Democracy School Produces Rights-Based Water Ordinance
Local News and Water Media
MCSD Updates
Next Nestle Public Forum Announced - June 2nd
Envision Spokane: Coalition Works to Get “Community Bill of Rights” into City Charter
A coalition of community activists, union members and environmental groups have begun gathering signatures to get a number of wide-ranging changes to the Spokane City Charter onto the November 2009 general election ballot. The changes are part of a proposed “Community Bill of Rights” drafted in a series of workshops and town hall meetings over the last year by a group called Envision Spokane.
Nestle says not now, Black Diamond
Enumclaw Courier Herald Reporter, Apr 27 2009
It looks like Nestlé Waters North America won’t be setting up shop in Black Diamond.
Plastic Water Bottles May Pose Health Hazard
Discovery News, April 28, 2009
With all of the bad press swirling around certain types of plastic lately, regular old plastic water bottles have maintained a reputation as safe, at least as far as human health is concerned. New evidence, however, suggests that plastic water bottles may not be so benign after all.
U.S. Water Wars Go Underground
Blue Ridge Press, April 20, 2009
Hiking in Maine’s Vernon Walker Wildlife Preserve in 2006, Ann Wentwort stumbled upon one of 16 test wells dug there without public knowledge by the Nestle Corporation.
Community Speaks Out: Nestle, Stop Stealing Our Water
Corporate Accountability International, April 10, 2009
What's Nestle doing with the water in Michigan, California, Maine and other places? Hear the truth from the people who live there.
Nestle project manager speaks to Weed Rotary
Mount Shasta Herald, April 1, 2009
During a half hour presentation at last week's Weed Rotary Club luncheon, Nestle's Dave Palais outlined the company's recently revised McCloud water bottling project proposal and fielded questions from club members and guests.
McCloud Public Forum Summary
February 18, 2009
Review summary of Nestle's meeting regarding new proposed bottling plant in McCloud.
State forecast to face less water, more heat
San Francisco Chronicle, April 2, 2009
Californians probably will have to cope with less water and more frequent and intense wildfires, heat waves and bad-air days throughout this century, according to studies released Wednesday by state climate experts.
Out West, a new kind of water war
Los Angeles Times, April 2, 2009
Nestle wants to tap an aquifer in Colorado for bottled water. Some residents are angered by the project. 'They're taking and not giving,' one critic says.
Nestle India seeks permanent ban on worker's freedom of assembly
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 03/17/09
The management of Nestle India filed injunctions simultaneously in four courts in three states seeking a permanent ban on all union meetings, gatherings and rallies within 200 metres of its factories in Moga, Samalkha, Ponda Goa and Bicholim. These are the four Nestle factories in India that are unionized, with 1,350 members represented by the IUF-affiliated Federation of All India Nestle Employees.
Nestle stands accused of rights violations in connection with possible sell-off in Korea
People's Weekly World Newspaper, 03/28/09
The IUF wrote to Nestlé corporate management, pointing out that while the company may react with silence or with the standard "we do not respond to rumours" when dealing with the media, it has the duty to respond with openness and respect when approached by their employees and their union.
Nestle plan sets off water war
The Denver Post, March 23, 2009
A plan to suck, truck and bottle Arkansas Valley spring water has residents here crusading against the world's largest food and beverage company.
Nature Conservancy buys 4,136 acre Siskiyou ranch
Mount Shasta Herald, March 18, 2009
The Nature Conservancy yesterday announced its purchase of the 4,136 acre Shasta Big Springs Ranch, located in the Shasta Valley.
Activists slam Water Forum
AFP, March 2009
A global ministerial meeting was putting the final touches here Saturday to resolutions for tackling the world's water crisis but activists attacked the process as a corporate-driven fraud.
Energy Implications of Bottled Water
Published in Environmental Research Letters, February 2009
In an article published in the February 2009 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters, the Pacific Institute analyses the energy requirements for various stages in bottled water production, including the energy to manufacture the plastic bottles, process the water and the bottles, and transport and cool the final product.
One percent of what?
Letter to the Editor, Siskiyou Daily News, February 23, 2009
It is difficult to write about the reasons not to do business with Nestlé. There are so many that you will be well on your way to a novel.
Presentation of Nestle Waters of North America's proposed new water bottling plant project at the McCloud Public Forum on February 18, 2009.
Citizens of Shapleigh, Maine voted at a special town meeting to pass a groundbreaking Rights-Based Ordinance, 114 for and 66 against. This revolutionary ordinance give its citizens the right to local self-governance and gives rights to ecosystems but denies the rights of personhood to corporations. This ordinance allows the citizens to protect their groundwater resources, putting it in a common trust to be used for the benefit of its residents.
Shapleigh closes tap for water companies
Portland Press Herald, March 1, 2009
Residents ignore the Board of Selectmen's position and vote to stop Poland Spring – and others – from harvesting their water.
Beware Nestlé
Siskiyou Daily News, February 18, 2009
Last week I wrote to McCloud about how Nestlé Waters sought a long-term lease to one of my town’s most productive springs.
Washington University in St. Louis Ends Sales of Bottled Water on Campus
Washington University, February 21, 2009
Faculty, students and staff on Washington University in St. Louis' Danforth, North and West campuses no longer can find bottled water in vending machines or at most campus eateries.
Nestlé presents new proposal at forum, hears public comment
Mount Shasta Herald, February 25, 2009
Nestle’s public forum was the highlight event in McCloud last Wednesday night, with 150 area residents filling the elementary school gym to hear company representatives outline the revised water bottling project proposal and to provide feedback and ask questions.
Nestlé solicits more feedback from McCloud
Siskiyou Daily News, February 20, 2009
The citizens of McCloud, concerned groups and representatives from Nestlé Waters gathered for a community forum to gain ideas and perspective on where the future will take the town and the corporation.
Voluntary 20 percent cut in state water consumption sought
The Sacramento Bee, February 20, 2009
Water leaders today urged Californians to make every effort to cut water consumption by 20 percent this year because of the growing likelihood of a third straight drought year.
Challenges piling up for Poland Spring
Portland Press Herald, February 6, 2009
After 146 years of doing business in Maine, Poland Spring is fighting battles on three fronts these days -- over test wells in Shapleigh, a proposed tax that would cost the company $7 million a year, and a state Supreme Court case over a pumping station in Fryeburg.
Bone-dry Bolinas - barometer for state?
SFGate, February 4, 2009
Wooded Bolinas fears dying trees and wildfires as water d...This is the Woodrat II emergency water pond near Bolinas....Water treatment operator Seth Kline warns residents to cu... View More Images
PG&E halts cloud seeding program for this winter
Mt. Shasta Herald, February 4, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - PG&E announced last week that it plans to cancel its Pit-McCloud Cloud Seeding Program for the rest of the 2009 season. PG&E representative Paul Moreno said, “Due to the lateness of the season and the fact that the generators are not yet in operation, we thought it best to stop for now.”
Open letter to McCloud
Mt. Shasta News, February 4, 2009
Dear Editor,
As a college professor, I am embarrassed to say I knew little about what I now call our nation’s silent water wars. These last few months, Nestle Waters North America sought a long-term lease to one of my town’s most productive springs.
Business idea winners recognized by Local-First
Mt. Shasta Herald, February 3, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - The McCloud Local-First Network community meeting held last Wednesday at Scout Hall was one part business and one part celebration.
During a packed three hour agenda, the organization continued its development, recruited members, and announced the winners of its McCloud Basin Business Idea Contest, a contest intended to promote interesting and innovative small business ideas.
McCloud to seek Nestle talks at ‘higher level’
Mt. Shasta Herald, January 28, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - Scout Hall in McCloud was packed Monday night as the Community Services District board of directors discussed the issue of whether or not to pursue a re-negotiated contract with Nestle to build a water bottling plant in McCloud. All Bottled Up: Nestlé’s Pursuit of Community Water: Nestlé turns consumers sour with bottled water
January 22, 2009
Food & Water Watch's report, "All Bottled Up: Nestlé's Pursuit of Community Water," reveals the loss communities experience when a plant shows up in a small town.
Consider that...
Bottled water is overpriced, it's no purer or safer than tap water, Nestlé is profiting off of communities and their precious resource -- groundwater, and water bottles end up -- by the millions -- as worthless trash.
Did you know that...
Nestle takes the groundwater for next to nothing and makes extraordinary profits from the community's loss? Communities are taking on the food giant -- AND WINNING. Empty Nestlé bottles are piling up in landfills? Communities are getting smart about Nestlé and passing legislation to stop harmful water extraction from their towns?
McCloud board deals with business, recognizes Young
Mt. Shasta Herald, January 14, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - Though the resurgence of the Nestle issue occupied over half of the regularly scheduled McCloud Community Services District Board meeting Monday night, directors persevered with a myriad of other issues currently facing the small town.
JEDI releases McCloud survey
Mt. Shasta Herald, January 14, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - The Jefferson Economic Development Institute recently released its Community Survey Report for the town of McCloud. The report presents the findings of a survey given to 43 McCloud residents, exploring their beliefs and attitudes about the future of McCloud. The document was introduced to the community and comments were heard during a meeting at Scout Hall in McCloud on Jan. 8.
Many comment, no action taken on new Nestlé request
Mt. Shasta Herald, January 14, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - With Nestlé back on the agenda, more than 50 people attended Monday night’s McCloud Community Services District regular meeting
The meeting highlight was Nestlé’s announcement of its intention to pursue a re-negotiated contract to build a water bottling facility in McCloud, though the new project plan calls for a facility reduced in size and scope compared to the company’s original proposal initiated five years ago.
McCloud, Nestlé Waters continue talks
Siskiyou Daily, January 13, 2009
McCloud, Calif. - There have been few topics discussed more over the last five years than Nestlé, but at last night’s McCloud Community Services District (MCSD) meeting, the tone of those talks changed slightly. Though no decisions were made last night, MCSD board members are weighing their options carefully before meeting again in two weeks to possibly vote on going forward with new negotiations for the proposed water bottling facility.
Nestle Community Meeting Update
Kearns & West completed a report on the Nestle Community meeting in October 2008. Nestle has fired Kearns & West, so it is unclear how all the concerns from the meeting will be addressed. See the report here.
Supreme Court decision may apply to Nestlé project
Siskiyou Daily News, January 8, 2008
McCloud, Calif. - A Supreme Court decision regarding the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and how it applies to public entities is hoped by some in the McCloud area to be a guiding example in the issue of the possible Nestlé Waters North America McCloud bottling plant.
Protect Our Waters Op-Ed
Mt. Shasta Herald, January 7, 2008
The Mt. Shasta Herald published a guest opinion from the Protect Our Waters Coalition in their January 7, 2009 edition concerning the past years’ water issues, and what work we have to look forward to in 2009. See the guest opinion by clicking here.
MWC Update Community groups challenge McCloud Community Services District Board on legality of Water System Master Plan
January 28, 2008
On January 16, 2008, attorneys for California Trout, Trout Unlimited, and the McCloud Watershed Council delivered an 18-page letter to the McCloud Community Services District Board questioning the legality of the Board's approval of a Water System Master Plan (WSMP). The letter cautioned that the WSMP was adopted in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in part because it appears to be closely related to the Nestle Water Bottling Plant Project currently undergoing environmental review.
