A PETITION TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Proposed Large-Scale Industrial Cannabis Operation Threatens Drought-based Water Levels, Fire Protection, and Mountain Natural Environment

(NOTE: Change.org asks for donations, not us--no need to donate, just signatures, thank you)

The Santa Cruz Mountain community requests that the Board of Supervisors halt the licensing of a large-scale proposed cannabis growing operation on Old Mount Rd, Felton. This forested watershed is an example of a critical and already drought-ravaged water source for mountain homes and the San Lorenzo Valley and also supports crucial trees, plants, animals, and habitat. Such a large-scale cannabis operation, here or elsewhere in the Santa Cruz Mountains would consume inordinate amounts of precious water needed to sustain life here.

This application was pushed forward by the Planning Department with none of the environmental and water studies required by CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act. The Planning Commission stepped in and rightly and wisely DENIED the application by a vote of 4-1 on July 13, 2022--citing water shortages, the lack of environmental impact studies and the large size of the proposed operation. 

The proposed excessive water usage for the thirsty cannabis crop would take 300K-500K gallons annually of unregulated water out of the water table, and upstream of municipal capture, thereby threatening fire protection water and life-sustaining supply to mountain residents, as well as reducing city water supplies/increasing water bills at a time of unrelenting drought.  

Additionally, local neighbors have expressed strong concerns over rodent infestations, safety (given long drives for law enforcement to reach remote areas), odor, damage to dry-farmed vineyards, and road damage from water trucks (that neighbors would need to employ to overcome drying wells). 

We, the Santa Cruz Mountain residents, ask the Santa Cruz County Supervisors to uphold their responsibility to protect the County's natural resources and environment, prevent wildfires, and preserve the quality of life for our whole community by upholding the Planning Commission's decision to deny this application.