From the Delta Counties Coalition:
In response to Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) cost estimate and benefit-cost analysis released today for a proposed $20.1 billion Delta Conveyance Project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Patrick Hume, Chair of the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC), made the following statement on behalf of the five jurisdictions that would be most negatively impacted:
“Upon initial review, this analysis presents accurately neither the costs, nor the benefits of this last-century proposal. These reports are the latest attempt by the State to justify the Delta Conveyance Project and were conducted with the same preoccupation that the tunnel is the most desirable proposal, lacking acknowledgement of the more cost-effective and environmentally benign alternatives.
As with DWR’s previous economic studies, this analysis includes a number of unreasonable assumptions, including overstating potential costs to water exporters associated with sea level rise and earthquakes. It also fails to fully account for the negative environmental, economic, recreational and societal impacts for the 4 million people who live and work in the Delta. Not to mention that their environmental analysis to date only examines construction impacts, not operational impacts.
The offer of a community benefits program of about one percent of the project cost would not make our community whole and does nothing for our fisheries and flyways. The project would cause grave environmental and ecological damage in the Delta. It would also have negative economic, social, and security impacts on California residents in the Bay-Delta region and beyond – especially those in underserved communities where water quality and quantity are at stake.
Similar mega projects like the Bay Bridge or High-Speed Rail have doubled or tripled in cost from initial projections and take decades longer than expected to build. Today, the State admitted that the cost has risen at least 25% ($4 billion) since the last estimate – there is no doubt that the ultimate cost would be significantly higher. And, everyone should keep in mind that in the end ratepayers and taxpayers would need to foot the bill for this risky tunnel project. If we are going to accept costs of this magnitude, we should expect more far-reaching and sustainable benefits throughout the Delta and the State.
Even if the new cost projection is anywhere near correct, the tunnel would not provide a resilient and reliable statewide water supply nor address the reality of climate change and years of extended droughts with sporadic flood events. This disastrous tunnel project would not provide any new source of water, it does not provide a single acre foot of new storage or address the fact that our water supplies are already overallocated.
The State’s refusal to study tunnel alternatives or genuinely listen to Delta stakeholder concerns is disheartening and threatens to have irreparable impacts to all living things in the Delta. The State must re-focus their efforts on projects that will secure resilient, equitable, long-term water supplies while preserving natural resources for future generations. We can be more forward thinking and creative and do better, because Californians deserves better.”
The Delta Counties Coalition (DCC) is an alliance of the California Counties of Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo. The DCC works to give one voice to the Delta. The DCC has three goals: improve the Delta ecosystem, provide a more reliable water supply for the State, and protect and enhance Delta communities. The DCC works with local, state, and federal stakeholders to develop and implement solutions that address California’s water issues in a comprehensive, sustainable manner. For more information about the DCC and its solutions to a Delta Tunnel visit savethedelta.saccounty.gov
