Despite the four million-plus dollars the oil industry spent to defeat Measure Z, it passed by a 56-44 margin in the Nov. 8 election.
But the measure—which would ban fracking, wastewater injection and new oil wells in the county—has yet to be implemented, and its supporters want to see that happen sooner than later.
Andy Hsia-Coron, a co-founder of Protect Monterey County, the activist group that brought Measure Z, says when San Benito County voters passed a fracking ban in 2014, the county Board of Supervisors had already passed an ordinance to implement it.
That has not yet happened in Monterey County.
"It seems like Monterey County is going nowhere fast," Hsia-Coron says, adding that the measure passed in every county city except King City.
Protect Monterey County members are planning to speak to the Board of Supervisors in public comment at their Dec. 13 meeting. Afterward, at noon, they are planning a rally outside the supervisors' chambers.
If Measure Z is implemented, it is widely expected to be the subject of litigation.
(1) comment
There was a surprisingly good turn out for this demonstration. My estimate was that there were from thirty to thirty-five people present at the noon meeting. It amazes me that I was the only person there representing the "No on Z" side, even though it is "big ag" with it's nitrates and pesticides, rather than "big oil" that contaminates Monterey County drinking water aquifers. All anyone had to do to find out what a hoax Measure Z is was to check the Public Water Systems-LPA out of compliance list.xlsx, and the Local-State SWS Out of Compliance September.2016.xlsx spreadsheets! Tsk, Tsk, David Schmalz.
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