From the Delta Counties Coalition:
In response to the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s (SCVWD) vote to approve $9.69 million to continue planning the controversial and harmful Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), 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:
“SCVWD’s vote is disappointing at best and dangerous at worst. Our jurisdictions share common interests, and we should be working together to protect and best serve the interests of our constituents, not work against them.
The Delta Tunnel would have destructive impacts on our communities and will wreak havoc on both the aquatic and terrestrial environment, further endangering fish and wildlife. Short-term construction and long-term operation effects would also irreparably harm the Delta’s remarkable recreational opportunities and will significantly disrupt daily activities. These impacts would devastate the Delta and its residents.
Besides the total disregard for environmental and economic impacts to the Delta, the DCP fails to address real climate-resilient water solutions, engenders more conflict, and would move the state farther away from effective solutions to meet California’s future water needs.
SCVWD’s vote for additional Delta Tunnel spending means significant rate and property tax increases in water district service areas without certain returns. SCVWD rate increases from the funding request will cost residents more each month, and that does not account for the total costs SCVWD ratepayers would pay toward the full project. It’s important to note that this vote to approve additional planning costs is in addition to the millions already spent by SCVWD on this controversial project that will not yield the claimed benefits to local ratepayers and is far riskier than acknowledged by the Department of Water Resources.
By virtue of this vote, SCVWD continues to demonstrate that it refuses to prioritize working cooperatively with neighboring Delta counties, local partners, and other stakeholders to find ways to strengthen levees, repair existing infrastructure, protect Delta water quality, recharge groundwater, and improve regional self-reliance across the state to strengthen California’s water supply system.
We are disappointed that SCVWD has, at least for now, declined to work together on these shared solutions that would both enhance the Delta and improve water supplies for local residents. The DCC will continue fighting to protect the Delta and advocate for ways to find common-sense, common-ground solutions to strengthen California’s water supply system now and for future generations.”
