News Subscribe  to Our Newsletter Sign  up for Email Updates CGF  In the News Press  Inquiries Past  Articles Calendar Read related articles from the Fall 2003 issue  of the CGF newsletter, Green Footnotes: The benefits  of using reclaimed water, by Larry Kolb Financial  effects of land use planning: Not a laughing matter, by Brian  Schmidt			Environmental  Forums bring clarity to two important Bay Area issues by Andi Fray Committee for Green Foothills recently held two public  environmental forums on issues of increasing importance: the appropriate  use of recycled water, and the relationship between land use planning  and budgeting. "Treated Wastewater:  Where, how, why? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?" The use of treated wastewater for irrigation and other needs is becoming  increasingly attractive as we draw down fresh water supplies. At our October  2 forum moderated by San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon, three  panelists gathered at Miramar Lodge and Conference Center in Half Moon  Bay to discuss the best use of diminishing water resources. Key points  raised included appropriate uses, levels of treatment, testing protocols  and ways to address public concerns about the potential risks of reclaimed  water.  Panelists included Bob Holden, Water Recycling Projects  Coordinator of Monterey  Regional Water Pollution Control Agency , Lawrence Kolb, Principal  Engineer of San  Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and Eric Rosenblum,  Manager of South  Bay Water Recycling, San Jose Environmental Services Department.  The forum was designed to provide the public with  information based on facts rather than speculation. Half Moon Bay City  Council member Deborah Ruddock praised the panel for its "outstanding  presentation" of the issues involving recycled water. "We must  seriously consider using the resources we have more efficiently and reusing  what we have whenever possible," she said.  John Muller, Chair of the Regional Water Quality  Control Board, was pleased with the diversity of viewpoints represented.  He warned that "we are stretching our resources," and feels  that water recycling is "something the Coast has to work toward."  The forum was supported by a grant from the Peninsula  Community Foundation and cosponsored by the San  Mateo County League for Coastside Protection, Save  Our Shores and Surfrider  Foundation San Mateo County.  "Land use planning and the budget"  The ongoing budget crisis in Santa Clara County has led to cuts in  Planning Department staff. Is environmental protection a luxury to be  jettisoned during tough economic times, or a way to avoid fiscal crises?  At CGF's October 9 forum,  moderated by Professor Meg Caldwell, Lecturer in Law and Director of Stanford  Law School Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program ,  a group of panelists met at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium to examine  how environmental practices - specifically land use planning - affect  budgets in the long run.  Panelists included David Ginsborg, Director of Special  Programs and External Affairs of Santa  Clara County Office of the Assessor, Janet Stone, Livable Communities  Director of Greenbelt  Alliance , Terry Trumbull, Environmental Attorney and Fred Foldvary,  Professor of Economics at Santa  Clara University .  The group discussed the budget implications of smart  growth, Proposition 13, quality of life and taxes. Former Santa Clara  County Planning staff member Don Weden said, "The panel did an excellent  job of communicating the point that how and where we accommodate our future  growth affects not only our environment, but also the public costs incurred  by local and state governments to provide and maintain the infrastructure  necessary to serve new development."  This forum was supported by a grant from the Hugh  Stuart Charitable Trust and cosponsored by Greenbelt  Alliance and Santa Clara  Valley Audubon .  CGF would like to thank the panelists and moderators  for volunteering their time and participation. We'd also like to thank  Keet Nerhan for donating the use of the Miramar Lodge and Conference Center,  and volunteers Kendy Dickman and Tom Daniell for videotaping the forums. Tapes of the forums will  air on local public access television; we'll notify our action alert subscribers  once details are set. Videotapes will also be available in Acterra's Environmental  Library in the Peninsula Conservation Center.Published October 2003 in Green  Footnotes. Page last updated November 6, 2003 .