(12)AR 110309 MOU/City of Riverside

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EXECUTION COPY REVISED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between the Cities of Riverside and Colton This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") between the City of Colton and the City of Riverside is made, entered into and effective this day of June 2009, with respect to the following facts. WHEREAS, the cities of Riverside and Colton ("Cities"), as two cities within the Inland Empire, desire a mutually cooperative relationship on matters of regional significance; and WHEREAS, Riverside's goal is "Water Independence." To meet such goal, Riverside strives to be wholly independent of water imported from Northern California or the Colorado River. Riverside can only meet that goal by carefully managing its existing groundwater resources. Colton has a similar goal, as 100% of its potable and non -potable water sources are also local groundwater; and WHEREAS, Riverside, through its Department of Public Utilities, owns, operates and manages significant water rights, facilities, and water -producing facilities in the Riverside North and South basins, which encompass areas within the boundaries of both Cities; and WHEREAS, Colton, through its Department of Water, owns, operates and manages significant water rights, facilities, and water -producing facilities in the Riverside North and Colton Basins; and WHEREAS, both Cities have determined that there is a unique opportunity to work more closely together on water issues and that in order to do so, they must put competing interests behind them; and WHEREAS, the Cities have identified the following areas which warrant further discussion and agreement: A. The Riverside Groundwater Aquifer Storage and Recovery System (the "Recharge Project"), a proposed project to capture and recharge Santa Ana River storm water and imported water, on and near Riverside's Flume Well Tract property located in Colton. Colton has expressed the requirement that any recharge facility be done so to produce a local community amenity and not a negative aesthetic impact. B. The Pellissier Ranch Specific Plan, which encompasses 1,448 acres of largely undeveloped property in Colton. Riverside currently owns approximately 227 acres of this property. In order for the Specific Plan to be successfully developed, Colton has requested Riverside to alter long range plans in order to relocate certain utility uses from future residential neighborhoods to more appropriate locations accommodating industrial uses.