Bill will bring conservation efforts, resources and safer drinking water to region
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Another piece of legislation from Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) was signed by Governor Brown today. The Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy Bill (AB 1089) will expand the Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy governing board and territory to include the Cities of Indio and Coachella.
"The cities of Indio and Coachella will now have a seat at the table. Our bill will bring the much needed resources to further conservation efforts for these two cities," said Assemblymember Garcia. "It will open the discussion to improving water quality efforts and give cities the ability to apply for Proposition 1 funds to combat chromium-6 levels, bring safer drinking water to our communities."
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. AB 1089 gives the cities of Indio and Coachella a seat at the table.
"The Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy serves a vital role in protecting the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley. Indio's voice on the board will continue the traditions of the conservancy and ensure that the City of Indio's priorities are represented," said Dan Martinez, City Manager for the City of Indio.
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.
"We are very pleased to welcome Coachella and Indio to the Conservancy's board," said Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Executive Director Jim Karpiak. "Their participation will bring critical local expertise to the board as it begins to implement its new Proposition 1 Grant Program along with its ongoing land acquisition, management and trail building projects."
