Morena Lake Water Ruling Is Appealed

A lawyer representing the Lake Morena-Campo Chamber of Commerce has appealed Superior Court Judge William C. Pate’s decision that the city does not need an environmental impact report to drain Lake Morena, authorities said.

Pate ruled last month that draining the city-operated reservoir is an administrative function and not a project requiring an environmental study. Residents are challenging the water utilities department’s position.

The lake is emptied at a rate of 30 million gallons a day. City officials say it will not be drained completely, and the water is being sent to Otay Reservoir because too much water evaporates from Lake Morena.