Local Agencies Seek Transparency and Collaboration for Chino Basin Program Funding

Local Agencies Seek Clarity in Chino Basin Program

In a united effort, four water agencies from California's Inland Empire, including the cities of Chino, Montclair, and Ontario alongside the Monte Vista Water District, have collectively addressed the California Water Commission (CWC), seeking thorough clarification and collaboration regarding the funding of the Chino Basin Program (CBP) under the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP).

The agencies have raised concerns over the financial framework and potential long-term impacts of the CBP on local groundwater supplies, stressing the importance of transparency in these critical discussions. Ontario City Councilmember Debra Porada expressed hope for cooperation with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) to ensure that the project's financial terms are clear and that there’s an open dialogue before any public funding is allocated.

In their letter to CWC Chair Fern Steiner, the participating agencies voiced worries about the absence of formal financial commitments from retail water providers servicing IEUA's areas. A relevant five-year rate study that was intended to illuminate the project's cost allocation has been abridged to just two years, omitting specific program costs and raising doubts about how non-public parts of the project would be funded.

Moreover, the groups highlighted the allocation of property tax revenues towards the CBP, which was done without a comprehensive understanding of the local implications or an agreement among the involved agencies. Recent insights from the Chino Basin Watermaster further emphasize the urgency of these discussions, with forecasts indicating a potentially staggering decline of 14,000 acre-feet in the basin's Safe Yield — marking the most considerable dip in its recorded history. This underscores the necessity for meticulous management of local water resources.

Chino's Mayor Pro-Tem Curtis Burton reiterated the need for proactive planning, asserting that safeguarding the water necessities of local populations should be the foremost priority as they look to the future.

The consortium of agencies also reiterated their long-standing concerns highlighted in 2021, advocating for the CWC to temporarily pause funding decisions until the IEUA can provide evident regional support and address lingering uncertainties regarding cost-sharing and impacts on water supply. Sandra Rose, President of the Monte Vista Water District Board, spotlighted this moment as an opportunity for reevaluation and collaboration to meet both local and broader state water needs.

Additionally, the agencies have requested a meeting with the CWC for further discussion on how to develop a shared approach toward addressing these issues moving forward. Montclair Mayor Javier "John" Dutrey emphasized the necessity for a transparent and locally supported strategy for regional water management.

Conclusion

As the discussion on the Chino Basin Program continues, it is crucial for local agencies to work cooperatively with state bodies to achieve a sustainable and effective water management strategy that caters to the needs of their communities. For ongoing updates on the CBP and efforts to promote regional transparency, more information can be found on Ontario's official website.