After reading the final environmental impact report and the staff recommendation regarding the ERG application for expanded oil development in Cat Canyon, I spoke with Mr. Errin Briggs, the energy specialist in the Santa Barbara County Planning and Development Department. Our conversation was enlightening and troubling.
First of all, the consultant that provided the analysis for the county’s reports was selected and paid by the oil company seeking the permit. In the interest of maintaining at least an appearance of impartiality, this is simply unsupportable.
The other dismaying reality that was obvious from our conversation is that this Planning and Development Department primarily sees these matters from the viewpoint of the oil companies. If an area has been historically zoned for oil development, then, case closed—that’s what should happen now and into the future, almost regardless of the environmental, health, or economic consequences to residents of Santa Barbara County. This is a corruption of the CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process, requiring the project to be proven dangerous rather than shown to be safe. And when this standard is met, the facts are often ignored.
Even with this pro-oil prejudice, however, the following eye-popping paragraph appears imbedded within the county report: “In summary, cumulative oil development within Cat Canyon oil field and corresponding oil transport would result in a significant and unavoidable impact associated with an accidental oil, produced water, or other hazardous material spill that could have substantial and long-term effects on … hydrological resources.” This is the very groundwater that more than 200,000 North County residents depend on.
The Cat Canyon decision now stands with our five planning commissioners. Hopefully, they are aware of the glaring bias and inadequacy of the staff reports. After they vote, the county supervisors—our directly elected officials—will have a say. Your voice counts here. Let them know your thoughts.
This article appears in Apr 4-11, 2019.