NEWS RELEASE CONTACTS: For Immediate Release Thursday March 20, 2008 CONSERVATION GROUP SUES GOLETA WATER DISTRICT FOR GAVIOTA LAND ANNEXATION WITHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWSanta Barbara -- The Gaviota Coast Conservancy filed suit against the Goleta Water District in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Monday March 17 over the Water District’s failure to comply with CEQA before moving to annex 26 Gaviota Coast parcels into the Goleta Water District. An Orange County developer, Makar Properties LLC, has proposed building 2 luxury houses (and assorted other buildings) on two large agricultural parcels about one-half mile west of the Bacara. The County is processing applications for these houses. Makar also owns 25 lots in the antiquated Naples subdivision. Makar’s lands were previously proposed for the Dos Pueblos Golf Links Project in the 1990’s. The developer asked the Goleta Water District to annex these lands as part of their residential development proposal, making the District the “Lead Agency” for CEQA purposes. The District did not perform any environmental review for the annexation of the residential development, improperly relying on the 1993 Golf Course EIR. “Annexation is the first step in the development process, and CEQA requires that environmental review be performed before agencies begin the approval process, including annexation” explained Gaviota Coast Conservancy President Mike Lunsford. “The Water District initiated the annexation process prematurely and without benefit of an EIR. The decision to extend urban water services to undeveloped Gaviota Coast lands for bluff-top mansions on agricultural lands has significant consequences for the future of the Gaviota Coast. Monday was the deadline for a CEQA challenge to the District’s annexation application. The Conservancy felt it had to step up and stop the premature decision to provide urban water service to these parcels on the Gaviota Coast.” The lawsuit seeks a court order enjoining the District from pursuing the annexation until it complies with CEQA. The unique and irreplaceable nature of the Gaviota Coast demands complete adherence to CEQA and applicable land use policies. The Water District cannot approve extension of services without first considering the impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives as required by CEQA. The Gaviota Coast Conservancy is represented by the Law Office of Marc Chytilo. About The Gaviota Coast Conservancy:The Gaviota Coast Conservancy is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the permanent protection of the Gaviota Coast's unique natural, scenic, agricultural, recreational, and cultural resources. Working through partnerships with other land conservation organizations, local landowners, resource agencies, and government entities, the Conservancy is promoting long-term strategies to protect the Gaviota Coast from the rapid urban expansion that threatens this region. For more information, visit the GCC website, www.gaviotacoastconservancy.org. ###
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