Senator Roth Fights to Block Big Money Grab of California Resource

(SACRAMENTO) – Senator Richard D. Roth is proud to author SB 120, which brings heightened scrutiny to the controversial Cadiz Water Project, in partnership with Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale).

“California is still grappling with the catastrophic impacts of the beginning of this year’s disastrous fire season; on top of that our state continues to recover from the repercussions of a historic drought. Now is not the time to imperil our water supply, especially when doing so does nothing to better protect Californians,” said Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside). “We cannot allow unchecked development to take a strangle-hold on one of our state’s most precious and fragile ecosystems.”

Senator Roth continued: “When it was brought to my attention that there is a project that is proposing to extract 50,000 acre-feet of water annually from beneath the Mojave Desert and export the water to water agencies over 200 miles away, when the United States Geological Survey indicated the region could only sustain a maximum 10,000 acre-feet, I started asking questions. Cadiz Inc.’s proposed groundwater mining is an environmental and regulatory end-run fueled by money at the expense of our most precious natural resource, water.”

SB 120 enhances protections of our state’s deserts by creating a process for the state to assess proposals to export desert groundwater to other areas of the state. This bill enjoys the support of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Governor Jerry Brown and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. SB 120 is co-authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale).

“California’s natural and cultural resources are worth protecting,” said Assemblymember Laura Friedman.  “For decades we’ve fought to defend our environment from profiteers that seek to drain our most precious resource for a quick buck.  SB 120 will preserve a vulnerable groundwater basin from any development that threatens the viability of the environment and the local economy that depends upon it.”

The California desert is home to Native American cultural importance along with scenic, historical, archeological, ecological, wildlife, scientific, educational, and recreational values used and enjoyed by millions of Americans for hiking and camping, scientific study and scenic appreciation.

“The Vet Voice Foundation would like to thank Senator Richard Roth, for seeking a commonsense solution that will ensure the long-term protection of our public lands, which provide immeasurable benefits to millions of Americans including veterans, active-duty military and their families,” said Kate Hoit The Vet Voice Foundation California Director. “We must defend the fragile water resources that sustain life in places such as Mojave Trails National Monument and Mojave National Preserve – places that we as veterans return home to, in order to find peace and healing in the outdoors.”

“Water is life, and in no place is that more clear or important than the desert,” said Michael Madrigal, Native American Land Conservancy President. “That is why the Native American Land Conservancy continues to lead efforts to resist threats to our finite resources, especially our sacred desert springs. We must defend the desert lands and waters for our heritage and for our future generations.”

“This project represents bad science,” said Megan Brousseau, Inland Empire Waterkeeper Associate Director. “We stand in solidarity with the tens of thousands of voices from Southern California and beyond, who have called to stop this unnecessary and harmful project.”

Through acts of Congress and designations by past Presidents, the California desert is home to national parks, preserves, monuments and wilderness areas that preserve the unique values and history of the California desert including but not limited to: Mojave National Preserve, Mojave Trails National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, Sheephole Valley Wilderness, and Clipper Mountains Wilderness.

“Considering the federal government has abdicated its responsibility to protect its public lands in the Mojave, it is incumbent upon this legislative body to be responsible stewards of the state and stop this boondoggle,” concluded Senator Roth.

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Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, Perris and Riverside. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General.