Restore the Delta Critiques Shortcomings of MWD’s First “White Paper” on Delta Tunnels Construction

For Immediate Release: July 7, 2017
Contact:
Nora Kovaleski, 408-806-6470, nora@kovaleskipr.com
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta, 209-479-2053, barbara@restorethedelta.org

 
Restore the Delta Critiques Shortcomings of MWD’s First “White Paper” on Delta Tunnels Construction
 
Stockton, CA – Today, environmental nonprofit Restore the Delta released their official response to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s first of three “white papers” regarding the Delta Tunnels proposal.
 
The first MWD white paper focuses on the physical infrastructure and construction of the tunnels.
 
Policy Analyst for Restore the Delta Tim Stroshane says,
“The MWD ‘white paper’ on Tunnels construction is badly truth-challenged. It ignores the fact that California voters defeated a peripheral canal project by a nearly 2 to 1 margin in 1982. It skips over the 2009 Delta Reform Act policy mandate that importers like MWD are to reduce reliance on the Delta for their future water needs. The Tunnels provide no benefits to any fish, ecosystems or Delta communities during construction for at least 13 years. The project will destroy the Delta in order to export more water.”
 
Executive Director of Restore the Delta Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla comments,
“MWD’s ‘white paper’ on construction of the Delta tunnels does not adequately cover the true costs or risks for its member water agencies. Water ratepayers in Southern California need to be aware. Are water agencies simply going to go along for the $17 billion ride because MWD says they should? Or are they going to step up and demand hard numbers for costs and water guarantees before saddling future generations with this load of debt?”
 
To read Restore the Delta’s full response to MWD’s first white paper, click here.
 

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