"The Delta water tunnel is expected to cost at least $20 billion — and likely much more — and will destroy nearly 4,000 acres of prime farmland in the fragile Delta, along with salmon fisheries and tribal resources," McNerney said.
In The News

San Joaquin County leaders push back on Newsom's proposal to fast-track $20B Delta tunnel

State Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, is co-chair of the California Legislative Delta Caucus and the Legislature’s representative on the Delta Protection Commission. In a statement, he urged the Legislature to reject Newsom’s proposal.

"The Delta water tunnel is expected to cost at least $20 billion — and likely much more — and will destroy nearly 4,000 acres of prime farmland in the fragile Delta, along with salmon fisheries and tribal resources," McNerney said. "Plus, the tunnel’s costs would have to be shouldered by ratepayers who are already overburdened by skyrocketing utility bills.”

McNerney suggested that California “develop a sustainable water system instead of the expensive and damaging tunnel that will not add a drop of new water to the system.”

"The Legislature and governor should pursue alternatives that would cost far less and would safeguard California’s main water supply system without inflicting major harm to it, such as fortifying Delta levees and increasing water recycling and groundwater storage," McNerney said.

 

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