Garcia to head state water issues
On Tuesday, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon announced the appointment of Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia to Chair the California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. The committee oversees numerous significant issues that will face California Garcia in the coming year, such as the state’s historic drought conditions, and the implementation of the multi-billion dollar Proposition 1, Water Bond passed by voters in 2014.
“I am excited to work on water issues on behalf of Californians. Given the current water drought and the challenges brought forward, there are significant opportunities that lie ahead for the State of California, and more importantly my district; an area where park space and water quality issues are prevalent,” Garcia said in a statement. “There is much work to be done, and this chairmanship bodes well for our community’s local issues. I look forward to working with my Assembly colleagues into finding real, sustainable solutions and potential for renewable energy developments.”
During his first two years at the state assembly, Garcia has pushed several bills regarding environment and public health. In 2016, Garcia worked to advance restoration efforts at the Salton Sea and New River.
He also introduced a bill to allow Californians to vote on the issuance of a $3.12 billion State General Obligation bond to finance parks and open space across the state and require that 20 percent of the funds be allocated directly to disadvantaged communities, a bill to require that all boards and departments under the California Environmental Protection Agency invest a minimum of 10 percent of enforcement fines collected into disadvantaged communities and another to create a joint legislative committee on climate change to gather facts and make recommendations to the legislature on state programs and policies related to Climate Change.
“Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia has helped shape some of the State’s most important environmental laws and served as a voice for communities most in need of environmental justice,” Rendon said in a statement. “As someone who has chaired the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, I know he will provide outstanding leadership as the Committee works to meet the state’s environmental challenges.”
As the head of the committee Garcia will deal with many water issues pertaining to the drought stricken California. Many of the proposal that go through the committee could play a big role in the state’s and the Imperial Valley’s agricultural industry.
Cástulo R. Estrada, vice president of the Coachella Valley Water District Board of Directors, said he is encouraged by the appointment of Garcia as chair of the Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife.
“The issues of water resources, flood management and the fate of the Salton Sea are all part of the committee’s jurisdiction and also are important issues to CVWD,” Estrada said. “I see this as an opportunity to work directly with the Assemblyman to create solutions that work for the Coachella Valley as well as the rest of the state.”
Staff Writer Edwin Delgado can be reached at edelgado@ivpressonline.com