AGENCY TO DEFEND PROPOSED WATER BUY.

Byline: Erin Gebroe Daily News Staff Writer

The Castaic Lake Water Agency is preparing to defend a proposed purchase that would increase its water supply by 80 percent while some critics argue the agency should not spend money on water it does not need.

The CLWA is proposing to buy 41,000 acre feet of water from the Kern County Water Agency for $41 million.

The water agency is scheduled to respond to comments on its environmental impact report at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant, 27234 Bouquet Canyon Road.

``They are hoping to certify that EIR as soon as they can,'' said CLWA board member Ed Dunn. The purchase cannot take place until the agency addresses all environmental issues.

Critics complain that the agency does not need the water, that it is earmarking the water for The Newhall Land and Farming Company's 21,000-home Newhall Ranch development and that it has not held any public hearings on the purchase.

``We have an allocation of 54,000 acre feet right now and only use 22,000,'' Dunn said, questioning why the agency wants to buy more. ``What you don't use, you don't have any benefit, and you still have to pay the state.''

CLWA General Manager Robert Sagehorn could not be immediately reached for comment.

Dunn added that the agency wants the extra water for the Newhall Ranch development. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the development on the condition that Newhall Land show a water source before construction.

``Many feel what it is is a justification for Newhall Ranch because (CLWA) put too much of an urgency on it,'' he said, adding that there should be no rush for water that is not earmarked for any particular use.

CLWA has always denied reserving water for particular developers. Water is not earmarked for specific developments but is reserved for the overall water needs in the Santa Clarita Valley, according to Kiza Stratton, a spokeswoman for the water agency.

Dunn and others also criticize the CLWA for not holding any public hearings on the purchase.

``This is like the county approving the Westridge project without a public hearing,'' said Lynn Plambeck, a former member of the Newhall County Water District board, referring to the 1,700-home golf course project. ``I don't think the city or county would ever conceive a project like this without having a public hearing.''

Although Plambeck said the water agency is not required to hold a public hearing, she said it is the right thing to do.

``If they spend $41 million to purchase water, it is going to raise everybody's water rates,'' said Plambeck, who acts as a local information source for the Sierra Club.

Dunn agreed that there should be a public hearing.

``If they're not doing it,'' he said, ``perhaps one of us ought to request there be one.''

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Photo

PHOTO Castaic Lake Water Agency Director Mike Kotch overlooks the water treatment plant in Saugus.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News