Crystal Geyser vaulted a legal hurdle in Siskiyou County Court Thursday, though obstacles remain to firing up a contentious bottling plant.
A Siskiyou County judge ruled that local activists were a quarter century too late with their complaint, essentially dismissing their case.
But activists with the group We Advocate Thorough Environmental Review (WATER), nevertheless claimed a partial victory. They said publicity of the case may have helped bring about their goal: an Environmental Impact Report. Roslyn McCoy serves as Treasurer for WATER.
“We’ve had a lot more attention from the company, the county and the city that we we’re serious, that there’s a problem here," McCoy said.
Crystal Geyser Water Company would be the third company to bottle water on the site, which once housed a lumber mill.
Activists argued that plans to manufacture plastic bottles and brew tea in addition to bottling carbonated and flavored water, would violate the county’s zoning ordinance and general plan. But conflicts in the zoning ordinance undermined their case. Despite one designation barring heavy industry, the site is also zoned for heavy industry.
“The people weren’t paying attention at that time and challenging having heavy industrial surrounded by residential neighborhoods," McCoy said.
It's unclear if the group will appeal. Activists did say they are planning an active role as the company and county work on environmental documents.