The Yucca Valley Town Council last week went on record as being opposed to the State of California’s proposal that the state’s western Joshua trees be provided with with protection from uprooting and destruction.
On April 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in reaction to an assertion by the Center For Biological Diversity that the desert-specific yucca brevifolia, as the Joshua tree is known scientifically, has been brought closer to extinction by development, climate change, drought and increasing numbers of wildfires, recommended that its board of commissioners take action to list it as an endangered species.
The trees have been afforded some level of protection within Joshua Tree National Park, which lies within San Bernardino County. However, outside the park, off-road vehicle use, cattle grazing, powerlines and pipelines and large-scale energy projects are destroying its habitat. Approximately 40 percent of the western Joshua tree’s range in California is on private land, with only a minute percentage protected from development. The Center For Biological Diversity has projected that virtually all of this habitat will be lost without stronger legal protections for the trees.
“The California Endangered Species Act may be the only hope for saving these iconic symbols of the Mojave Desert,” said Brendan Cummings of the Center For Biological Diversity.
A portion of the desert population, including those with a degree power and authority, disagree.
Yucca Valley Town Manager Shane Stueckle in a report dated May 14 told the council, “The California Fish and Game Commission has been petitioned to list the Joshua tree as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act. The commission is scheduled to consider the petition at [its] meeting of June 24 and 25, 2020.”
Stueckle is among those who consider the listing of the tree as an endangered species to be an overreaction. He suggested that the town council register its opposition to the listing being made, and he took the liberty of composing a letter for Yucca Valley Town Mayor Jeff Drozd’s signature. Stueckle’s request that the town make an official objection to the listing proposal and authorize the sending of the letter was taken up by the town council at its May 19 meeting.
Monica Zimarik, the president of the Joshua Tree Gateway Association of Realtors, told the council, “We are strongly in opposition to this petition, but we are in support of the mayor’s letter. While the beautiful Joshua Tree is our association’s namesake and we want to protect them for many generations, not at the expense of homeowner rights and our future generations’ ability to purchase affordable housing. Joshua Trees are already protected. In fact, there’s over 2.3 million acres of the Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Preserve. They are protected habitats. So, my question is to you, ‘Who is going to protect our small community of home- and landowners?’ This petition would strip away rights of owners and give them to an already-protected species. This will cause prices to skyrocket.”
Art Miller said that the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce was “in strong opposition” to the petition for protection, and he warned of catastrophe if the Joshua Tree was declared an endangered species, saying, “This is going to be devastating for this whole area.”
Councilman Rick Denison, participating in the meeting remotely, said the city’s commitment to “environmental stewardship” was something done in cooperation with developers, and he reasoned that “what were doing right now doesn’t include cooperation.” He said it was a “blanket order” for the entire state of California with no concessions made for specific areas such as Yucca Valley. “Projects would be hindered,” said Denison. “The costs would be too much for people to build within our community.”
Councilman Merl Abel said, “We all have a love for our ecosystem up here,” but he said declaring the Joshua tree to be an endangered species was “overreaching and would really, really hurt so many people. This would only add to the cost of developing a single-family home.” He said the city had adequate safeguards for the tree.
Councilman Jim Schooler said, “I would agree we already have sufficient protections in place.”
Councilman Robert Lombardo said the state’s proposed action constitutes “overburdensome regulation. It will just add extreme burden to the town for the development of the town and infrastructure without any real benefit to the Joshua trees in our area.”
Mayor Jeff Drozd said he believed Yucca Valley had more Joshua trees than the unincorporated community of Joshua Tree.
Of the proposal to have the state officially declare the tree as an endangered species, Drozd said, “I would not be against [the state’s action] if it didn’t include cities, towns and private land. If it was only public land, that’s fine, but cities and towns have to survive, they have to operate, and that’s part of my reasoning.” He said the state layering further protection onto the tree was “just adding more red tape and cost.”
In accordance with a motion by Councilman Abel, the council voted unanimously to authorize Drozd to sign the letter and have it sent to the State. It was not clear from the council meeting broadcast who had seconded the motion.
The letter, in part, reads, “The Town of Yucca Valley, possibly more than any other community in the state, values the integration of the desert environment, including the Joshua Tree and other unique desert plants, into our continued development as a community. As evidenced by our Town logo, as well as our general plan vision and values, the desert environment is woven into the fabric of this community. After careful consideration however, the Yucca Valley Town Council is in strong opposition to the petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity to list the western Joshua tree as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act.”
Further, the letter says that “the western Joshua tree is not presently threatened with extinction. As such, the petition predicts a future decline due to global climate change. The proposed listing is based upon theory and modeling efforts, not current scientific facts as they exist today. To place the conservation requirements onto private property owners prior to governmental agencies attempting to collaborate and cooperate in implementing effective conservation efforts is neither good public policy nor good governance. Placing significant financial burdens on private landowners will not address the theoretical decline in the species as outlined in the petition. The California desert is comprised of rural, underserved communities that face economic challenges unlike other areas of our state.”
The letter continues, “Imposition of the State Endangered Species Act will create unnecessary impediments, as well as greatly increased costs, to the delivery of these much-needed infrastructure systems throughout the Morongo Basin. In many cases, these limitations upon infrastructure development will prevent the agencies from delivering much needed housing development, transportation network capacity enhancements and job creation through commercial development opportunities. Placing significant constrains and financial burdens on infrastructure development in the Morongo Basin will not address the theoretical decline in the species as outlined in the petition. While we appreciate the commission’s role in administering the California Endangered Species Act, it is equally important to recognize when conflicting state public policies create an untenable framework within which the town must navigate. I urge you to consider the significant impacts this will have on rural desert communities including the Town of Yucca Valley, and respectfully ask that you deny this petition.”
-Mark Gutglueck

The United States Environmental Protection Agency yesterday announced a $196 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to the Chino-based Inland Empire Utilities Agency. The loan is to be used to assist in financing expanded wastewater treatment capacity in the face of explosive population growth on the west side of the county.
The Inland Empire Utilities Agency operates regional water recycling facilities, including sewer plants and desalters, at its primary corporate grounds, located at 6063 Kimball Ave.
The federal loan will be used to expand the operations and capacity of the agency’s Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP-5). The project will increase the plant’s liquids treatment capacity by 50 percent over its current capability and construct a new solids handling facility. The liquids treatment capacity of RP-5 will be go from 15 million gallons per day to 22.5 million gallons per day to support expected service area growth. The new solids handling facility replaces the existing facility at Regional Water Recycling Plant #2 as the existing facility will be within the Prado floodplain once the Prado Dam spillway height is increased. The project will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area.
“The ongoing drought conditions in the Inland Empire and across California make it more important than ever to ensure local water supplies are reliable, safe and clean,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This $196 million water infrastructure loan from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help the Inland Empire Utilities Agency expand its wastewater treatment capacity. The increase in local supply means our community will be less beholden to outside sources, and more water secure in the years to come.”
“Our region knows all too well the importance of preparing for droughts and investing in our water infrastructure,” said Congressman Pete Aguilar. “This funding will help the Inland Empire manage our water resources wisely in order to be better prepared for dry years. As the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to support these types of investments in communities like San Bernardino County.”
“Not only will this project provide residents with an additional local water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “Particularly in arid areas like San Bernardino County, these infrastructure improvements will pay dividends decades into the future.”
“The RP-5 Expansion Project will expand the treatment capacity of the existing facility to support the continued growth in western San Bernardino County, and will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area,” said IEUA Board President Kati Parker. “Since 2000, IEUA has been able to leverage state and federal partnerships to help fund critical infrastructure projects and keep our wastewater rates among the lowest in Southern California. The WIFIA loan will continue our successful federal partnership with the EPA and provide 49 percent [of the project cost] in low-interest financing for the RP-5 Expansion Project.”
The project will cost $450 million. EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan will finance 43.5 percent of that figure—up to $196 million. Additionally, California State Water Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund will finance approximately $100 million with the remaining project funds coming from a combination of borrower funds and grants. The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan will save the Inland Empire Utilities Agency an estimated $153 million compared to typical bond financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create 1,280 jobs.
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term and low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects.
“Through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, EPA is playing a key role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “With this transaction closing, EPA has now issued 21 WIFIA loans totaling $4.4 billion in credit assistance to help finance $9.8 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 21,000 jobs.”

By Sherry Elshaug and Mark Gutglueck
Robert Allen Shuey, the violent career criminal whose savage attack on Alex Opmanis in January 2019 precipitated the July 2019 fatal shooting of Shuey’s friend Sammy Davis, was arrested on May 21 for battery with serious bodily injury, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Shuey’s penchant for methamphetamine use, drug dealing, theft, and assault has resulted in no fewer than 17 criminal charges having been filed against him in his 29 years, concluding so far in convictions on three felonies and four misdemeanors. Two felony assault cases are currently pending against him, including that one stemming from his most current arrest.
Last year and earlier this year, Shuey’s infamy escalated as his role as a catalyst in the death of Davis, 28, last July, came to light in the aftermath of Opmanis’s arrest and the filing of murder charges against him.
The events which triggered the July 11, 2019 shooting go back more than six months prior to that. In January 2019, Opmanis, then 27, who had previously made the acquaintance of Shuey, now 29, through their mutual interest in dirt bike riding, was at the Dogwood bar in Blue Jay. Shuey, who lived not too distant from the bar, invited Opmanis, who had been drinking heavily, to come to his home. Opmanis at some point vomited while he was at Shuey’s house, after which a fight ensued. Opmanis was beaten severely and required hospitalization as a result, losing a portion of his vision in his left eye. The doctors treating him considered it necessary to insert a plate in his head because a portion of his skull had collapsed.
Encouraged by his family, Opmanis filed a civil suit against Shuey. The filing of the suit antagonized Shuey, an avid motorcyclist and gang member against whom the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office alone had filed no fewer than 17 criminal charges, having obtained felony convictions for burglary, illegal firearms possession and drug dealing, as well as reduced or misdemeanor convictions for theft, auto theft, possession of drugs and assault. In addition, Shuey has a reputation for fighting with and stabbing people. During the February-to-June 2019 timeframe, Shuey made repeated threats against Opmanis and his family, on occasion in public places and in public situations. In reaction, Opmanis obtained a handgun, a Glock 27 .40 caliber, which he stored unloaded in a lockbox below the passenger side seat of his vehicle, a black 2000 Mercedes. He kept the magazine for the gun separately in the glove compartment.
On July 11, 2019 Shuey and another avid motorcyclist, Shane Codman, then 28, had ridden their motorcycles down from the mountain communities first to Corona and then to a “Bike Night” in Riverside, where they met up with Sammy Davis around 6 p.m., in the course of which they were consuming alcohol. The three left Riverside around 8 p.m., riding their motorcycles to return to the mountains. They intended to stop at Goodwin’s Market in Crestline to purchase hamburger and beer before going to Shuey’s home in Blue Jay.
Meanwhile, Opmanis had gone to Goodwin’s Market, located at at 24089 Lake Gregory Drive in Crestline. An external security camera at Goodwin’s Market, operated by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Clear Protection Services, Inc. shows Opmanis driving into the store’s parking lot at 8:49 p.m., and an internal camera also operated by Clear Protection shows him coming into the store at 8:52 p.m., accompanied by two individuals, one identified as Osvaldo Nuno and another known only as Johnny. Davis, Shuey and Codman arrived at Goodwin’s Market at 9:02 p.m., as recorded by the store’s external security camera, and are seen coming into the store at 9:04 p.m. While Opmanis knew both Shuey and Codman, he had no previous encounters with Davis and did not know him.
According to an individual speaking on behalf of Clear Protection Services, the video surveillance system in place at Goodwin’s Market consists of several cameras, all of which run continuously and are not triggered by motion sensors or any other devices which interrupt the video surveillance.
The most telling piece of evidence in the case involving Opmanis is the video taken from one of the store’s external cameras which has the parking space where Opmanis’s Mercedes is parked very close to the center of its field of perspective. The store’s other cameras, while useful in putting the events of that evening in a temporal order, do not actually capture the shooting itself.
At 9:06 p.m., Opmanis, Nuno and Johnny are shown on the internal and then the external cameras leaving the store. Thereafter, Opmanis puts groceries into his Mercedes. Between 9:08 p.m. and 9:09 p.m., the external video shows Opmanis talking to Nuno and Johnny while they are seated in Johnny’s vehicle, which is parked proximate to Opmanis’s Mercedes. Johnny and Nuno in their vehicle drive out of the camera’s field of view.
The external camera shows Sammy Davis emerging from the store at 9:09 p.m., at which point he lights a cigarette and spots Opmanis. The camera’s audio picks up Davis yelling at Opmanis, “It’s on you, punk.” At 9:10 p.m. on the external video, Opmanis can be seen standing on the running board of his Mercedes and remaining regardful of Davis, Shuey and Codman.
At 9:11 p.m., the video shows Johnny and Nuno pull back into the parking lot and park, lights on, behind Opmanis’s black Mercedes SUV.
Between 9:11:36 p.m. and 9:11:44 p.m, Opmanis is outside his vehicle looking in the direction of the bikers. Shortly thereafter, the audio on the video captures the sound of the three bikers starting their motors. Between 9:12:06 p.m. and 9:12:24 p.m. the motorbikes’ engines are rumbling loudly. Between 9:12:26 p.m. and 9:13:20 p.m., amidst revving motorcycle engines, the bikers, with Shuey in the lead, begin to move out from the parking lot, crossing in front of the Mercedes. As they pass, Shuey can be seen flipping Opmanis off with his right hand, which causes his motorcycle to momentarily swerve while he is making the hand gesture. This provokes Opmanis, who responds by himself flipping Shuey off and, it appears, honking his horn. Codman and Davis honk back and turn hard left to confront Opmanis, who can be seen kicking the shopping cart return holder. Shuey briefly exits the parking lot, but then makes an immediate U-turn to return to the parking lot, joining Codman, who yet has his helmet on and is in a verbal exchange with Opmanis. Sammy Davis is at that point parked near the rear of Opmanis’s Mercedes SUV. Shuey pulls in and parks in between Codman and Davis, at the front of Alex’s SUV. Between 9:13:20 p.m. and 9:13:28 p.m. on the video, Opmanis is surrounded by the three bikers. Opmanis is a few feet from the driver’s door where he was previously standing, and it appears he is having a loud and animated exchange with Davis and Codman as Shuey has arrived. Davis dismounts from his bike. Between 9:13:28 p.m. and 9:13:40 p.m., twelve seconds are cut from the video that was presented to the court as evidence during Opmanis’s preliminary hearing. From 9:13:40 p.m. to 9:13:48 p.m., Shuey removes his helmet, dismounts from his bike, and approaches Opmanis. Davis is at the rear of the Mercedes at the same time as Shuey takes off his helmet and his jacket. He then dismounts his bike. Shuey, wearing a short-sleeved black shirt and jeans, and Davis, wearing jeans and a short-sleeved black shirt with a large white graphic on its front, are seen on the video approaching Opmanis, it appears aggressively. Codman remains on his motorcycle to the far right in the video camera’s field. Market patrons are scattered about, with cars coming and going and other commotion. There is a two second overlap from the last to the next video segment, which runs form 9:13:46 p.m. to 9:13:56 p.m. In it, Shuey is approaching Opmanis, who is toward the rear of the SUV and makes his way back to the front driver’s side door that is open, as Sammy Davis at first moves in but then circles around the back side of Shuey. At that point, it appears that the assault on Opmanis begins, followed by a crucial 12-second gap in the video that was presented as evidence during Opmanis’s preliminary hearing. When the video resumes at 9:14:08 p.m., the physical altercation between Opmanis and Davis is in full swing more toward the rear of the SUV than the front. A shopping cart or carts can be heard rattling violently in the shopping cart corral next to Opmanis’s vehicle. Shuey approaches the fight as Davis and Opmanis appear to be hunched over and struggling. The fight between them moves toward the front of Opmanis’s SUV. Shuey has his phone out with its light engaged, and appears to be videoing the fight. Two shots are heard. Nuno gets out of the passenger side of Johnny’s vehicle, still parked behind Opmanis’s Mercedes SUV with the lights on. Nuno immediately returns to the vehicle and Johnny speeds off. Shuey runs away and ducks behind a parked car. Shuey is crouching down approximately eight to ten feet away from where Davis was shot, very close to the SUV.
After the shooting, between 9:14:30 and 9:15:00, Opmanis can be heard attempting to summon help. “Someone call an ambulance! Please call for help,” Opmanis is heard saying on the video that was presented as evidence during his preliminary hearing. When Opmanis produces his phone to make a call and Shuey begins moving toward him, however, Opmanis yells, “Get back! Get Back!” and gestures strongly to Shuey. Someone can be heard saying, “He’s dying.” At that point, Opmanis beckons to Codman, “Shane! Help! Shane, come help me.” Shuey momentarily crouches behind a vehicle.
By 9:17 p.m., a woman, later identified as an off-duty nurse, is seen on the video attempting to administer to Davis. The nurse later reported that Davis reeked of alcohol.
Also by 9:17 p.m., Codman mounted his bike and rode off.
Shuey, however remained at the scene for more than four minutes following the shooting, at one point retrieving something from Davis’s person or next to him. He then made a hand gesture towards Opmanis, put his helmet on, started his motorcycle and rode away at 9:18 p.m.
Opmanis, who was originally represented by attorney Jeffrey Lawrence, subsequently by David Striker of the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office and now by attorney Mark Geragos, has pleaded not guilty, asserting he was acting in self defense.
Davis, too, had an extensive criminal record, including a 2012 conviction for burglary, a 2011 conviction for receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor conviction for public intoxication, and a 2008 felony conviction for burglary. Just prior to the shooting, Davis had been released from prison after serving a portion of a sentence for assault.
Shuey’s arrest last week, on May 21, on charges of burglary together with assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury was made at 27115 State Highway 189 in Blue Jay by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies working out of the Twin Peaks sheriff’s substation
Shuey is yet facing felony assault charges stemming from a 2016 incident in which he severely beat a security guard, Pedro Chavez, who was working the grounds of the Lake Arrowhead Marina at the time. Shuey, who was inebriated, assaulted Chavez because he believed the security guard was flirting with his girlfriend.
It remains to be seen whether Geragos will be able to get the record with regard to Shuey’s repeated arrests for assault into the record once Opmanis’s trial begins.

The Yucca Valley Town Council last week went on record as being opposed to the State of California’s proposal that the western Joshua trees be provided with with protection from uprooting and destruction.

On April 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in reaction to an assertion by the Center For Biological Diversity that the desert-specific yucca brevifolia, as the Joshua tree is known scientifically, has been brought closer to extinction by development, climate change, drought and increasing numbers of wildfires, recommended that its board of commissioners take action to give

list it as an endangered species.

The trees have been afforded some level of protection within Joshua Tree National Park, which lies within San Bernardino County. However, outside the park off-road vehicle use, cattle grazing, powerlines and pipelines and large-scale energy projects are destroying its habitat. Approximately 40 percent of the western Joshua tree’s range in California is on private land, with only a minute percentage protected from development. The Center For Biological Diversity has projected that virtually all of this habitat will be lost without stronger legal protections for the trees.
“The California Endangered Species Act may be the only hope for saving these iconic symbols of the Mojave Desert,” said Brendan Cummings of the Center For Biological Diversity.

A portion of the desert population, including those with a degree power and authority.

Yucca Valley Town Manager Shane Stueckle in a report dated May14 told the council, “The California Fish and Game Commission has been petitioned to list the Joshua tree as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act. The commission is scheduled to consider the petition at [its] meeting of June 24 and 25, 2020.

Stueckle is among those who consider the listing of the tree as an endangered species to be an overreaction. He suggested that the town council register its opposition to the listing being made, and he took the liberty of composing a letter for Yucca Valley Town Mayor Jeff Drozd’s signature. Stueckle’s request that the town make an official objection to the listing proposal and sending the letter was taken up by the town council at its May 19 meeting.

Monica Zimarki, the president of the Joshua Tree Gateway Association of Realtors told the council ‘we are strongly in opposition to this petition but wee are in support of the mayor’s letter. While the beautifiul Joshua Tree is our association’s namesake and we want to protect them for many generations, not at the expense of homeowner rights and our future generations’ ability to purchase affordable housing. Joshua Trees are already protected. In fact, there’s ver 2.3 million acres of the Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Preserve. They are protected habitats. So, my question is to you, ‘Who is going to protect our small community of home- and landowners?’ This petition would strip away rights of owners and give them to an already-protected species. This will cause prices to skyrocket.”

Art Miller said that the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce was “in strong opposition” to the petition for protection, and he warned of catastrophe if the Joshua Tree was declared an endangered species, saying, “This is going to be devastating for this whole area.”

Councilman Rick Denison, participating in the meeting remotely said the city’s commitment to “environmental stewardship” was something done in cooperation with developers and he reasoned that “what were ding right now doesn’t; include cooperation.” He said it was a “blanket order” for the entire state of California with no concessions made for specific areas such as Yucca Valley. “Projects would be hindered,” said Denison. “The costs would be too much for people to build within our community.”

Councilman Merl Abel said, “We all have a love for our ecosystem up here,” but said declaring the Joshua tree to be an endangered species was “overreaching and would really, really hurt so many people. This would only add to the cost of developing a single-family home.” He said the city had adequate safeguards for the tree.

Councilman Jim Schooler said, “I would agree we already have sufficient protections in place.”

“Robert Lombardo said the state’s proposed action constitute “overburdensome regulation. It will just add extreme burden to the town for the development of the town and infrastructure without any real benefit to the Joshusa tree in our area,” Lombardo said.

Mayor Jeff Drozd said he believed Yucca Valley had more Joshua Trees than the unincorporated community of Joshua Tree.

Of the proposal to have the state officially declare the tree as an endangered species, Drozd said, “I would not be against [the state’s action] if it didn’t include cities, towns and private land. If it was only public land, that’s fine, but cities and towns have to survive, they have to operate, and that’s part of my reasoning. He said the states layering further protection onto the tree was “just adding more red tape and cost.”

In accordance with a motion by Councilman Abel the council voted unanimously to authorize Drozd to sign the letter and have it sent to the State. It was not clear from the broadcast who had seconded the motion.

The letter, in part reads, “The Town of Yucca Valley, possibly more than any other community in the state, values the integration of the desert environment, including the Joshua Tree and other unique desert plants, into our continued development as a community. As evidenced by our Town logo, as well as our General Plan Vision and Values, the desert environment is woven into the fabric of this community. After careful consideration however, the Yucca Valley Town Council is in strong opposition to the petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity to list the western Joshua tree as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act.”

Further, the letter says, “the western Joshua tree is not presently threatened with extinction. As such, the petition predicts a future decline due to global climate change. The proposed listing is based upon theory and modeling efforts, not current scientific facts as they exist today. To place the conservation requirements onto private property owners prior to governmental agencies attempting to collaborate and cooperate in implementing effective conservation efforts is neither good public policy nor good governance. Placing significant financial burdens on private landowners will not address the theoretical decline in the species as outlined in the petition. The California desert is comprised of rural, underserved communities that face economic challenges unlike other areas of our state. Imposition of the State Endangered Species Act will create unnecessary impediments, as well as greatly increased costs, to the delivery of these much-needed infrastructure systems throughout the Morongo Basin. In many cases, these limitations upon infrastructure development will prevent the agencies from delivering much needed housing development, transportation network capacity enhancements and job creation through commercial development opportunities. Placing significant constrains and financial burdens on infrastructure development in the Morongo Basin will not address the theoretical decline in the species as outlined in the Petition. While we appreciate the Commission’s role in administering the California Endangered Species Act, it is equally important to recognize when conflicting state public policies create an untenable framework within which the Town must navigate. I urge you to consider the significant impacts this will have on rural desert communities including the Town of Yucca Valley, and respectfully ask that you deny this petition.”

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced a $196 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Chino-based Inland Empire Utilities Agency. The loan is to be used to assist in financing expanded wastewater treatment capacity in the face of explosive population growth on the west side of the county.

The Inland Empire Utlitiies Agency operates regional water recycling facilities, including sewer plands and desalters, at its primary corporate grounds, located at 6063 Kimball Ave., the EPA announced.

The federal loan will be used to expand the operations and capacity of the agency’s Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP-5). The project will increase the plant’s liquids treatment capacity by 50 percent over its current capability and construct a new solids handling facility. The liquids treatment capacity of RP-5 will be go from 5 million gallons per day to 22.5 million gallons per day to support expected service area growth. The new solids handling facility replaces the existing facility at Regional Water Recycling Plant #2 as the existing facility will be within the Prado floodplain once the Prado Dam spillway height is increased. The project will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area.

“The ongoing drought conditions in the Inland Empire and across California make it more important than ever to ensure local water supplies are reliable, safe and clean,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This $196 million water infrastructure loan from the EPA will help the Inland Empire Utilities Agency expand its wastewater treatment capacity. The increase in local supply means our community will be less beholden to outside sources, and more water secure in the years to come.”

“Our region knows all too well the importance of preparing for droughts and investing in our water infrastructure,” said Congressman Pete Aguilar. “This funding will help the Inland Empire manage our water resources wisely in order to be better prepared for dry years. As the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to support these types of investments in communities like San Bernardino County.”

“Not only will this project provide residents with an additional local water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “Particularly in arid areas like San Bernardino County, these infrastructure improvements will pay dividends decades into the future.”

“The RP-5 Expansion Project will expand the treatment capacity of the existing facility to support the continued growth in western San Bernardino County, and will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area,” said IEUA Board President Kati Parker. “Since 2000, IEUA has been able to leverage state and federal partnerships to help fund critical infrastructure projects and keep our wastewater rates among the lowest in southern California. The WIFIA loan will continue our successful federal partnership with the EPA and provide 49 percent in low-interest financing for the RP-5 Expansion Project.”

This project will cost $450 million. EPA’s WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of that figure—up to $196 million. Additionally, California State Water Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund will finance approximately $100 million with the remaining project funds coming from a combination of borrower funds and grants. The WIFIA loan will save the Inland Empire Utilities Agency an estimated $153 million compared to typical bond financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create 1,280 jobs.

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term and low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects.

“Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a key role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “With this transaction closing, EPA has now issued 21 WIFIA loans totaling $4.4 billion in credit assistance to help finance $9.8 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 21,000 jobs.”

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced a $196 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Chino-based Inland Empire Utilities Agency. The loan is to be used to assist in financing expanded wastewater treatment capacity in the face of explosive population growth on the west side of the county.

The Inland Empire Utlitiies Agency operates regional water recycling facilities, including sewer plands and desalters, at its primary corporate grounds, located at 6063 Kimball Ave., the EPA announced.

The federal loan will be used to expand the operations and capacity of the agency’s Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 (RP-5). The project will increase the plant’s liquids treatment capacity by 50 percent over its current capability and construct a new solids handling facility. The liquids treatment capacity of RP-5 will be go from 5 million gallons per day to 22.5 million gallons per day to support expected service area growth. The new solids handling facility replaces the existing facility at Regional Water Recycling Plant #2 as the existing facility will be within the Prado floodplain once the Prado Dam spillway height is increased. The project will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area.

“The ongoing drought conditions in the Inland Empire and across California make it more important than ever to ensure local water supplies are reliable, safe and clean,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This $196 million water infrastructure loan from the EPA will help the Inland Empire Utilities Agency expand its wastewater treatment capacity. The increase in local supply means our community will be less beholden to outside sources, and more water secure in the years to come.”

“Our region knows all too well the importance of preparing for droughts and investing in our water infrastructure,” said Congressman Pete Aguilar. “This funding will help the Inland Empire manage our water resources wisely in order to be better prepared for dry years. As the vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m proud to support these types of investments in communities like San Bernardino County.”

“Not only will this project provide residents with an additional local water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud. “Particularly in arid areas like San Bernardino County, these infrastructure improvements will pay dividends decades into the future.”

“The RP-5 Expansion Project will expand the treatment capacity of the existing facility to support the continued growth in western San Bernardino County, and will meet all regulatory requirements, utilize energy efficient equipment, and continue to provide recycled water to the service area,” said IEUA Board President Kati Parker. “Since 2000, IEUA has been able to leverage state and federal partnerships to help fund critical infrastructure projects and keep our wastewater rates among the lowest in southern California. The WIFIA loan will continue our successful federal partnership with the EPA and provide 49 percent in low-interest financing for the RP-5 Expansion Project.”

This project will cost $450 million. EPA’s WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of that figure—up to $196 million. Additionally, California State Water Board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund will finance approximately $100 million with the remaining project funds coming from a combination of borrower funds and grants. The WIFIA loan will save the Inland Empire Utilities Agency an estimated $153 million compared to typical bond financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create 1,280 jobs.

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term and low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects.

“Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a key role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure in communities across the country,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “With this transaction closing, EPA has now issued 21 WIFIA loans totaling $4.4 billion in credit assistance to help finance $9.8 billion for water infrastructure projects while creating 21,000 jobs.”