Page 2 – Survivor: Mammoth Lakes

“It feels like we’re on the last episode of Survivor: Mammoth Lakes,” quipped Mayor Pro-Tem Bacon at Wednesday night’s Town Council meeting in Suite Z.

Bacon, who became Mayor once new Council members John Wentworth, Colin Fernie and Shields Richardson were sworn in, praised outgoing Council members Rick Wood, John Eastman and Matthew Lehman.

“You have to realize that John re-upped, knowing exactly what was going on and what he was going to have to get into: to deal with the settlement and bankruptcy and all that … Rick threw his hat back in the ring after walking away from Council [eight years ago] and saying never again, and Matthew walked up there not having any idea what he was getting into. What we ended up with was an incredible Council.”

Both Rick Wood and John Eastman thanked their wives and family for years of support. “We could not serve if it wasn’t for out wives, and the support we got from our wives and our families,” Eastman said.

Sincerity dispensed with, Eastman got off a quip directed at the new Council members, warning Colin Fernie and Shields Richardson that, “John Wentworth is probably going to be a little high maintenance with staff.”

In all seriousness, Eastman added, “I’m very excited with the results of the election. This could create the best Town Council we’ve ever had.”

Eastman also offered the most colorful analogy during the night’s alternate praising and roasting session. “I look at Rick Wood as kind of like my high school girlfriend,” he said. “One month we’re the best girlfriend and boyfriend, and the next month we’re enemies … Rick and I have more drama between us than a high school [couple].”

“You weren’t my girlfriend,” Wood countered, “you were kind of like my teacher.” Wood complemented Eastman for his “stability, experience … he’s quintessential Mammoth.”

“We’re losing a lot,” Mayor Bacon agreed, noting that Eastman has been a public servant to the Town for 28 years.

Meanwhile Wood offered praise for Matthew Lehman, from one former Mayor to another. “Only those who sit in this center chair know what it is to sit in this center chair,” he said. “It takes a lot of sacrifice and skill … I saw a level of commitment from somebody who’s been on Council for only a couple years.”

Mammoth Lakes Wildlife Specialist Steve Searles was one of several audience members to approach the microphone, but chose to praise rather than roast. He alluded to the outgoing Council’s participation in the Mammoth Leadership Group, and some of the members of Mammoth Forum.

Time to leave the island: (L-R) outgoing Councilmembers John Eastman, Rick Wood and Matthew Lehman can start writing Fernie, Richardson and Wentworth jokes.

“I think we worked harder on the election than some of the candidates,” he said. “Being friends with you guys, I know that each every one of you was laboring the point to pull papers on time to represent our community. That’s a hell of a thing. All the crap that we’ve been through, all the names you’ve been called, all the mud-slinging … ‘Old Man Eastman,’ ‘Matthew Lehman, the developer whore,’ Rick Wood … the attorney jokes are too easy … You were willing to step up and represent our community.

“[These Councilmembers] never did a single thing that was mean-spirited, ill-willed or against our community. Thank you for your service.”

Concluded Mayor Bacon of the new Councilmembers: “Now the four-year long roast begins.”

–Vane

Congressmembers voice Ormat concerns, Ormat responds

Mammoth Community Water District (MCWD) this week released letters from Representatives Paul Cook (R, CA-8) and John Garamendi (D, CA-3) addressing MCWD’s concerns and those of some local community members regarding the proposed Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Energy Project (Casa Diablo IV), which MCWD contends could impact the town’s water supply.

MCWD alleges the project, owned by Ormat Technologies Inc., will pump 29,000 acre-feet of hot water from below the cold groundwater zone. Mammoth taps this cold aquifer to fulfill the community’s water supply needs, which are being monitored closely in light of California’s recent statewide drought.

“I am a strong advocate of renewable energy. However, in the face of California’s serious drought, I want to ensure that our communities have safe and adequate water,” Cook said. “My past experience with water projects underscores the importance of an adequate groundwater monitoring and mitigation plan.”

Garamendi also weighed in. “I continue to care deeply for the region that I represented for 16 years in the State Legislature. I will use your information in the letter to raise questions regarding the project. The questions that need to be asked are ‘What ongoing procedures need to be in place to protect the community’s water supply?’ and ‘If there is a threat, what mitigation measures will be taken?’”

MCWD aruges that the Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) was processed too swiftly and that the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service failed to adequately evaluate the project relative to MCWD’s groundwater supply, and provide a suitable monitoring and mitigation plan to address any issues and potential impacts to hydrological systems that provide water to the residents of Mammoth.

Cook echoed MCWD’s concerns about the accuracy of the EIS/EIR’s assertion that the proposed Casa Diablo IV project will not affect MCWD’s groundwater wells, and that no chemicals would be released by the project into the groundwater and surface water.

ORMAT responded to the congressional comments, telling The Sheet Thursday, “The MCWD continues to mischaracterize the CD IV project fundamental details in order to incite alarm. The project does not propose to pump 29,000 acre feet. In order to get to this number you have to add in the existing facilities at Casa Diablo, 3 miles from town, that have been operating, without any hydrological impact, for more than 22 years.

“Ormat currently produces and injects 12,000 gallons per minute (19,000 acre-feet/year) for the existing power plant operations at Casa Diablo. Two wells in the Basalt Canyon area near Shady Rest Park have been producing since July 2006 and supply 6,000 gpm (9,600 AF) of this production. All of this fluid is injected back into the geothermal reservoir. This geothermal project does not consume the water.

“In 30-years of operation and eight years of production, there has never been any identified effect on the MCWD’s water supply.” Ormat said it has been working with the BLM, USFS, and Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, along with the MCWD, to address the MCWD’s concerns.

“The press release indicates that there is no substantial monitoring or response plan,” Ormat said. “Ormat has committed to mitigation that includes curtailing production up to and including shutting down the facilities. Ormat will spend nearly $400,000 in new monitoring wells and has been spending nearly $100,000 a year for the past two decades monitoring hydrological data in the Long Valley Caldera, specifically looking for impacts from our operations.”

Ormat also countered that “the proposed CD IV project environmental analysis under both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was not a rapidly processed (EIS/EIR).” Ormat submitted the permit applications to the agencies in February 2010. The Final EIS/EIR, which is the Response to Comments and included comments from the MCWD and its consultants, was issued July 5, 2013. BLM and USFS issued their respective Records of Decision in August 2013.

As for how much land MCWD claimed Ormat owns (10,000 acres), Ormat said it has leases with the BLM throughout the Long Valley Caldera (a 200 square mile geologic feature). “Current production and the CD IV project encompass only 2,000 acres which is not all used for the projects,” Ormat said. “There have been no detrimental effects to Mono County from Casa Diablo. This renewable energy project has contributed considerable value to the Mammoth Lakes community, including a reliable local electrical supply, and looks forward to contributing for years to come.”

–Geisel