Thursday March 13, 2008
Bono Mack: Hearing Positive Step
for Water Settlement Bill
Bono Mack’s Legislation Would Solve Decades of Water Disputes
Source: U.S. Representative Mary Bono
In an effort to solve a
decades-long water resources battle, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today testified
in the House Water and Power Subcommittee on her legislation, H.R. 4841, the Soboba Band
of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act of 2007, which would resolve an ongoing lawsuit over
water resources in Riverside County and has generated broad local support.
“Today’s hearing is a positive step toward resolving an issue that has been
ongoing in the courts for decades, and I am excited that a solution is finally in sight
that will benefit both the Tribe and residents in the Hemet and San Jacinto area,”
said Bono Mack. “We would not be at this point without the hard work and time
invested by the Tribe, our local water districts, and local leaders. I am proud to bring
this bill forward and am hopeful that Congress will act swiftly to bring needed and
deserved relief to the Tribe and local residents.”
According to Bono Mack, H.R. 4841 will provide long-term sustainability of the San Jacinto
River Valley's water supply by bringing new sources of water to local residents.
Robert Salgado, Chairman of the Soboba Tribe, said, “The Soboba Tribe is looking
forward to approval of H.R. 4841 by the Congress and the President to end the 150 year old
conflict and struggle over the San Jacinto Basin’s limited water resources. The Tribe
is thankful that Rep. Bono Mack recognized the detrimental effect the lack of an adequate
water supply was having on the Soboba Tribe’s livelihood and survival. The Tribe
appreciates her leadership along with the co-sponsors, in the introduction of H.R. 4841, a
bill which ensures not only the future of the Soboba Indians, but also the future of the
region’s water supply for all of the citizens in the valley.”
“The Soboba water settlement is very important to this Valley of 200,000
people,” said Marc Searl, Mayor of the City of Hemet. “Water, and water
infrastructure, are things we all take for granted. We turn on the tap and we expect it to
be there. We flush a toilet and we expect it to be gone. Congresswoman Bono Mack’s
bill provides an end to an 80-year old lawsuit, but more important, it provides a solution
to a 20,000 acre feet overdraft in the major aquifer of this valley.”
Bono Mack’s bill has generated broad local support, including the Soboba Band of
Luiseño Indians, the City of Hemet, the City of San Jacinto, the Metropolitan Water
District, Lake Hemet Water District, and Eastern Municipal Water District for its
collaborative approach that would assist both the Tribe and local residents with critical
water infrastructure needs.
Specifically, H.R. 4841 resolves a lawsuit currently pending in the United States District
Court in California – Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians v. Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California. Filed in April 2000, the lawsuit mainly sought damages and
injunctive relief for the continuing drainage of water from the Tribe’s Reservation
into Metropolitan Water District’s San Jacinto Tunnel, which was ongoing since the
Tunnel’s construction in 1932. The Tunnel was constructed by Metropolitan Water
District in order to transport water from the Colorado River to portions of southern
California. Bono Mack’s legislation would ratify the June 2006 Settlement reached by
the Tribe, Metropolitan Water District and the Eastern and Lake Hemet Municipal Water
Districts.