FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Severn Williams
July 29, 2008                                                                    510-336-9566, C: 415-336-9623

STATEMENT FROM THE PROTECT OUR WATERS COALITION REGARDING:

ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS NESTLE OF LEGAL CHALLENGE TO WATER BOTTLING PLANT

McCloud, CA – The Protect Our Waters Coalition (composed of the McCloud Watershed Council, California Trout, and Trout Unlimited) agrees fully with the California Attorney General’s letter to the Siskiyou County Planning Department regarding the wide-ranging problems associated with the proposed Nestlé water bottling plant in McCloud, see http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1591&;

The coalition opposes Nestlé’s current project proposal.  Its member organizations are concerned about the impact the plant will have on McCloud’s environment and economy. Like the Attorney General, the coalition seeks to ensure that Nestle is held accountable to do everything possible to identify and to mitigate the plant’s negative environmental impacts.  

“In sending this letter to Siskiyou County officials, the Attorney General’s Office has indicated that what happens in McCloud is of concern to the whole state,” said Curtis Knight, Mt. Shasta Area Regional Manager for California Trout.  “We agree with the Attorney General that any future proposal from Nestlé must be made with a studied understanding of all environmental impacts of the project, including impacts to global warming, to the McCloud River Watershed, and to the Town of McCloud.  Any future Nestle project proposal also must include meaningful provisions to limit negative environmental impacts and to ensure adequate mitigation for these impacts.”

About the Protect Our Waters Coalition:  Protect Our Waters Coalition formed to ensure the ecological and hydrological integrity of Mt. Shasta’s unique headwater areas for future generations. Current members include Trout Unlimited, California Trout and the McCloud Watershed Council.