The Crystal Geyser Water Company has been the subject of intense public protest ever since it bought an old bottling plant in the town of Mt. Shasta back in 2013 鈥� with plans to bottle the region鈥檚 famously clean spring water.
After abandoning those plans last year in the face of public pressure and a lawsuit, the company has now sold the site to an investment group, One Shasta LLC.
Bruce Hillman is a member of the group formed in opposition to Crystal Geyser, We Advocate Thorough Environmental Review, or W.A.T.E.R.
鈥淎nd part of the stipulation in the deed is that the new owner will not engage in water bottling or distribution," Hillman says. "So we were very glad to see that.鈥�
Hillman says the fight doesn鈥檛 stop there; the group is arguing in appellate court Tuesday that Crystal Geyser鈥檚 Environmental Impact Report was inadequate, seeking to set a precedent for future efforts going forward.
鈥淓ven though this plant is not going forward; the threats to the water supply and the environment in the Mt. Shasta area continue. There鈥檚 still been discussions of opening water plants in McCloud.鈥�
W.A.T.E.R. argues the report, which was only completed after public pressure, was inadequate, and fails to recognize the impacts this plant would have on the region鈥檚 water supply.
Neither Crystal Geyser nor the investment group that purchased the property, One Shasta LLC, could be reached for comment.
Hillman hopes the new developers will work with the community to transform the site into one that keeps community interests in mind.
Read the full Grant Deed and Deed of Trust related to the sale here:
