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Los Angeles County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
Smart Voter

Something to think About

By David D. De Jesus

Candidate for Board of Directors; Three Valleys Municipal Water District; Division 2

This information is provided by the candidate
Water for a growing Southern California Region will continue to challenge and test our abilities to ensure an adequate water supply.
On December 31, 2002 the US Department of Interior unfortunately followed through on their threat and reduced not California's Colorado River allocation but the surplus California had been enjoying for many years from other states like Nevada and Arizona. It's not like this took us by surprise either. Growth in the other Colorado Basin states has been on the increase and the need for water is as real for them as it is for us. What was disappointing was in the inability for other water users within California to come to an agreement that would have weaned us off the surplus over a 15-year period. At the core of the argument was the future of agricultural runoff pool called the Salton Sea and who would be responsible for the billion dollar plus cost to mitigate and ultimately restore the sea. This failure (if you can call it that) is what led to the enforcement action by the Interior. Although this issue has been partially resolved what to do about the Salton Sea and who will ultimately pay for it is still in question.

On a related note; Many years ago a project was proposed to build a canal in Northern California - to bypass the brackish seawater influenced Delta - but was rejected by the majority of the voters. Since then, variations of the canal have been considered at different levels of government only to be heavily opposed by numerous interest groups. Unfortunately, issues like these are never as simple as they seem, especially when so many envision the outcome of the problems associated with the Delta in so many different ways. Additionally, I wonder if the voters would be willing to bond a project and be taxed for it with no guaranteed relief from the lack of water supply during a drought to make sure that enough fresh water is available to "push back" the sea water as it intrudes deeper into the Delta.

Despite it all, rest assured that as a member on the MWD's Negotiating team on water supply issues for Southern California, I am actively searching for viable ways to ensure that the water delivered to the residents of Southern California is reasonably priced, adequate, and of a quality that continues to meet the growing water quality standards set by state and federal regulatory agencies. As an elected water official, I will continue to do all I can do on your behalf and in return all I ask is that you, as the consumer, do your due diligence by using what water we do have wisely and conserving whenever and wherever you can.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ME BY RESPONDING TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS OF TVMWDdiv2REP@aol.com

Thank you,

David De Jesus

Your Representative on the Three Valleys Municipal Water District (Division 2) and a Director on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

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ca/la Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 31, 2004 12:30
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