SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) issued a statement today in regards to AB 576, a bill dealing with Colonel Allensworth State Park, located in Tulare County.

“My support of Agriculture and the development of new jobs in the dairy industry have been unwavering, which may explain most peoples surprise that I have co-authored AB 576. I have been openly supportive of the local process at every step in regards to this project, and will continue to support the Board of Supervisors if they decide to approve the EIR at their next meeting in order to allow the San Joaquin Air pollution Control District and The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to complete their reviews of the project. Nevertheless, I am also sympathetic to the concerns of the African-American community, in regards to the preservation of Colonel Allensworth State Park. Through the years I have worked very hard to support the small town of Allensworth, helping obtain resources for the Community Center and helping fix their water pumps.  I will continue to support the local authority to make land use decisions and the tradition embodied at Colonel Allensworth State Park. It is my hope that my involvement with this legislation will put me in a position to facilitate a compromise that will satisfy the needs of two communities I care deeply about.”