Why we believe
the proposed Laetitia housing development must be stopped:1.
WATER - Laetitia has not adequately demonstrated that there is a sustainable water supply available to supply 102 one acre home sites. A conservative estimate of 102,000 gallons of water will be used every day! This is especially worrisome since some of the surrounding wells in this area are already going dry. Wells tapping onto fractured shale can be very unpredictable and are prone to suddenly going dry.
Click here to read about how the Laetitia plan for water supply is probably not sustainable. An independent
hydrogeologic study has recently challenged the Laetitia
sponsored water study and has stated the the ability of the fractured
shale bedrock aquifer to recharge Laetitia's wells are "significantly
less than the long term project demand estimate".
Click here to read about the water problems we are currently experiencing. We believe that it is reckless and irresponsible behavior to drill and pump more water especially during the
"Severe Drought" conditions, as deemed by NOAA. After studying the Laetitia proposal an
expert hydrogeologist has stated, "
The volume of groundwater in storage is very small given the limited
extent of the bedrock aquifers and that amount cannot be used as a
component of sustainable supply."2.
TRAFFIC - Our narrow country roads cannot handle the increased traffic that will generated on the Sheehy - Dana Foothill- Upper Los Berros entrance. A conservative estimate of
1,000 vehicle trips every day will take place on our rural r♦oads that were never designed to handle this type of traffic load. To widen the roads would destroy the rural atmosphere of the Nipomo Hills and would require the County to condemn private property, thus infringing on the neighbors' property rights.
Read more about the traffic issues.
3.
ENVIRONMENT - The Los Berros Creek is a sensitive riparian environment that supports such endangered species as Steelhead Trout, the California Red-legged Frog, the Coast Range Newt, and the Western Pond Turtle. It is our belief that irreparable damage will be done to the delicate ecology of this beautiful canyon. Another concern is the chance of polluted run-off water entering Los Berros Creek.
Click here for more information on environmental damage.
4.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT - It s feared that future development of the "open space" will further damage the environment and jeopardize the water supply for the Nipomo Hills. The County allows additional farming, farm buildings, and farm worker residences on agricultural open space. Laetitia is also planning on and additional 75 room "dude ranch", community center, swimming pool, common landscaped areas, and who knows what else. By definition, the county allows future agricultural buildings and farm worker residences to be built on "open space." This further stresses a very limited water supply and creates even more traffic through a very precious and beautiful rural canyon.
5.
OAKS - The Draft EIR calls for the destruction of 300 mature oak trees. What further irreversible damage will be done by the bulldozers scarring the hills to prepare these 102 lots?
6.
SEWAGE - Laetitia is also proposing a sewage treatment plant with two settling ponds. Have the effects of odor, unsightly views, ground water pollution, and run-off into the creek been thoroughly addressed? These sewage settling ponds would be located dangerously close to Los Berros Creek and several neighboring residences.
