This morning, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee will meet at 9:30am. The Committee is expected to vote on a request submitted by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, Senator Jerry McNerney and Restore the Delta to audit the Delta Conveyance Project.
The audit request, filed on June 3, alleges DWR has spent nearly $700 million in public funding on these numerous iterations of the ‘Tunnel’ over the past 15 years and is the subject of much litigation. The request alleges that State Water Project contractors have repeatedly fallen short of statutory requirements to demonstrate proof of an adequate and reliable water supply to meet projected demands, and lists several State Water Contractors they say are not reducing reliance on the Delta as required by the Delta Reform Act.
The Department of Water Resources responded in a letter to the Committee, stating that an audit would be ‘an unnecessary use of resources that could impede efforts of the Auditor on more meaningful work and would create a costly delay.’ The letter notes that the audit request seeks information that is already publicly available and addresses questions with well-established answers. DWR undergoes regular audits, operates transparently with public agencies under the Brown Act, and consistently provides detailed financial and project information to legislators and the public, the letter states. DWR maintains that expenses for project planning have been paid by the contractors, not by the general fund, and total just under $300 million.
The letter also notes that, “Neither the Urban Water Management Planning Act nor the Delta Reform Act require individual water agencies to reduce Delta imports. Rather, the agencies must and do show the pursuit of long-term projects that demonstrate improved regional self-reliance. It is certainly possible and desirable to continue to support and advance this regional self-reliance AND to protect the long-term stability and reliability of the SWP.”
The letter, signed by DWR Director Karla Nemeth, concludes, “DWR and the Administration share the committee’s commitment to transparency. My hope is that this letter illustrates the volume of information made publicly available on this important project.”
Assemblymember and community leaders are planning a press event at the conclusion of this morning’s hearing.
