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Judge Grants Increased Power to Water Agency

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A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has granted increased authority to a nine-member board seeking to oversee cleanup of extensive ground water pollution in the San Gabriel Valley.

Over the objections of environmentalists, the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster had sought expanded powers to fill the leadership void in one of the West’s worst water pollution problems. Judge Florence T. Pickard ruled this week that the water agency can have more control over pumping by water suppliers, but must also hold public hearings as part of any cleanup.

Water officials said the judge’s decision solves a key jurisdictional problem. Environmentalists, who advocate creation of a regional super-agency to deal with the pollution, also claimed victory. They cited the judge’s mandate that in the case of any conflicts, the Watermaster must defer to public agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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