Photo Credit: Balance Hydrologics, Santa Rita Creek Flood Study Dear Friends & Neighbors, For years, residents in Bolsa Knolls have dealt with increasingly severe flooding, often multiple times a year. More than two-and-a-half years ago, I began efforts to have the County take a serious look at how to address Little Bear/Santa Rita Creek, which runs through the area. Much of that time has been spent developing a drainage study outlining potential solutions and costs. That stu

Pictured above is the aftermath of the lithium-ion battery fire in January of 2025. Photo Credit: Carmel Pine Cone Dear Friends & Neighbors, There are still many unanswered questions about last year’s Moss Landing Battery Fire. Among them are the long-term health impacts on nearby residents and the potential effects on the Elkhorn Slough and surrounding environment. Because of the unique nature of this fire, we may never know every answer. What we do learn will take time, so

Dear Friends & Neighbors, North County has about two-thirds of the private wells and small water systems that serve residents in Monterey County. It is now the focal point of a state effort to know every well within the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency boundaries (SVBGSA). Not all of North County is in the SVBGSA boundaries. The northern parts of Pajaro, Aromas, Las Lomas and much, but not all of Moss Landing and Royal Oaks are in the Pajaro Valley Water

Elkhorn Slough, Photo Credit: Kathy McKenzie Dear Friends & Neighbors, Looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026, some key issues have been resolved, but many significant challenges remain. It is impossible to reflect on 2025 without addressing the Moss Landing Battery fire. Cleanup efforts continue and will do so for some time, while both Vistra and PG&E remain shut down by their own choice. Last summer, Monterey County began developing an ordinance to address battery energy st