BONO MACK'S HISTORIC WATER SETTLEMENT BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
California Political Desk
August 01, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) bill to resolve an ongoing water dispute and bring a long-awaited solution to this issue for the Soboba Tribe, local residents and water districts was signed into law today by the President. 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.
"This is a historic moment for the Soboba Tribe and our entire community," said Bono Mack. "After over 75 years of hardship, legal battles and negotiation, this law will bring much-deserved relief to those who have been so significantly impacted by water deprivation and ongoing litigation.
"Water is essential to building and sustaining a community. Now that this bill has been signed into law, the Tribe and the San Jacinto Valley will benefit from new sources of water and a consensus-based solution to a very difficult situation.
"Residents throughout the region will benefit for years to come because of the hard work and collaboration by the Tribe, our local water districts, the Federal government, and local leaders. I am honored to have played a role in reaching such a positive resolution to this issue."
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act resolves a lawsuit that was pending in the United States District Court in California for years – Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Among its provisions, this law provides long-term sustainability of the San Jacinto River Valley´s water supply by bringing new sources of water to local residents. Additionally, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act assists both the Tribe and local residents with critical water infrastructure needs, according to Bono Mack.
Bono Mack´s legislation was broadly supported by Congress, 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). Bono Mack introduced the bill on December 19, 2007, and a hearing was held a few months later, in which Bono Mack and Soboba Chairman Robert Salgado were among those who testified. On May 21, 2008, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, moving it forward with a voice vote. The Senate passed Bono Mack´s bill by unanimous consent on July 23, 2008, and sent it to the President for his signature.
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 will ratify the settlement reached by the Tribe, Metropolitan Water District, EMWD and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District and settle all outstanding legal claims.
"This is a historic moment for the Soboba Tribe and our entire community," said Bono Mack. "After over 75 years of hardship, legal battles and negotiation, this law will bring much-deserved relief to those who have been so significantly impacted by water deprivation and ongoing litigation.
"Water is essential to building and sustaining a community. Now that this bill has been signed into law, the Tribe and the San Jacinto Valley will benefit from new sources of water and a consensus-based solution to a very difficult situation.
"Residents throughout the region will benefit for years to come because of the hard work and collaboration by the Tribe, our local water districts, the Federal government, and local leaders. I am honored to have played a role in reaching such a positive resolution to this issue."
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act resolves a lawsuit that was pending in the United States District Court in California for years – Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians v. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Among its provisions, this law provides long-term sustainability of the San Jacinto River Valley´s water supply by bringing new sources of water to local residents. Additionally, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act assists both the Tribe and local residents with critical water infrastructure needs, according to Bono Mack.
Bono Mack´s legislation was broadly supported by Congress, 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). Bono Mack introduced the bill on December 19, 2007, and a hearing was held a few months later, in which Bono Mack and Soboba Chairman Robert Salgado were among those who testified. On May 21, 2008, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, moving it forward with a voice vote. The Senate passed Bono Mack´s bill by unanimous consent on July 23, 2008, and sent it to the President for his signature.
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 will ratify the settlement reached by the Tribe, Metropolitan Water District, EMWD and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District and settle all outstanding legal claims.
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