Santa Ana River Flood Control Project

I am writing in response to your editorial (July 7), “Reaching a Political Pique.”

In that editorial you incorrectly stated that I was “playing political hardball to protect (my) own interests.” In fact, I am playing political hardball to protect the interests of the residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Rather than opposing the flood control project on the Santa Ana River out of political pique, I am opposing it in its present form because it no longer assures that the residents of my district, who will have to pay part of the project’s cost, will enjoy the benefits to which they are entitled.

I have not changed my support of the project based simply on political views, and if we had before us the plan I supported last year, I would support it again.

However, the Reagan Administration has removed the portion of the plan of importance to flood protection in my district, and I am now being asked to buy a “pig in a poke.”

The current legislation represents a holding action and is not final project approval. That approval would occur some years hence, after additional plans are completed.

Given the uncertainty and the need for further approval, there is too little assurance of benefit to the residents of my district for me to allow the funding approval to go forward now.

In short, there has been no erosion of my support for a Santa Ana River flood control project. I just want to know what the whole project looks like before I support it.

GEORGE E. BROWN JR.

Member of Congress

36th District

Colton