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EWEB commissioner says staff warned that watershed initiative could hinder restoration projects
Summary
Sonia Carlson, an EWEB commissioner, told River Road residents that utility staff raised concerns the proposed watersheds bill of rights could restrict ongoing watershed restoration work and that the utility board will consider a resolution opposing the measure.
Sonia Carlson, an elected commissioner with EWEB, told the River Road meeting that utility staff had prepared a memo outlining potential operational consequences if a rights-of-nature style initiative passes. Carlson said staff suggested some watershed projects might be difficult to continue under the initiative's language and noted that the board would discuss a resolution opposing the measure at its next meeting. "We received an internal memo…we were starting to get lots of questions from the general community about, well, how does this measure impact you?" Carlson said.
Carlson said EWEB has invested in extensive watershed work, including a $4,000,000 restoration effort after the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020, and that commissioners must weigh environmental protection goals against the practical knowledge and expertise of staff. "We have to rely on our staff because they are the experts that do this work day in and day out," she said. Carlson emphasized she is one of five commissioners and the board would hold an open discussion; she encouraged residents to attend the EWEB meeting to voice opinions.
