Desal decision appeals to all

It was certainly no big surprise that the California Coastal Commission earlier this month voted to hear appeals of the proposed Poseidon desalination plant. What may be a surprise is that the commission’s decision is one that both sides of this bitter debate should welcome. The reason? Once the commission goes through its evaluation of the $250-million project planned for a spot next to the AES power plant, the losing side will be hard-pressed to say it did not get a chance to lay out its case ? numerous times. And the winning side will be able to claim victory, saying that the process has worked.

Such a conclusion may be an idealistic vision of what’s to come ? lawsuits concerning Coastal Commission decisions are routine, and the validity of the commission itself has been the subject of court challenges over the years. And perhaps given the nastiness of this fight, it is too much to hope for accord at its conclusion ? but what if both sides are willing to abide by the Coastal Commission’s decision, are willing to agree to bow to whatever the commission decides? Perhaps the city would be able to move quickly past this divide ? as it wasn’t able to in the Bolsa Chica case, for instance ? as the players in this argument work together with whatever the outcome is.

Of course, there will be arguments that the Bolsa Chica debate needed to drag on to reach the accord it finally achieved. But is that the case with Poseidon? Surely, both sides are confident enough in their arguments that they are willing to risk an all-or-nothing play before the Coastal Commission. If they aren’t, probably they should admit it now and save the commission and everyone involved in the debate the time and trouble.

Finally, let us repeat that there is much to be said for the desalination proposal. But none of the positives ? some $2 million per year in tax revenue, promises of 3 million gallons of water from the plant at competitive rates ? outweighs the central and overriding problem with the plan: Southeast Huntington Beach already has too much industry. Adding more is unfair to that part of the community.

Now, it is for the Coastal Commission to decide if that is the case.