BONO MACK'S LANDMARK WATER SETTLEMENT BILL PASSES SENATE, ON TRACK TO BECOME LAW
California Political Desk
July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Approved by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) bill to resolve decades of water disputes and bring much-deserved reparation for the Soboba Tribe and local residents is now heading to the President's desk for his signature. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act of 2007, H.R. 4841, will put an end to over 75 years of litigation and create new sources of water for residents in Riverside County. Bono Mack´s legislation is broadly supported by local leaders and residents, 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 (EMWD).
"I am thrilled an agreement has been reached that will benefit the many individuals and families impacted by this ongoing water dispute," said Bono Mack. "We would not be at this point without the many years of hard work and cooperation by the Tribe, our local water districts and local leaders. It is because of their efforts that such a favorable outcome is within reach.
"As Californians, we all know how precious water is; it is the lifeblood of a community, sustaining life, agriculture and the local economy. I applaud the Senate for taking action on this bill that will make such a difference to our community."
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act will resolve a lawsuit currently pending in the United States District Court in California – Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Among its provisions, the bill will provide long-term sustainability of the San Jacinto River Valley's water supply by bringing new sources of water to local residents. Additionally, H.R. 4841 will assist both the Tribe and local residents with critical water infrastructure needs, according to Bono Mack.
BACKGROUND: In 1932, Metropolitan Water District´s San Jacinto Tunnel was constructed in order to transport water from the Colorado River to portions of Southern California. Leakage into the Tunnel, however, drained the water from the wells on the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians´ reservation. The lawsuit, filed in April 2000, sought damages and injunctive relief for the continuing drainage of water from the Tribe´s Reservation into the Tunnel. Bono Mack´s legislation would ratify this settlement reached by the Tribe, Metropolitan Water District, EMWD and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District.
"I am thrilled an agreement has been reached that will benefit the many individuals and families impacted by this ongoing water dispute," said Bono Mack. "We would not be at this point without the many years of hard work and cooperation by the Tribe, our local water districts and local leaders. It is because of their efforts that such a favorable outcome is within reach.
"As Californians, we all know how precious water is; it is the lifeblood of a community, sustaining life, agriculture and the local economy. I applaud the Senate for taking action on this bill that will make such a difference to our community."
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act will resolve a lawsuit currently pending in the United States District Court in California – Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Among its provisions, the bill will provide long-term sustainability of the San Jacinto River Valley's water supply by bringing new sources of water to local residents. Additionally, H.R. 4841 will assist both the Tribe and local residents with critical water infrastructure needs, according to Bono Mack.
BACKGROUND: In 1932, Metropolitan Water District´s San Jacinto Tunnel was constructed in order to transport water from the Colorado River to portions of Southern California. Leakage into the Tunnel, however, drained the water from the wells on the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians´ reservation. The lawsuit, filed in April 2000, sought damages and injunctive relief for the continuing drainage of water from the Tribe´s Reservation into the Tunnel. Bono Mack´s legislation would ratify this settlement reached by the Tribe, Metropolitan Water District, EMWD and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District.
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