The environmental impact report prepared in Siskiyou County by the city was challenged by We Advocate Through Environmental Review and Winnemem Wintu Tribe.
They claimed county officials gave a misleading report that failed to properly consider the effects of the bottling facility on the environment.
Two lawsuits were filed by the groups, one against the city and another against the county.
Crystal Geyser Water Company has a long-dormant bottling facility for water outside of Mt. Shasta, CA. The company announced in May that it would no longer pursue plans for the operation of the facility.
Liam Moriarty
Crystal Geyser pulled out of plans to open the facility last year after being under pressure from the public, and the lawsuits filed by the groups.
These judgments won’t have any real-world effects, but will serve as a precedent for future environmental reviews.
The appellate court ruling sends the case back down to lower courts. It requires the courts to specify the changes that the city or county must make to the reports in compliance with the law.
The reports must also be recirculated through the public, though their approval will not impact the bottling plants at this time.
Crystal Geyser abandoned plans to build a plant and sold the land to a California developer. The new deed includes a clause that prohibits the use the land for the bottling or distribution of water.
Both plaintiffs stated in a statement that they were happy to see victory following this drawn-out fight.
The groups state that the wins in these cases show that when we work together, we can protect our water and our environment as well as the web of living things we all depend on.
They appreciated the community’s efforts in protecting local water resources.
