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Five Southern California governmental agencies have announced an agreement that lays the framework for the expansion of community recreational facilities at Diamond Valley Lake in Riverside County. After more than a year of work, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), the city of Hemet, Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District (VWRPD) and the county of Riverside have developed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) and have presented the non-binding document to their elected bodies.
Although the MOI does not financially or contractually obligate any of the parties it is the groundwork for planning and coordination purposes. Diamond Valley Lake is the largest drinking water reservoir in Southern California and is capable of holding 800,000 acre-feet of water (roughly 260 billion gallons.)
Currently, although bodily contact activities are prohibited at the reservoir in order to safeguard the region’s drinking water, it is a site for boating, fishing and hiking. Among the potential improvements to the area are trail extensions and interconnections between Salt Creek, Diamond Valley Lake and Lake Skinner; improving access roads to Diamond Valley Lake that may extend the facility’s operating hours; a recreational lagoon; camping and RV accommodations; expanded leisure spaces; and an expanded sports complex.
“This agreement is pivotal toward ensuring that the respective agencies are coordinated so we may better accommodate future development opportunities of the area surrounding Diamond Valley Lake,” said Randy Record, chairman of Metropolitan’s Board of Directors and EMWD’s representative on the 38-member MWD board. “By having clearly defined responsibilities, we can ensure we act efficiently at the appropriate time that funding sources dictate the advancement of various projects.” Diamond Valley Lake is owned and operated by Metropolitan.
The MOI outlines the prospective responsibilities of the five agencies relative to the recreational and facility improvements that could one day be developed in the area surrounding the lake. Obtaining outside funding sources, including private investors or grant funding, will determine much of the lake’s development. The MOI also calls an implementation committee to be formed within 90 days. The committee will include at least one invited member from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, California’s 28th Senate District, the local business community, the general public and the Western Science Center along with a representative of the five governmental agencies.
“By proactively working to enhance recreational opportunities in this region, we are helping to further meet the needs of our residents and help promote the region as a world-class recreation destination,” said Riverside County Third District Supervisor Chuck Washington. “Doing so helps promote active, healthy lifestyles and economic development for the San Jacinto Valley and surrounding areas.”
The five governmental bodies who drafted the MOI are now in the process of presenting it to their respective governing bodies. Because the MOI is a non-binding agreement with no financial commitments or obligations, some entities are presenting this document for informational purposes only. EMWD’s board of directors approved the document at their March meeting; the other entities will be bringing the item to their governing bodies in April.
“Along with our partner agencies, we have been able to develop a plan that will provide a unified vision for the future of recreation in this community,” Valley-Wide President Matt Duarte said. “Valley-Wide looks forward to continuing these collaborative efforts and doing its part to further enhance cost-effective recreational opportunities in the region.”
