House Passes Rep. Calvert Bill Providing Long Term Certainty to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District

Today, the House of Representatives unanimously approved by voice vote H.R. 3567 which was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42). The bill authorizes the purchase of a small parcel of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) property in Riverside by the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District (Conservation District).

"I am pleased the House has passed this legislation and moved us closer to providing long-term certainty for the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District," said Rep. Calvert. "This bill is a win-win for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District."

The Conservation District is a local government agency in southern California that helps sustain the natural resources in the region and demonstrates native gardening for the community. The Conservation District provides assistance with conservation projects including reducing the negative impacts of invasive species. This new property will allow the Conservation District to continue to do research on the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, a Pierce's Disease vector, and help both vineyards and citrus orchards combat the disease.

Since 1996, the R has partnered with NRCS to acquire, co-locate and manage what was previously the USDA Salinity Lab. Following the acquisition of the property, NRCS has not obligated any federal funds for plant materials research at the Riverside location. Meanwhile, the Conservation District has invested $2.8 million in improvements and upgrades at the property. H.R. 3567 authorizes USDA to sell the NRCS property in Riverside to the Conservation District for an amount equal to the appraised value of the property. The legislation further states that current NRCS operation at the property shall be allowed to continue at no cost to the federal government.

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