George Miller: “I said this is about $14 million. Nobody has suggested that the district pay $14 million. What I have suggested is that…”

“I said this is about $14 million. Nobody has suggested that the district pay $14 million. What I have suggested is that we have some independent voices and an appraisal of what this district ought to pay for the benefit it received. As I said, it is not that these lands now lie fallow. It is not that these orchards are out of production. They are in fact engaged in raising crops and engaged in an economic benefit. If it is $4.2 million in the net present value for this project, maybe that is what they ought to pay. They can have the project, if that is what they want, if they want to have the project. All I am asking is, should they not pay something for the benefit they are receiving? My colleagues are using two words over there. One argues it is sort of substantially completed, but not completed, and then it is of no value. It is somewhere in between. If it is substantially completed, then you have an obligation for $14 million. If it is somewhat less than that, then you have an obligation somewhat less than that. This is not about punishing the district. It is about protecting the taxpayers on the way out.”