Diablo Canyon Decommissioning Engagement Panel

Public Comments

DateAugust 25, 2021
Decommissioning TopicRepurposing of Facilities
Comment / Suggestion:

I would like to propose that as part of the planned future decommissioning of Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the board consider converting the artificially protected open ocean area where Diablo takes in their coolant water, that the area be transitioned into a protected marine preserve which would allow recreational scuba divers the opportunity to swim and hike in that area (for a fee). I do not make this recommendation on a lightly. If you have ever been to Point Lobos in Carmel California you know they charge for entry/parking. They also charge for scuba dive teams, which they limit to 30 teams per day. The offer a limited number of dive team permits daily and they are often sold out weeks or months in advance, especially for weekends. Point Lobos is operated by the State Parks Department who also issue scuba diving passes via their website. Point Lobos charges $10 for parking per vehicle and another $30 for a dive team consisting of two divers (divers always use the buddy system). I do not know the max depth or contour profile of that specific area, but if it's more than 30' in some places, this could be a great means of both revenue and marketing for the state/county as well as an education tool for the California dive community. Scuba divers are a special breed of human being in that we always want to preserve the environment which we recreate and dive in. We are stewards of the ocean and the marine life contained within. We are guests, not residents. The ocean does not belong to us, yet we are responsible for its care and well being. I've been blessed to be part of the California Dive Community for the past six years, but unfortunately there are not many dive sites in our local area. I drive at least two hours North or South to reach a 'destination dive site'. Consider what it could do for the local San Luis Obispo Coastal community if we had a dive destination like none other on the West Coast right here in our local coastal waters.

Group Affiliation, if any (Optional)None. Recreational Scuba Diver
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