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Assemblywoman Garcia defends her bills to potentially change water codes; if passed, it could see two seats added to the IID from Coachella Valley

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 30, 2008 at 10:18 am

From the Imperial Valley Press:

On Friday, Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia defended two bills she has authored that could potentially change California Water Codes and directly affect the Imperial Irrigation District. During a meeting held at the El Centro Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Garcia took on a barrage of questions and concerns by IID representatives and local business people about the bills.

One of the issues was in regard to a 99-year agreement between the IID and the Coachella Valley Water District that expires in 2033. “Why is it important for you, as an outgoing elected official, to bring this up now?” El Centro Chamber chief executive officer Cathy Kennerson asked.

“When the issue was first brought up a few years ago, it was decided that it was not a good time to bring it up,” Garcia said. “Now, this was an issue raised by the consumers, not the water districts. “This is about doing what’s best for the community and not waiting until we have a lawsuit,” she said. “I don’t need to load my own gun and shoot myself on the way out.”

Part of the legislature could also see two seats added to the IID Board of Directors from the Coachella Valley.

IID Director John Pierre Menvielle said by introducing her bills, Garcia would be pitting the Coachella Valley against the Imperial Valley. She called the IID reckless, but I believe she is the one being reckless in trying to pass this legislation on changing the water code,” Menvielle said.

Read the rest of this story from the Imperial Valley Press by clicking here.

March 30, 2008 · Filed Under Imperial Irrigation District & Imperial Valley, Other Water Agencies, Water Agency News (all)

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