Ruling requires reviews before well-drilling

                       By Susanne Hilty
                       STAFF WRITER

                       REDWOOD CITY -- Activists seeking to save the underwater aquifer in San
                       Mateo and San Francisco counties are claiming victory in a judicial decision
                       that could require a state review be conducted before well-drilling permits are
                       approved.

                       The suit, filed by the Committee to Save Lake Merced in March, focuses on
                       the drilling of a well by the California Golf Club on Westborough Boulevard in
                       South San Francisco.

                       The County approved the drilling and issued a permit in January, without an
                       environmental review, as per County policy.

                       But activists believed the policy did call for a review under the California
                       Environmental Quality Act, and that the County had misinterpreted its own
                       policy for years.

                       Judge Phrasel Shelton agreed with the plaintiffs, and ordered that an
                       environmental review was needed.

                       "It is a victory," said Jerry Cadagan of the Committee to Save Lake Merced.
                       "The good news is the County is waking up to the fact that there are
                       environmental implications to pumping water out of the aquifer."

                       Activists claim that the well would "aggravate existing environmental problems
                       caused by excessive withdrawal of groundwater from the aquifer that extends
                       from Golden Gate Park to the San Francisco Airport." The group claimed that
                       a review was required under CEQA.

                       The aquifer provides drinking water for three San Mateo County cities -- San
                       Bruno, Daly City and South San Francisco.

                       The County maintained that the environmental was not required, as the
                       conditions for a well permit are "ministerial" and not up to the discretion of the
                       County.

                       The argument was rebutted by the Committee To Save Lake Merced, which
                       claimed that the policy required the County to use discretion in approving
                       projects that may cause contamination or pollution, and therefore a CEQUA
                       review was needed.

                       Activists claim that golf courses and cemeteries that use water from the aquifer
                       should be using recycled water instead of depleting the drinking water supply.
                       Eventually, the committee claims, the aquifer will become so depleted that salt
                       water will intrude and destroy the source of drinking water.

                       Lawyers for the golf club and County would not comment after the decision.

                       Shelton issued a writ of mandate -- in effect ordering that all wells drilled in San
                       Mateo County will have to undergo a CEQUA review. However, as Cadagan
                       said outside of court, there are still many exemptions that can be made to avoid
                       an environmental review.

                       CEQUA exemptions may apply, Shelton said in court, but he noted that those
                       matters were not before him to decide in this matter.

                       Cadagan is hopeful that the decision will make County officials more aware of
                       the environmental consequences of projects they approve.