FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2001

CONTACT: Susan M. Giller (760) 482-9601

The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. Monday, November 19, to continue the development of rules to govern how water may be conserved to meet the terms of a water conservation and transfer agreement with the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA).

"This is an important step in the process of bringing to completion a water transfer that will help protect the Imperial Valley's water rights," Board President Andy Horne said. "We need farmers involvement in this process to create rules that are both clear and yet flexible enough to meet their needs."

The water conservation and transfer agreement signed in 1998 calls for moving up to 200,000 acre-feet of water to SDCWA. Of that amount, 130,000 acre-feet must come from on-farm conservation.

The workshop will be held in the William R. Condit Auditorium at 1285 Broadway in El Centro.