Salinas, Calif.— Protect Monterey County (PMC) members will attend the Monterey County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, January 9 at9:00 a.m. to urge Monterey County Board of Supervisors to appeal the recent Monterey County Superior Court decision which overturns key parts of Measure Z. PMC will hold a press conference shortly after speaking to the Supervisors. We expect the press conference to start at approximately 9:30 am or 9:45 am (Tuesday, January 9), outside Board of Supervisors’ chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas.
The Supervisors will be discussing, and possibly making a decision, on whether to appeal Judge Wills’ recent decision on Measure Z.
Judge Wills’ decision (issued December 28, 2017) leaves the fracking ban in place, holding that plaintiffs lack standing to challenge it. However, the decision strikes down the ban on new oil and gas wells and wastewater injection, finding these portions are “pre-empted” by state and federal law.
Protect Monterey County and their attorneys have already decided to appeal Judge Wills’ decision. They are urging Monterey County Supervisors to join them in the appeal, which be heard by the 6th District Court of Appeal. This appeals court covers four counties — Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara. The first three counties have previously passed bans on fracking and other risky oil operations.
“Monterey County can and should lead the state in fighting pollution and protecting our environment”, said Dr. Laura Solorio, president of Protect Monterey County. “We urge the supervisors to appeal the recent court decision on Measure Z and take a leadership role in fighting climate change and protecting our future. Additionally, if the supervisors let this decision stand, it would risk limiting the county’s authority to regulate other land use decisions in the future.”
