File this one under, “Another environmental solution runs into fiscal reality.” That file is gaining size as small plans and schemes – some proposed by people who don’t have two nickels to rub together and who never made one thin dime – come face to face with the average bank account in San Benito County.
Ridgemark Homeowners Association members were recently notified that JMK Golf intends to close holes 11 to 18 of the Gabilan Course because they can no longer support two full golf courses and they were hoping a smaller course would be more economical. The notice went on to say it was JMK’s intent to develop the closed areas with homes and, if water became a problem, they may decide to close another nine holes. If they can pull off the initial housing plan, you can take the word may “right” out of that last sentence.
Many Ridgemark residents believe that their home values are highly dependent the golf courses; therefore, the potential elimination of an entire course is going to be very unwelcome. There is no sense blaming JMK, though. The fiscal realities are what they are.
This problem comes to the fore during a double-whammy – a serious drought and a sharp increase in the local cost of water. Audubon International estimates that the average American golf course uses 312,000 gallons of water per day. That is big bucks even in a cheap water region, and that’s not here.
This issue relates to the plan for the area wastewater treatment plant. When the residents of Ridgemark and others had to make a decision on how to replace their inadequate wastewater treatment plant, it came down to essentially two choices. One was to use the extra capacity that existed in the then recently built City of Hollister plant. The other was to build a new facility.
During the critical meeting, two primary arguments were put forward against using the Hollister plant. The first was purely political; many residents simply did not want to use any utility that was under control of the Hollister City Council. There was no hiding the fact that much was merely senseless anti-city bias.
The second argument for a separate plant was better. It would allow the use of greywater to irrigate the golf courses at a much lower cost than would otherwise be possible. This would be environmentally friendly – which makes everyone feel good – and, more important, ensure the courses stayed open to support the home values.
This appeared logical, but not without some concerns. The obvious questions were about water quality and the infrastructure costs, but as usual, the script-reading professionals easily steered the disorganized public. I cannot quote the exact assurances, but they are always the same: “I don’t see any problem” or “I think we can do that.” Fully placated, because that is what they wanted to believe and with nary a protest heard, the residents went on their merry way.
As always happens we get to reality time and things look different. It turns out that the salt content of the greywater is such that it can’t be used as-is and it requires processing – expensive, energy-eating, processing – as reflected in the new water rates. Strike one.
It also turns out that the money for the infrastructure is significant and just not available. Strike two.
Will there be a strike three? We don’t know yet, but Robert Burns’ observation of 1786 still holds:
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry].
Marty Richman is a Hollister resident.
