Bill to Protect the Mojave Clears Legislature

Senate Bill 307 cleared its final legislative hurdle, passing the Assembly floor by a vote of 49-23. SB 307 protects the California Mojave National Preserve by hitting the pause button on Cadiz Inc.’s proposed water extraction project in the desert. Doing so will ensure the project’s conflicting, underlying science is reviewed and reconciled so we do not allow irreparable harm to our fragile desert ecosystem. Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) are principal co-authors. A controversial pumping project backed by Cadiz, Inc. proposes to pump an average of 50,000 acre-feet of water per year for 50 years from the Mojave to sell to water districts up to 200 miles away in Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties for profit. The water can also be used to permit 100,000 new homes with the promise of water for 400,000 residents. The problem – there are serious conflicts in the science concerning the recharge rate for the aquifers, which could lead to dire consequences for this precariously balanced ecosystem. “This project has been stalled for more than 20 years because, quite simply, it doesn’t work. Cadiz’s own scientific reports affirm they will be pulling more water from the aquifer than nature puts back in – in fact, about 6 billion gallons of water per year. On top of that, the United States Geological Survey and the National Park Service say the recharge rate is closer to 2,000 to 10,000 acre-feet per year – at least 40,000 acre-feet per year less than the Cadiz plan,” said Senator Roth. “The math just doesn’t add up!” SB 307 has received enthusiastic support from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Labor Leader Dolores Huerta, and a host of groups that advocate for environmental protections and justice. Additionally, it has been favorably editorialized by the Los Angeles Times. “It's critical that independent scientists are allowed to review the scientific evidence to resolve the conflict. I am pleased the legislature approved SB 307 to protect a National Treasure – the Mojave – from man-made destruction,” continued Senator Roth. “Simply put, we cannot afford to get this wrong.” SB 307 now advances to Governor Gavin Newsom for final consideration.