Support Continues to Mount for SBVWCD’s Fight Against Consolidation

The West Valley Water District shows overwhelming support for the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District

RIALTO, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ — At its board meeting on Thursday the West Valley Water District voted to take a position on the proposed consolidation between the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (SBVWCD) and the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (MUNI). This is the second time the West Valley Water District has decided to show support for the Conservation District and opposes the consolidation process, known as LAFCO 3076.

The West Valley Water District joins the City of Highland and the East Valley Water District in strongly opposing the consolidation. The City of Loma Linda recently voted to take a “neutral” position, joining the City of San Bernardino and the City of Redlands with similar “neutral” positions. “The cities of Redlands and San Bernardino formerly supported the consolidation, but are now seriously questioning the financial integrity of the deal,” says SBVWCD Board President Melody McDonald. “They are concerned, and rightfully so, about our local water supply being exported.”

The Conservation District is responsible for recharging the Bunker Hill Basin, which allows cities like Loma Linda and East Valley Water District to pump water to supply their constituents. In addition, the District manages environmental habitats for sensitive, threatened and endangered species on a majority of its 2600 acres of property. “We are appreciative of the board members at West Valley who realize how important the Conservation District is to the efficient and effective management of our groundwater basin,” stated SBVWCD General Manager Robert Neufeld. Neufeld added, “There aren’t very many agencies out there that have such a narrow focus as we do at the Conservation District, and we have continued to maintain that focus for the past 77 years.”

The Local Agency Formation Commission of San Bernardino County regulates the boundaries of cities and most local districts, including annexations of territory, consolidations and other changes and formations. In addition, LAFCO reviews ways to reorganize, simplify and streamline governmental structures and services. Since 2006, LAFCO of San Bernardino County has been reviewing a proposal to consolidate SBVWCD and MUNI. LAFCO has placed the item for consolidation on its July 15th agenda.

About SBVWCD:

Since 1912, the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District and its predecessor have worked to conserve water by diverting the natural flow of the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek into percolation basins that the District owns and operates. The District also assists in the management of the Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin–the major source of water supply for local communities. These conservation activities prevent the loss of high quality local surface water. Recharging groundwater is only one facet of the services provided by the District. To learn more about groundwater, conservation, water balancing and management in the San Bernardino Valley, log on to www.sbvwcd.dst.ca.us or call 909.793.2503.

SOURCE San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District