. I started to see what we had in common. They are very caring people and adhere to voluntary simplicity as well. Since I had assured them I would keep up the supplies they were used to getting, they have been coming back and showing interest in our new inventory.

What is your new inventory?

We have been expanding our inventory by becoming distributors for Photocomm, and Alternative Energy. This gives us access to many great products such as solar panels, solar water pumping, inverters, composting toilets, Sunfrost refrigerators, propane refrigerators, solar cookers and even solar lanterns. We also can get solar kits for your lap top computer and cell phone. Why pay for batteries when the sun is free?

We are working on all the proper permits with the Dept. of Ag. so we can start selling heirloom seeds in bulk as well as start a plant nursery. We want to be able to offer many of the plants useful in a Permaculture landscape including harder to find medicinal plants.

We are encouraging cottage industries to utilize our store front. Currently, we sell local, farm fresh eggs. We would love to sell locally made goat cheese, aromatherapy, and tools for example. We would love to offer many locally made products such as raptor and bird houses, and other useful items.

What is your current clientele like?

One of the most common things I have noticed about our customers is that people are striving for voluntary simplicity and are looking for resources and education. Most want to raise their own food including meat, but lack the time to find the right book and read it. They are very interested in learning. In response, we are hosting many classes and events.

Any special events that we should take note of?

Well the first ones are in direct response to our current clients interests. Many of them have expressed they take camping trips and are interested in the old Dutch Oven and cast iron cookware. So, in keeping with a tradition Dee had started, we will be kicking off our series of events with the Dutch Oven Cook- Off Saturday, May 9th. I was surprised to see the number of people who take it seriously. We will have three divisions: Dutch Oven Chef, Campfire Cook and Juniors for 16 and under. Several Boy Scout troops will be participating! We are offering some great prizes as well as a chance to win prizes every hour with a raffle that will be broadcast live over a local radio station. The Cook-Off will include exhibits as well as educational opportunities. I will be demonstrating a solar cooker that I am making as well as providing several people to talk about Permaculture, chicken tractors and the benefit of red worms. Local naturalist Joe Dabill will be demonstrating primitive skills as well as primitive archery history. We will have an animal nutritionist on hand to answer any questions you might have about your animals nutritional needs. Since we are also a Ôpet' store I have also included an Adopt-A-Pet group to remind people that pets aren't simply cute fuzzy Ôtoys'. They oftentimes get neglected in our busy lives. So, I want to remind people to please be responsible and have them fixed because there are 3 cats for every person on this planet according to the latest humane society statistics!!

Secondly, many people in the neighborhood expressed that they would like to have a swap meet in our big parking lot. So we have scheduled a swap meet for Saturday, May 16th. It will be very big! Many useful tools and items, not nic nacs.

May 30, we will be hosting a Primitive Skills class. This includes a local plant walk, learning about which ones the Chumash Indians used and for what. You'll collect some plants and learn to make a few ropes or twine. The class also includes primitive fire making skills and flint knapping of obsidian.

We also are in the process of scheduling classes for basketry making, making a solar stovetop, making a chicken tractor, Permaculture techniques, animal nutrition and primitive archery where you'll learn to make a primitive bow. If people are interested in teaching something here at Rocky Canyon, just give us a call at 466-2510.

Can you give people some limited general directions?

Hwy 101 to the Curbaril exit. Go East to the steel bridge. Go right towards the grain silo. We are located behind the grain silo on Rocky Canyon Road in Atascasdero.