Water is a finite resource.  We can no longer expect to import an ever-increasing supply from other watersheds or develop major new facilities, such as energy-intensive and costly desalination, to fill the gap between supply and demand.  Marin Conservation League continues to support conservation and efficient water use as the most environmentally responsive and least expensive means of securing water supply and managing demand.  Desalination should not be adopted as a necessary source of supplemental supply for the near term, or at least not until such time as renewable energy sources are secured to mitigate fully its significant energy consumption and related greenhouse gas impacts.

MCL has endorsed the Marin Municipal Water District's ballot initiative to require a public vote before construction of a desalination plant, and opposes a competing measure that would require a public vote on desalination but would also prohibit the water district from any steps related to planning for desalination. The MCL board of directors believes that the elected water board should not be prohibited from being able to research any water supply option and that at some time new technologies could make a further study of desalination a prudent step.

2009 Documents and Correspondence

• August 19, 2009, MCL letter to MMWD reiterating the League's position on water supply

• December 1, 2008, MCL comment letter to MMWD on the desal FEIR
• March 27, 2008, MCL comment letter to MMWD on the desal DEIR