Metropolitan General Manager's Statement on Proposed Voluntary Water Settlement Agreements on River Flows

LOS ANGELES--()--Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issues the following statement regarding proposed voluntary settlement agreements to enhance flows and habitat restoration in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river watersheds as detailed by the Brown Administration today before the State Water Resources Control Board:

“Metropolitan strongly supports this voluntary approach to comprehensively improving the ecological health of Northern California’s great rivers. This package of enhanced flows, habitat restoration and funding presents a historic opportunity for the Board to successfully update its Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. The water agencies representing communities that rely on these rivers have stepped forward with a voluntary approach to settle this update process. Metropolitan has long supported collaborative efforts in the Sierra watersheds to better balance the water supply needs of both the environment and the economy. These voluntary settlements are a far superior way for the Water Board to advance its mission than a contentious years-long regulatory approach. Metropolitan is grateful to the Brown Administration for its tireless efforts to reach these proposed settlements and for the collaborative spirit of water agencies throughout California to find lasting solutions to our shared water challenges.”

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving nearly 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Contacts

Rebecca Kimitch
(213) 217-6450
(202) 821-5253, mobile

Maritza Fairfield
(213) 217-6853
(909) 816-7722, mobile

Contacts

Rebecca Kimitch
(213) 217-6450
(202) 821-5253, mobile

Maritza Fairfield
(213) 217-6853
(909) 816-7722, mobile