Montara Marks End of Nine-Year Lawsuit, Locks In Federal Disaster Grants

The Montara Water and Sanitary District board opened its March 5 meeting with a declaration of victory: Half Moon Bay has declined to appeal a court ruling that dismissed all claims in a lawsuit that dragged on for nearly a decade. With that legal cloud lifted, the board moved to secure the district's future by unanimously approving participation in a federal hazard mitigation plan worth up to $3 million in pre-disaster grants — and staked out a firm position against any administrative merger of local water agencies.

• Nine-year Half Moon Bay lawsuit officially over after the city declines to appeal a ruling dismissing all claims against Montara and Granada

• Board votes 5-0 to join the 2026 FEMA hazard plan, preserving eligibility for pre-disaster grants of $500,000 to $3 million

• Directors push back on consolidation, arguing the existing Sewer Authority Mid-coastside already captures efficiencies without sacrificing local control

• Resident alleges Brown Act violation over broken website links; district counsel says the district is in compliance

• Wildfire breakthrough: Caltrans funds a mitigation project on the Montara right-of-way after a year of community advocacy

Board President Scott Boyd opened the meeting with news that had been nine years in the making: Half Moon Bay has chosen not to appeal a court ruling that dismissed every claim the city brought against the Montara and Granada sanitary districts.