IID and Assemblyman Chad Mayes go head-to-head over proposed legislation as IID threatens to exit Coachella Valley

The Imperial Irrigation District and Assemblyman Chad Mayes are at a war of words, which could potentially escalate to IID pulling out of the Coachella Valley altogether and taking legal action. The district threatened the move in response to proposed legislation by Mayes to increase the IID board of directors from 5 to 6 members, with the additional position appointed by the Fourth District Riverside County Supervisor, which is currently Manuel Perez.

"Ultimately we need a plan to be able to get to full representation," said Assemblyman Chad Mayes of the 42nd district.

The appointed member would serve a term for a duration of 4 years, but would not have voting rights, according to the proposed legislation. They would also be required to live in the service area they are representing.

IID's board of directors adopted a resolution on Tuesday that seeks to provide an alternative to AB 1021.

On June 1, 2021, AB 1021 passed its third reading on the assembly floor with 73 aye votes, 1 nay, and 5 no votes recorded. Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) was among the aye votes.

"Many challenges have occurred with power in the Coachella Valley. One example would be North Shore without power for many days- 2,000 people impacted," said 56th District Assemblyman, Eduardo Garcia.

The outage that left hundreds of people without power happened this past February after a major wind event wreaked havoc on the Coachella Valley and Imperial County.

The bill would put together "one ex-officio member" who would have the right to go into closed sessions and speak in public meetings. The legislation aims at giving more representation to the Coachella Valley as a 99-year contract between IID and the Coachella Valley nears its expiration in 2033.

"What is so important to IID is the preservation of our Imperial Valley water rights," said Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors Vice President, J.B. Hamby.

While IID currently provides energy to both Imperial County and the Coachella Valley, it provides water only to Imperial County.

"We’re very open when it comes to all kind of options for Coachella Valley power, but when it comes to Imperial Valley water we have to protect that and that means we can only have Imperial Valley people at the table, especially in closed sessions, when we’re dealing with things relating to ongoing drought on the Colorado River and how the Imperial Valley is going to handle that," said Hamby.

In an attempt to alleviate the problem IID has come forward and said they will form a Coachella Valley Energy Commission made up of local representation including members from "the city of La Quinta, city of Coachella, city of Indio, Cove Community Services Commission, Salton Community Services District, a tribal representative and also from the County of Riverside," Hamby said.

"I think what we’re able to do here is achieve a compromise that’s actually going to leave both sides in a better place than we were before," said Hamby.

Meanwhile, Mayes said the proposed alternative is not enough.

"They are very concerned about their water rights. And again, I can understand that but that's not what this is all about. This is about proper representation," Mayes said.

The commission could form as early as this month, and could begin meeting this summer, according to Hamby.