Author Archives: RickLonginotti

At their April 16th 7pm meeting, the Soquel Creek Water District Board will consider asking customers to cut back on their water use by 15%. This measure is long overdue.

Check out this 6 minute video “Clear and Free” in which local artists sing in celebration of our home and watershed—and the need to take care of it. Here are the lyrics:

Dear City Council Members, Thank you for the opportunity for input on the Draft General Plan. I would like to recommend some revisions in the Draft in order to better protect the existing customers of the City of Santa Cruz … Continue reading →

I like the definition of environmental sustainability as “providing for current needs without degrading the ecosystem that will support future generations”.  We know our water use is not sustainable when saltwater is steadily intruding into the groundwater in the Pajaro … Continue reading →

I met James Bentley when he introduced himself after a forum “Desalination and the Alternatives” held at Live Oak School in March, 2010. He told me that he recently retired from the Santa Cruz Water Department, where he was Superintendent … Continue reading →

The question of whether to allow the City of Santa Cruz to grant water service to an expanded UCSC campus has consequences for endangered salmon as well as for our local economy.  A question with such consequences is not unique … Continue reading →

The Santa Cruz City Council’s passage of an ordinance to put the decision on desalination in the hands of the voters suggests that the community and City government can now move forward together to address our water challenges. The following … Continue reading →

Santa Cruz City Council Meeting Considers Water for UCSC Expansion: Feb 28, 3pm, City Hall LAFCO Meeting on UCSC Water Service Expansion: March 7, 9:30am, County Building, 5th floor Santa Cruz has bumped into its water limits. No, that’s not … Continue reading →

“We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of our time, How much is enough?” – Wendell Berry We don’t know how much money has been committed under contract on desalination studies—probably close to $20 million. … Continue reading →