The Mendocino County Planning Commission convened on December 5, 2024, to discuss critical water resource management issues, particularly in light of ongoing drought conditions. The meeting focused on the extraction and management of groundwater, with specific attention to the Mendocino Unified School District's (MUSD) water usage and the implications for local residents.

The session began with a discussion regarding the estimated groundwater withdrawal rates. A discrepancy was noted between the projected 24.5 acre-feet per year and a recalculated figure of approximately 5.5 acre-feet based on an average extraction of 5,000 gallons per day. The discussion highlighted that the higher figure was derived from hydrogeological studies estimating the total groundwater available, rather than what MUSD plans to extract. It was clarified that MUSD's current extraction practices would not change significantly, except during drought conditions when water supply strategies might vary.

Commissioner Tricia Beaman raised concerns about the implications of future droughts on water availability for residents of Mendocino. She questioned the provisions in place for prioritizing water access during emergencies, particularly for essential services like restaurants that require substantial water supplies. The discussion underscored the need for clarity on how water would be allocated in times of scarcity, especially as Fort Bragg develops additional water resources.

Public comments were invited, with Christina Arengern, a former board member of the Mendocino Community Services District, expressing her concerns about the project's evolution from a drought relief initiative to a broader water supply plan. She emphasized the lack of transparency regarding the project's scope and its environmental impacts, calling for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to ensure the protection of local water resources.

The meeting concluded with a call for further examination of the project's implications and the need for a more detailed analysis of its environmental effects. The commission acknowledged the importance of addressing these concerns to safeguard the water supply for current and future generations in Mendocino County.