In-Delta interests fought successfully to have the conservancy references removed from Feinstein’s NHA legislation. Restore the Delta staff made it clear that we would not support the legislation if it had included references to the conservancy.
Now we wonder, without the conservancy language, why is this bill still attractive to the Metropolitan Water District and the State Water Contractors? Without their political support, this bill will never become a law. But if a NHA designation provides the protections and assurances that are claimed for it, then it would make new conveyance much more difficult to complete.
We’re skeptical of this NHA legislation if it’s backed by the water agencies in favor of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.