February 4, 2016
Congressman Pete Aguilar
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congress Aguilar,
The members of Inland Action give their strong support to the Santa Ana River Wash Plan.
We believe the Wash Plan Task Force has found a perfect balance in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Plan. This plan calls for a land exchange in order to create habitat for sensitive and endangered species, to allow for future mining, to facilitate benefits for local infrastructure projects, and for trails and water recharge projects. The plan represents more than 15 years of negotiations and planning. It involved countless discussions among environmentalists, business interests, government and communities to come up with an approach to the Wash Area that would protect the interests of all parties.
The plan is comprehensive and identifies land where existing mining operations can expand and continue to provide the aggregate needed to support the region’s growing construction industry. Additionally, it establishes protected areas for native plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act.
We thank you and Congressman Cook for introducing bi-partisan legislation to enact the Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, (H.R. 4024) to facilitate the exchange of District and Bureau of Land Management parcels. This critical component is as important to the habitat elements as it is to the activities covered by the plan.
With so many stakeholders involved in the process, the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Plan is locally led collaboration at its best. We fully support HR4024 and appreciate your leadership in this important effort.
Sincerely,
Carole Beswick, CEO