For Immediate Release: 12/2/16
Contact:
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta, (209) 479-2053, [email protected]
DELTA TUNNELS
Plan B Presented by Public Policy Institute of California
Stockton – This week a coalition of conservation and public interest organizations sent a letter to Obama administration officials calling for the termination of the proposed Delta Tunnels.
As environmental and financial obstacles mount for Governor Brown’s full-scale Delta Tunnels (CA WaterFix), backers of the project are now scrambling for a viable Plan B.
Today, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released their proposal in the Sacramento Bee: A Grand Compromise for the Delta. Their proposal calls for a single tunnel project, improved water quality protections for Delta communities, water flows for ecosystem health, and a Delta smelt hatchery.
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta said in response to the proposal:
“We are encouraged the Public Policy Institute of California is backing down from support for the highly destructive Twin Delta Tunnels proposal. But the project PPIC is describing today is a different and new project. Before it can be analyzed, we still need to figure out how much water the Delta needs. The flow hearings for the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers must be completed before a project can be analyzed. We learned this week from independent fishery experts that the San Joaquin River needs at least 50 percent unimpaired flows to stop extinction and achieve legally required doubling goals for salmon.
“We are pleased the Water Quality Plan Update for the Delta is moving forward and we are grateful to the State Water Resources Control Board and the Brown Administration that this process is unfolding. We remain concerned that any side settlements for the sale of water from and within the San Joaquin River watershed, which Governor Brown has been promoting, will interfere with improved flows to meet public trust values. In addition, any new tunnel proposal would, we hope, include a more comprehensive public scoping process so as to include Delta environmental justice communities. We would also hope for a more transparent environmental and economic review process with better science and better public debate than what was put forth for the current Delta Tunnels proposal.”
I have been following the Standing Rock situation, and I had the chance to go out and stand against the pipeline with the native people. I learned a lot about how important water is, and I’m making the connections after being back in Manteca for a few weeks between protecting our water in the same spirit of the camp. If anyone would like to organize people for action, I want to be a part. It’s crucial we stop these tunnels with public pressure from people in the area showing jerry brown we won’t accept these tunnels, we’ve got a shot at stopping them.
I am pleased that efforts to accommodate the water needs for the North and Southern California are being sought so as not to solve on major water problem only to create another. As we all know “Water” is the essential need for life and to provide for that essential need, decisions must be made with scientific facts and assessments of needs before proposals and decisions are made. With open and honest communication, decisions will be made with all parties coming to consensus.
We need to leave our Natural( as natural as they are to date) water ways alone. This. Water Movement that is sweeping our Nation, along with the oil pipelines are being done only for Control of Water and Land. Along with Big Business to make money. None of said projects will benefit the General Public and will Harm said Public in so many ways. How will these projects affect our Nation 7 generations from today 12/03/2016? Water Is Life and some of our Government Officials and The Big Business who are financial backers will be the only people to benefit from this along with setting themselves up in positions to Control water in our near future. No One Owns The Water and Should Not have THE RIGHT TO SAY WHO CAN AND WHO CANNOT HAVE WATER. It is not a new way to control the masses just a new item to use for control. Water is Life.