Joint Press Release issued August 20, 2020
Joint news release by the cities of Industry, Chino Hills, and Diamond Bar, CA – San Gabriel Valley Water & Power, LLC (SGVWP) has dismissed its lawsuit against the Cities of Industry, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, and the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority (THCA), in which it sought to overturn the Cities’ agreement to form the THCA and preserve the 2,500-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch for open space, public use, and preservation. In its lawsuit SGVWP claimed the Cities’ agreement interfered with its alleged agreement with Industry to develop the Tres Hermanos Ranch with a large solar farm and that the Cities had violated State open meeting laws in approving the agreement.
"By dropping its lawsuit, SGVWP has essentially admitted that its allegations were without any merit. They wanted to undo the Cities’ collective commitment to preserve Tres Hermanos and they failed," said City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss. Moss continued, "Like SGVWP’s proposed solar farm, their lawsuit was a sham and we prevailed."
In the lawsuit filings, SGVWP alleged that the Cities of Industry, Diamond Bar, and Chino Hills secretly arranged the purchase of Tres Hermanos Ranch without public disclosure or comment. SGVWP alleged that in February of 2019 the three Cities entered into an agreement to pursue their own project at a cost to the public of over $41 million while using the Brown Act to shield their plans.
San Gabriel Valley Water & Power Drops Legal Action Against the Cities of Industry, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, and the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority Over Failed Solar Project
"After false allegations from the SGVWP, and a legal battle that has been costly to all three Cities, we are happy to see them drop their lawsuit," said Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye. "This is a win that was long overdue."
As part of the Cities’ 2019 agreement, the City of Industry sold Tres Hermanos Ranch to the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority, which is governed by a board of directors consisting of council members from the three Cities. Through this historic partnership, the Cities are working together to preserve Tres Hermanos Ranch located in Chino Hills and Diamond Bar.
"This important victory safeguards this significant expanse of pristine property for the people and wildlife of this region," said Chino Hills Mayor Art Bennett. "Our three Cities will continue to work together as members of the Tres Hermanos Conservation Authority to preserve and protect Tres Hermanos Ranch for future generations."
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