EXETER, Calif. — At its May meeting, this past Wednesday, the Board of Directors for California Citrus Mutual unanimously agreed to endorse and financially support the Water Supply & Quality Act of 2018.
“The debacle with the State Water Commission and Prop 1 funding energized our board to engage in the effort to sustain water for food production, drinking water for communities, and provide economic vitality to regions of the state that are being ignored by Sacramento regulatory agencies,” states CCM President Joel Nelsen.
CCM was actively involved in the passage of Prop 1 and the agreement to create water. Grower directors have professed outrage over the interpretations made by staff members in Sacramento that thwarted the agreements reached by the Governor’s office, the legislature, and stakeholder groups within the state.
“While we will continue to seek a solution path for Prop 1, seizing this opportunity was elevated to a higher priority as the previous agreement was negated by individuals in cubicles to the detriment of several million people,” Nelsen continues. “This Act solves water conveyance efficiency issues, creates pathways to better utilize existing supplies while helping local government and the environment.”
CCM directors noted in their discussion that proponents have been very transparent during their deliberations as they attempted to craft a proposition that benefits the many. They have addressed concerns, incorporated new ideas, and sought input from diverse stakeholders. “Myopic naysayers will emerge,” Nelsen concludes, “and to overcome those challenges CCM issues its endorsement now and will forward $50,000 to assist in the campaign.”
About California Citrus Mutual: California Citrus Mutual is a citrus producers’ voluntary membership trade association representing a $3.3 billion industry with an economic impact of $7.1 billion according to a recent University of California study. Seventy five percent of the industry’s tree crop base supports the organization and its efforts to create a better economic environment for the industry.
–California Citrus Mutual
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