Loud and Clear: Marin Voters Want a Say on Desalination

Marin County, Calif. – Fifty six percent of Marin Voters supported citizen-backed Measure T and 69 percent supported Measure S at the polls yesterday, providing a clear mandate for a public vote before additional funds are spent on a controversial $400 million desalination plant in San Rafael.

“This is a victory for the people of Marin,” said Bill Rothman, a proponent of Measure T. “Considering that a year ago, MMWD would not even hear the public’s concerns on desalination, this is still an honorable, hard-fought victory for Marin residents.”

In August 2009, despite strong public opposition, the MMWD board voted to approve a desalination plant. In response, more than 18,000 Marin citizens signed a petition to put Measure T on the ballot. Although MMWD could have passed an ordinance confirming that when they revisited the idea of desalination it would be brought to a public vote, they chose to advance a conflicting ballot initiative, Measure S.

“The message from this election is clear – desalination is not ready for prime time in Marin and Marin voters want a say before the MMWD pursues this matter further,” said Adam Scow, California Campaigns Director for Food & Water Watch. “The MMWD will no longer be able to push this costly project and ignore the will of the people.”

Even though a clear majority supported measure T, measure S received a larger majority, therefore will become law.

For more information about the Marin Responsible Water Policy Ballot Initiative and the Coalition for the Public Right to Vote on Desalination, visit www.voteondesalination.org.