Message to all members of the Sierra Sage Group of South Orange County of the Sierra Club.

 

There are two public meetings coming who which have significant interest for South Orange County folks concerned about the environment.

 

1.         The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled a public meeting on Monday, June 18, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, in San Juan Capistrano.

 

The purpose of the meeting is for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Augmented Inspection Team (AIT) to discuss the results of their recent inspection following the Unit 3 steam generator tube leak on January 31, 2012, with Southern California

Edison Company.

 

During the meeting, which is open to public observation, the NRC staff will provide a summary of the Augmented Inspection Team’s findings followed by a response

from the licensee. After a short break, the NRC staff will be available to answer questions from the public and accept comments on San Onofre-related issues. This will be the first in a series of public meetings to be held in the area to keep the public

informed on the progress of NRC inspection and oversight  activities at San Onofre.

 

---------Please note, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating System (SONGS) has had reactors 2 & 3 shut down since January 31, 2012.  reactor 1 was decommissioned several years ago so the entire plant has not been operating since then.  This is a great opportunity to get information about the safety concerns with SONGS, which could affect all of us.  Members can make an impact by just showing up and listening to the issues presented and showing our concern.

 

2.         Santa Margarita Water District Cadiz Water Project.

 

South Orange County's Santa Margarita Water District is in the process of entering into an agreement with and organization known as Cadiz, Inc.  The plan is to import 50,000 to 75,000 acre-feet of underground water from the Mojave Desert near the town of Cadiz to the Santa Margarita Water District for resale.  Since the US Geological Survey estimates that less than 10,000 acre-feet a year, in wet years, is available to recharge the aquifer, the net result will be a significant drop in the water table which support the springs the desert bighorn sheep and other wild animals require for life, not to mention residents in the area who rely on water wells for their drinking water.

 

The next SMWD Board Meeting is scheduled for 7 pm, June 27th at the Santa Margarita Water District Office, on Antonio, just south of Oso Parkway.  Your presence there to show the Board members that local residents care for the environment and demand careful scrutiny of this project so that no adverse impact is created.

 

 

Sent to members of the Sierra Sage Group of South Orange County of the Sierra Club by direction of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Sage Group.