Packard Sees Benefits for O.C. in His Subcommittee Post

As new chairman of a congressional committee in charge of spending federal funds on energy and water projects, Rep. Ron Packard is in a position to benefit Orange County--and all of California.

That’s just where he wants to be.

Though political alliances helped him win the chairmanship of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Water and Energy, Packard, 67, a former dentist who has been in Congress since 1982, said he has developed an expertise on the issues through his career in public life.

“It will be good for me to be on the committee,” the Vista Republican said this week. “I can do some good for California.”

Though many concur that benefits could flow to Packard’s 48th District, which includes south Orange County and north San Diego County, some environmentalists were less enthusiastic about the congressman’s expanded power.

Environmental groups were disappointed when Packard won exemptions that permitted the Foothill south toll road to be routed through parklands.

“He certainly hasn’t been a friend to the environment in that regard,” said Pete DeSimone of the National Audubon Society. “So I can’t say I expect anything different with this new committee.”

Daniel Silver, executive director of the five-county Endangered Habitats League, said Packard’s new position is “a warning for us to be on the lookout for political pressure being exerted on public servants on behalf of special interests.”

But others expressed optimism about what Packard might be able to achieve with his new clout.

“It’s magic for Orange County,” said Stan Oftelie, president of the Orange County Business Council. “And the magic is in the money.”

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) also praised Packard lavishly.

“Ron’s elevation . . . is nothing but good news for Orange County and all of Southern California,” Sanchez said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous help to me in working toward the funding of several water projects in my own congressional district and is a vocal advocate of flood control and the water issues that are so important to California.”

Wayne Baglin, a former Laguna Beach councilman who heads the Aliso Water Management District and is a member of a state water board, said he has found Packard to be a good listener and a pragmatist who takes all sides into account.

“I don’t see him as being a green on top of a green horse for the environment,” Baglin said. “But at the same time, I’ve never seen him not be there when we needed him to consider an issue.”

Though Packard said it is too early to make promises, he is interested in the ongoing Santa Ana River project--the largest flood control effort west of the Mississippi--for which he has secured funding in the past.

Also, Packard said, “water districts in Orange County are at the forefront of water reclamation and desalinization.”

Statewide, he said, the big issue is bringing more water to all of California. “It’s simply mandatory we provide water,” he said.

Packard said his votes on some narrow issues have gotten him falsely labeled antienvironment, when actually he looks for a balance.

“Water is of such crucial importance, but we can’t overlook the environment,” Packard said. “I try my very best to strike a balance between environmental needs and the need to provide water.”

Packard won the prestigious spot--the 13 congressional subcommittee chairs are called “The Cardinals” --because of his relationship with new House Speaker Bob Livingston. After serving on the committee that elected Livingston, Packard is co-chair of the transition team.

In addition to water and energy, the committee controls funding for nuclear power plants and the Army Corps of Engineers.