For Immediate Release: 4/13/20
Contact: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053, barbara@restorethedelta.org
Stockton – Restore the Delta has sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting all “public processes” for the Delta (Tunnel) Conveyance planning be put on hold during the COVID19 pandemic.
The letter outlines the hardships being faced by the Delta community during the pandemic who, “…frankly cannot focus on how one of California’s largest infrastructure projects will impact their community, water supply, and environment.”
Farmers, “…are simply exhausted, and when community organizers attempt to reach them, we are finding that they do not have the intellectual, physical, or emotional bandwidth to think through and comment on the proposed Delta Conveyance Project.”
Meanwhile, “…social justice and environmental justice groups have been working to deliver food to communities in need in South Stockton, advocating to keep local schools closed…advocating with county public health officials for adequate COVID19 testing, reporting… and organizing volunteers to sew CDC compliant masks for healthcare workers.”
“Consequently, we are finding that residents who should be brought into tunnel planning processes in order to give meaningful community input are responding to phone and online organizing efforts with statements such as, ‘Why are you asking me that about now?’”
Delta communities cannot be left behind in planning and public processes during the COVID19 pandemic.
The organization seeks a stay of Delta Conveyance Project public processes until 45 days after the COVID19 pandemic subsides to safe levels.
Read the full letter here.