The Council , acknowledging hundreds of emails and calls from folks spurred to act by the environmental groups , then added the Public Trust language to the final draft before submitting it to the State Legislature for approval .
The sudden insistence upon emphasizing the Public Trust language ( which essentially says all water is held in trust by the State for all its citizens ) aroused suspicion and was viewed as a tool that could be used at some future point to alter or deny traditional water uses that environmental groups oppose .
Sitting through a lengthy debate at the State Capitol in April , it was apparent that a lack of “ trust ” was the underlying issue in the Public Trust debate , as generally speaking environmental groups do not trust businesses that use water , and those same businesses do not trust environmental groups .
This is unfortunate given that environmental groups do good work for the common good , and that by multiple measures golf courses are good for the environment . And yet too often , ignorance about golf is displayed by groups who should be embracing golf for all of golf ’ s environmental benefits .
Consider this from the website of one of the groups that lobbied for the inclusion of Public Trust language in the State Water Plan :
Why do we need a State Water Plan ?
Complaints and concerns over uses of water that some feel are wasteful or wrong . Should potable water be used to irrigate golf courses or cool power plants as is done now ? Can water uses be defined as good or bad ? If so , who decides ?
Let ’ s be clear , other than being cast in the same contemptible “ wasteful … wrong … bad ” category on this particular website , golf courses and power plants have nothing in common . To speak of both in the same breath is akin to likening cornfields to jet aircraft . Not to mention the mischaracterization regarding potable water being used for irrigation . Yes , some potable water is purchased for irrigation by golf courses , but much of the water used by courses is pulled from collection areas and ponds designed to trap runoff that is decidedly non-potable .
A power plant : bad for the environment .
Groups that dislike golf for any number of reasons , or disregard its value to communities , or wish to diminish its operations by limiting access to something as essential as water , would likely cite the State Water Plan and its reminder of Public Trust Policy . With the Public Trust language , the Plan provides a tool to many who may be well intentioned , but remain ignorant regarding golf courses and their intrinsic environmental benefits .
For now , thanks in large part to the response of golfers and others , the State Water Plan remains on hold for at least another year , not ratified by the Legislature , while discussions surrounding the Public Trust language continue .
www . csgalinks . org CSGA Links // May 2018 7