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Imperial Group thwarted by ruling; “asks IID to partner with the Imperial Group to seize state funding for the Salton Sea restoration”

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on October 31, 2008 at 5:29 am

From the Imperial Valley Press:

A judge struck down the Imperial Group’s latest move in its lawsuit against the Imperial Irrigation District because it violated court procedure, IID attorney Jeff Garber said. “It was inconsistent with (the judge’s) orders,” Garber said of the group’s complaint.

A formal order will be released in about a week with the judge’s decision, but Garber said he made his intentions clear in a hearing Thursday.

This case has been dragging on for years - the Imperial Group first sued IID in 2004. In an interesting twist, apparently the Imperial Group wants to seize state funding for the Salton Sea restoration (is that even possible?) Check it out:

Meanwhile, as the court case inches along, the Imperial Group has sent a letter to Garber requesting IID recognize “common ground” it shares with the Imperial Group. The letter states IID has made public statements indicating it supports state funding for Salton Sea restoration and straight-line allocation for water rationing, two positions the letter says the Imperial Group agrees with.

The letter then asks IID to partner with the Imperial Group to seize state funding for the Salton Sea restoration. For the water allocation, the letter asks IID “authorize the technical people on all sides to a free exchange of information so that real-world solutions can be found.” It goes on to state the Imperial Group is not interested in an agreement that provides litigation relief, only one that resolves “real-world issues.”

Garber said the letter serves no legal purpose, and further, he does not see the point in IID partnering with a group that is suing it.

“It is impossible to comprehend the meaning of all of (Imperial Group attorney) Mr. (Patrick) Maloney’s comments in this letter,” Garber said. “Of course, IID strongly desires that the state fulfill its obligation to restore the Salton Sea. However, Mr. Maloney’s suggestion that IID partner with his clients, who are now suing IID, to seize state assets is pretty bizarre.”

More from the Imperial Valley Press by clicking here.

October 31, 2008 · Filed Under Imperial Irrigation District & Imperial Valley, Salton Sea

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