NID News Release

March 10, 2010

Contact: Ron Nelson (530)273-6185 Or Dave Carter (530)265-NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRASS VALLEY – Timothy Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) was in Grass Valley on Wednesday (Mar. 10) to brief the Nevada Irrigation District Board of Directors on statewide water issues. Quinn, who represents an association of nearly 450 public agencies, was invited to the meeting by NID General Manager Ron Nelson, who is a member and vice chairman of ACWA Region 3. “All of our member

Agencies have local concerns and different views,” said Quinn. “We work to bring them all together. It’s important for all of us to be aware of important statewide issues.” Quinn said California remains in a water crisis and that the historic water legislation passed last November by the state legislature is not perfect, but a good start in bringing equal status to water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration. “We’ve never had a policy like this before,” he noted. “All the pieces are in place for the first time.”

Water policy issues addressed by the legislature would be funded through an $11.14 billion bond issue that is scheduled to go before California voters in November. If passed, the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010 would provide funding to water projects throughout California, including the Sierra Nevada. Quinn said the timing of the bond issue is “not ideal” but he is hopeful an informed electorate will see the necessity of long term water supply investment. “Two generations ago, our grandparents built this statewide water system that has served California well,” Quinn said. “It’s up to us to make sure it’s there and working well for our grandchildren.”

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