STOP FUTURE DEVELOPMENT / BUY 0UT

Some have argued in the past that the MMWD ought to further limit new developments based on a shortage of water supply. This concept fails to recognize that those who own undeveloped property still have just as much right to a share of the existing rainfall water supply (assuming that they pay an entry fee to buy their share of the capital investment required to store and deliver that rainfall). Thus, if denied this right, there are likely to be law suits of a magnitude that is greater than the costs of providing additional water capacity by any of the means available. The idea that those who develop first should get all the water rights is not a viable argument. (See the Buy Out argument below.)

BUY OUT OF WATER RIGHTS

Buy out of the water rights for as yet undeveloped property would likely be quite expensive. However it should be noted that the current Tiered water rates, although they provide incentives to conserve, are set so as to provide the money needed for existing operations of the water supply system. It should also be noted that these rates result in a water bill that is quite small with respect to most users disposable income. As a result, they do not significantly cause users to conserve due to the cost. If the MMWD were to significantly increase all of the rates above the lowest base rate they could further encourage conservation - especially with respect to outside watering in the summer. Further, so doing would allow the accumulation of a budget surplus which could be used to buy out the water rights from undeveloped properties.

We could do this. There is precedence. We have bought up land for open space to prevent development and the MALT program has bought out development rights from farms in West Marin. We would not necessarily have to buy the land - merely buy out the water rights - or perhaps limit the water rights to low usage - such as to parking garages and stores which have negligable water usage.