Fort Bragg drops disposable plate order in face of opposition from restaurants

In the face of fierce opposition from eateries, Fort Bragg has rescinded a controversial mandate that required restaurants to use paper dinnerware and plastic flatware to conserve the city’s limited water supply during the state’s historic drought.

Instead, going forward, eating establishments will be encouraged to utilize compostable dinnerware to help conserve the city’s dwindling water supply, the Fort Bragg City Council unanimously decided Tuesday night.

The council meeting was called after a number of restaurateurs protested the mandate, saying the rule unfairly targeted the 47 eateries that utilize city water. They said they could save water in other ways, ones that continue to allow them to serve meals in the manner their customers expect.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to achieve 30 percent (savings),” said restaurateur Jim Hurst, who has implemented a number of other water-saving measures at his two establishments, including halting the use of tablecloths that need to be laundered. City businesses and residents have cut their water use by 21 percent since the stage three water conservation rules went into effect Sept. 30, triggering the 30 percent water cutback mandate, officials said.

Hurst said using disposable dinnerware also would cost him thousands of dollars a month.

The mandatory rule “doesn’t work for everybody,” City Councilman Scott Deitz conceded prior to the vote to shelve the requirement.

Not all restaurant owners opposed the mandate.

The owners of Egghead’s Restaurant, which began serving food on compostable plates early last week, said they were able to find plates that look good and hold up to hot, heavy and sauce-laden food.

“It’s been successful for us,” said co-owner Becky Parrish. She said customers have supported the effort to save water and that it has brought attention to the water crisis and the need to conserve.

Others suggested that everyone in town use compostable dishes during the water emergency.

The strict emergency water rules were adopted after flows in the Noyo River fell so low they were unable to hold back salt moving upriver from the ocean during peak high tides, forcing the city to halt its use as a water supply. The river provides about 40 percent of the city’s water. Two springs supply the rest.

The City Council on Tuesday also loosened other water conservation requirements while strengthening others. The council dropped a ban on replenishing swimming pools because letting the water in them drop can cause serious, expensive damage. It made mandatory what had been a request to lodging businesses to halt the use of water-wasting hot tubs.

Other newly imposed rules include a ban on washing cars except at commercial car washes that recycle water and a ban on all outdoor watering and the washing of sidewalks and buildings.

If residents and businesses don’t reduce their water use, they could be fined or, in severe cases, have water flow restrictors placed on their buildings.

The city is seeking temporary, alternative water sources and potentially could tap into wells on city or private property. They may consider having water hauled by truck or train to Fort Bragg if necessary, officials said.

City officials on Tuesday also discussed revisiting the idea of a desalination plant. A small reservoir that holds about a month’s worth of water is expected to be completed next year.

Fort Bragg’s current water crisis is the most serious in recent history. It has lessened somewhat as tides have lost strength but the ocean is approaching its next, monthly maximum high tide on Oct. 24.

Meaningful relief from water shortages and conservation mandates aren’t expected until there is significant rainfall.

“Let’s pray for rain,” said Mayor Dave Turner.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MendoReporter