(IID says Farm Bureau release not accurate)... Michael Abatti filed a petition with the US Supreme Court of April 26.

In what the Imperial Irrigation District says was a routine request for more information, the clerk of the US Supreme Court asked the IID to file a response to the petition. The following day the Imperial County Farm Bureau issued a press release. The Imperial Irrigation District says the release suggests that the US Supreme Court is concerned that the California Appellate Court's ruling on the Abatti case would deprive Imperial Valley residents of water. The IID says that is incorrect. They say, among other things, the Farm Buearu's statement and brief filed with the court suggests that Imperial Valley's water rights are property rights enjoyed by those who own agricultural land and they described a doomsday scenario consequences if the Supreme Court does not intervene to create private property rights to water, where none exist. The District says since the construction of Hoover Dam, IID exclusively holds the contract with the United States to deliver water for beneficial use on lands in Imperial County. They say water users in the Imperial Valley have a right to be served this water by the IID. The District legal counsel is confident the nation's highest court will not be interested in hearing the Abatti petition.