$4.2 million approved for San Diego River

Acquisition of property which had been slated for development & industrial use

provided by Assemblymember Christine Kehoe

Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) today announced that $4.2 million dollars of Proposition 40 funding has been approved for acquisition of property along the San Diego River in east San Diego County.

      “This land was to be sold to developers and had been zoned for industrial use. Acquiring it now protects this portion of the river and is the first step in the Conservancy’s efforts to restore this historic waterway,” said Kehoe.

      This funding was in question when Governor Schwarzenegger froze all state expenditures to allow sufficient time to analyze expenses and identify his spending priorities. Over the last two weeks, Assemblymember Kehoe worked with Governor Schwarzenegger’s administration to secure release of these funds.

      “Governor Schwarzenegger recognizes the value of this acquisition and his administration will work with the newly established San Diego River Conservancy to get this project started,” Kehoe stated.

      The San Diego River Conservancy was formed earlier this year as a result of the passage of Assemblymember Kehoe’s measure to establish the Conservancy, which will develop a master plan to conserve, restore and enhance the river for habitat, recreation, and flood control.