Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel

Public Comments

DateMarch 11, 2020
Decommissioning TopicEnvironmental Impacts
Comment / Suggestion:

I am submitting comments to the newly adopted Tribal Land Transfer Policy. First, there was not sufficient public input process on this policy. San Luis Obispo citizens have been very involved in the Decomissioning process for Diablo Canyon. No one was aware this policy was being considered, not even people on the Decommissioning Panel. The Policy should be rescinded and, if it is still desired, a full public involvement process followed that engages all the communities potentially impacted, especially San Luis Obispo County since we are in the Decomissioning process and this policy greatly affects us. We should also be involved in any rule making for a policy that affects the dispersement of any Public Utility lands.

Secondly, the in the Decomissioning Panel hearings, public has given overwhelming support for the lands to be purchased for conservation and recreation hiking, biking and horseback riding on a coastal and inland trail system that will link Montana de Oro State Park to Avila/Irish Hills. The lands and coastline are outstandingly pristine and should remain that way, not developed. This is the largest contiguous undeveloped coastal lands in Southern California. It is unique and can never be replaced. Even the military bases are riddled with roads, target ranges, launch sites, etc. Public support for conservation and recreation is documented in the Decommissioning Panels Strategic Plan and in the SLO County 2000 Dream Initiative.

Third, I think this policy is inappropriate. Public Utility investments have been funded by all the public and all the public should benefit from an dispersement of public utility lands. The Public Utility did not steal these lands from Native Americans; they bought them and presumably anyone else could have bought the lands when they were for sale. Nor did the Americans steal the land. The Spaniards conquered the native population in the south part of California and made Land Grants to private individuals, Mexico won California from Spain, then the United States won the lands from Mexico, but honored the Spanish Land Grants. If there are local people who have Native American ancestry who want land, they could go and buy a piece of land like any other person.

Lastly, if the lands are transferred to tribes or any other entity, a conservation easement should be attached and recorded to any land prior to any transfer away from PG&E (or its subsidiaries) such that regardless of who owns the land (tribal or otherwise), the conservation values are protected and sustainable public access is assured -- in perpetuity. Santa Ynez went through a recent struggle with the Chumash Tribe where the tribe acquired a piece of private land, had it converted to tribal land, and then the County had very little control over development on the land. If the tribe is serious about wanting to conserve the land, they should support a conservation easement to prevent development and to ensure public recreation access on established trails.

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