| 9/24/2009 9:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Judy Everett, Chaffee County resident and member of the planning commission, holds signs supporting Chaffee County commissioners during a protest of the Nestlé Waters North America water-pumping project prior to the special meeting Wednesday morning. Protesters gathered at Thonoff Park before attending the meeting. |
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Nestlé permits approved
by Jennifer Denevan
Mail Staff Writer
Chaffee County Commissioners approved 1041 and special land use permit resolutions for Nestlé Waters North America in front of a full meeting room during a special meeting Wednesday.
One resident cried out "you fools," as he walked out of the commissioners' board room. Others booed and made comments about their dislike of Nestlé.
Resolutions had been tabled at the Aug. 19 meeting at which commissioners approved the project, pending county staff developing appropriate language.
Commissioners also approved the Chaffee County cost reimbursement fund, into which Nestlé will make payments from which the county can draw to offset costs related to the project.
A portion of the project related to an easement along CR 301 was tabled pending commissioners receiving appraisal information.
The easement will be included on a regular business agenda for commissioners.
A protest group of about 100 people voiced their opinions at Thonoff Park prior to the special meeting.
Residents held signs expressing dislike and distrust for Nestlé Waters North America, and several discussed what they didn't like about the project.
John Graham, Chaffee Citizens for Sustainability board president, addressed the group. He reminded protesters why it is important for their voices to be heard.
Lee Hart, board member for the nonprofit organization, also spoke to protesters. She said organization members are in it for the long haul and hope others are too.
She criticized commissioners Frank Holman and Dennis Giese, saying neither commissioner is keeping his campaign promises.
Hart mentioned 20 standards not met by Nestlé's initial application and questioned whether county-imposed conditions would ensure Nestlé's compliance since they use the word "should" instead of "will."
"Commissioners charged us with being the watchdogs-we'll show them what a watchdog is like," she said.
Jeanine Zeman, Sustainability board member, told The Mountain Mail organizers were happy with the turnout.
"There are people here who never thought the permit would be approved," she said. "It just doesn't pass the common sense test."
Board members are still making plans and keeping options open, she told The Mail.
While the majority of the group were protesting the project, a few residents were there to support the commissioners.
County resident Judy Everett held signs saying she supports the commissioners and to keep hands off of her water.
She told The Mail she wasn't necessarily supporting or protesting the project as much as she was supporting the commissioners and individual rights.
Everett said an individual has the right to sell their water rights. As a rancher and irrigator, she understands it sometimes becomes necessary to sell water rights, even though ranchers generally prefer not to.
Cecile Young of Salida, said she was present mainly to support the commissioners. They did what they had to and followed the law, she added.
She said she would have supported commissioners either way because they did a thorough job.
Young said she doesn't approve of the Sustainability group because they act as though they speak for the entire community. Plenty of residents support commissioners, she added, they're just quiet.
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