Seeing the Pehl sand mine project decisively denied at the Planning Commission made my heart leap up. We have a county government that actually listens to the people! Thanks to commissioner Bruce White for moving to deny the permit. Thanks to commission chair Sarah Christie for making sure that the denial included the scientific fact that the Salinas River is already being mined several times beyond its capacity to replenish the sand and gravel already being extracted. Permitting more such operations would be a guarantee of environmental disaster. Thank you, commissioners, for looking out for the best interests of the North County.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 5, 2009.
