LAWSUIT SETTLED S.S.

A LAWSUIT FILED BY SANTA CLARA COUNTY, AGAINST CASA DE FRUTA, HAS BEEN SETTLED. ALTHOUGH IN COMPLIANCE NOW, THE SUIT ALLEGED THAT CASA DE FRUTA HAD VIOLATED STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AT THEIR GAS STATION (OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD). OF THE 105 THOUSAND DOLLARS (CASA DE FRUTA AGREED TO PAY), 80 THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE PAID IN CIVIL PENALTIES AND INVESTIGATIVE COSTS. THE OTHER 25 THOUSAND DOLLARS WILL BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LAND TRUST, TO HELP OUT THE PAJARO PROJECT (WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE PAJARO RIVER WATERSHED IN SOUTH SANTA CLARA COUNTY, AND WESTERN SAN BENITO COUNTY.

THE PAJARO PROJECT SEEKS TO PROTECT THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR, MAINTAIN THE FLOOD PLAIN, AND PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE UPPER PAJARO RIVER AREA.