Dear editor,

Bob Peterson's letter on Dec. 2 ("No link between Measure A, Gasser") appropriately corrects the issues raised by John Stephens ("Mini-city in a flood plain a bad idea," Nov. 21) concerning the link between Measure A and the Gasser project currently under consideration by the city of Napa.

As Peterson states, it has always been understood that the threat of flooding is an obstacle to economic development, and as the flood projects identified in Measure A are completed, some properties will have increased potential for development. The Gasser property is an ideal location for infill development to accommodate a portion of Napa's state mandated fair share of housing, while providing much needed funding for community services.

John Stephens' comment that Measure A states, "None of the projects in the plan are intended or designed to encourage population growth in Napa County," is taken out of context of the full Measure A ordinance. I was intimately involved in the development of the ordinance and provide the following background on this subject: The provision referenced by Mr. Stephens pertains to Measure A funded projects involving water supply. At the time that Measure A went to the voters, the details of the Napa flood project where known through a detailed general design document. But the other community projects where not developed to the project level. So Section 8 of the Measure A ordinance was added, which speaks to county-wide projects not involving the city of Napa. When written, it was understood that some communities do not have serious flooding threats, but have water supply reliability issues. The ordinance allows those areas to use their share of Measure A funds "to stabilize water supply reliability for the existing Napa County population as of the effective date of the ordinance." Section 8 goes on to say that "none of these water supply projects are intended or designed to expand water capacity for growth or new development." The wording included was in response to concerns that Measure A funds not be used to import more water into the county to fuel population growth.

Dave Dickson

St. Helena