BONO INTRODUCES LEGISLATION BENEFITTING CONSUMERS AND AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

WASHINGTON, DC - Taking the lead to advance the Rancho California Water District's Regional Integrated Resources Plan, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) sponsored legislation with co-sponsors Congressmen Darrell Issa (CA-49), Jerry Lewis (CA-41), and Ken Calvert (CA-44) that will meet local water demands until 2050; and benefit both consumers and the agriculture industry.

The bill, H.R. 1725, takes a crucial step to address the increasing water needs for the City of Temecula, portions of the City of Murrieta and unincorporated areas of southwest Riverside County, which are all continuing to experience rapid growth.

"Water is precious commodity to the Riverside County region and the protection of this resource is of paramount importance for our community and local business," expressed Bono. "This legislation will expand infrastructure to utilize more recycled water and resolves any interruption in water supply that often places our local agriculture industry at risk."

The Rancho California Resources Plan will consist of three project components. The first project involves the construction of the Vail Lake Pipeline that will expand local water supply and optimize storage at Vail Lake. The pipeline will transport raw water from Metropolitan Water District's aqueduct. The cost savings as a result of expanded water storage will be approximately $200/acre-feet.

At an estimated cost of $19 million, the second project component will construct a delivery system from Vail Lake to convert vineyard and citrus irrigation to raw water use, and provide a savings of $200/acre-feet to the Rancho California Water District.

"The sustainability of our agriculture community is dependant on water accessibility and cost," said Bono. "This important project will permit our local agricultural economy to continue and thrive."

The final component will allow local farmers to use water within the existing watershed for their citrus, wine grape, and avocado crops. This new reuse of recycled water will provide a non-interruptible, sustainable supply of water to the local agricultural industry.

"While this legislation ensures future water resources for Southwest Riverside, it is equally critical that local residents and business communities continue to practice water conservation," added Bono.

Supporters of H.R. 1725 include: Metropolitan Water District, Eastern Municipal Water District, Western Municipal Water District, Sunkist Growers, California Avocado Commission, The Nature Conservancy, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.