Bill would bring conservation efforts, resources and safer drinking water to region
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California Assembly approved a bill (AB 1089) today authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), which would expand the Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy governing board and territory, to include the Cities of Indio and Coachella.
“My Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy bill allows the Cities of Indio and Coachella to be part of the mountain conservancy and brings resources to further conservation efforts for these cities. Our bill will also open the discussion to improving water quality efforts and give the cities access to apply for Proposition 1 funds to combat chromium-6 levels and bring safer drinking water to our communities,” said Garcia.
“When first established, the Conservancy’s role was to protect the biological resources in the mountains surrounding the Coachella Valley. As a result of the Cities of Indio and Coachella being geographically located on the valley floor, they were not included on the Conservancy. When the boundaries of the Conservancy were expanded to coincide with the Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), which includes the cities of Coachella and Indio, these two cities were still not included on the Conservancy board—with AB 1089, the cities of Indio and Coachella will now have a seat at the table.”
The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) was established in 1991 via state legislation to protect the diverse ecological and biological resources of the Coachella Valley.
“Adding the cities of Indio and Coachella to the Conservancy board will assure the local communities have a role in the Conservancy’s decision making process and allow them to apply for the Conservancy’s Prop. 1 funds for water related projects, such as efforts to improve water quality in their areas,” said Jim R. Karpiak, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1089 will now be heard in the Senate in the upcoming weeks. For further information on the bill please see the attached fact sheet.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland
