On December 14, 2023, Congressman Pete Aguilar welcomed U. S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to the Inland Empire. (Pictured here with Inland Action CEO Carole Beswick.) The visit highlighted the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange, a bill the congressman co-led and became law in 2019. The bill allowed for the transfer of land between the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Land Management. At the event the Secretary announced funding for critical wildfire reduction measures proposed by the Conservation District.
Inland Action advocated for the land exchange for years and members hailed the passage of the bill in 2019.