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Resident raises water concerns about potential AI data center in Woodland
Summary
A Woodland resident urged the council to provide clearer, earlier public notice and to study water impacts of a proposed AI data center, warning that drawing water from the Sacramento River could displace agricultural uses and raise local utility costs.
During the public comment period on June 6, Woodland resident Betsy Darling asked for more transparent public notification and analysis of any proposed "AI data center" that might rely on Sacramento River water.
Darling said she was not "against AI" but that water is a critical local resource: "Water is gold," she told the council, and warned that if surface water that now serves agricultural areas were diverted, "somebody is not getting that water." She also said some communities hosting data centers have seen higher utility bills and that residents often feel excluded from planning as projects progress.
Mayor Stallard thanked Darling for coming forward and noted the council had recorded her comments. No staff presentation on a specific data‑center proposal occurred at the meeting, and staff did not announce any pending entitlements; Darling's remarks were recorded as public comment for the meeting record.
The council did not take action on the subject during the meeting; staff did not respond with new policy direction. The comment was entered into the record and the mayor said staff had noted the concern.
