Delta Caucus Calls on Legislature to Once Again Reject Governor Gavin Newsom’s Renewed Effort to Fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project

The California Legislative Delta Caucus on Wednesday once again urged leaders of the California Senate and Assembly to reject Gov. Gavin Newsom’s renewed effort to fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project.

The governor on Wednesday renewed his request that the Legislature approve his fast-tracking proposal before the end of this year’s Legislative session in September. In June, the Legislature rejected the governor’s attempt to include the fast-tracking plan in the state budget.

On Wednesday, the governor also proposed to create a $200 million “community benefits” plan for Delta communities that will be severely impacted by the 45-mile-long, $20 billion-plus water tunnel, should it ever be built.

“The Legislature rightly rejected the governor’s ill-conceived plan to fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project in June and should reject it again. Delta communities that will be devastated by this unaffordable and unnecessary project cannot be bought off with $200 million. In fact, no amount of money can compensate for the destruction of thousands of acres of prime farmland and the loss of fisheries and historic tribal resources,” said Delta Caucus co-chairs, Senator Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, and Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, D-Suisun City. “We once again call on California to abandon the tunnel project boondoggle and instead pursue less costly and destructive alternatives, including fortifying Delta levees and increasing water recycling, water efficiency, and groundwater storage.”

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