Congressman McNerney Urges Governor to Drop Canal Plan

Congressman McNerney Urges Governor to Drop Canal Plan

by Dan Bacher

In a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 23, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) criticized plans to build a peripheral canal and the exclusion of input from Delta residents in the current Delta/water bill package now being considered by the California legislature.

The letter reiterates the Congressman’s plan to "closely monitor' initiatives that require federal participation and his concern about any proposals that lay groundwork for a peripheral canal.

"I am deeply concerned by initiatives that may be intended to lay the groundwork for a canal that diverts additional fresh water from the San Joaquin Delta," said Jerry McNerney. "Such a canal would further erode water quality for several million people. A canal and related proposals are expected to threaten jobs by turning family farms into uninhabitable salty marshlands and could raise water rates by decreasing the supply of clean water for families and businesses in the San Joaquin Delta area."

He emphasized, "Public health and economic opportunity in Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, and other San Joaquin Delta communities should not be sacrificed in pursuit of expensive and counterproductive water projects. I will oppose federal support for water proposals that threaten the millions of people that call the San Joaquin Delta home."

The letter urges the Governor to take into account input from the families, farmers and businesses that live in the communities surrounding the San Joaquin Delta as these changes as considered. A broad coalition of Delta counties and cities, farmers, fishermen, Indian Tribes, conservationists and environmental justice have repeatedly criticized the Governor and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg for crafting the legislative water package in back door negotiations without in put from Delta communities.

"Drought conditions are a serious concern in California, and federal, state, and local partners should work together to provide relief," said McNerney. "Efforts to improve water supplies in drought-affected areas, however, must also protect clean water availability for the four million people living in the counties that are most directly dependent on the San Joaquin Delta. I am honored to represent hardworking families in Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County – two of the five “Delta Counties” – and we are committed to working with you to advance effective water solutions. However, the voices of families, farmers, and businesses in San Joaquin Delta communities must be heard as federal and state collaborative processes advance."

Delta representatives were barred from preview of the water package last week by Senate President Pro tem Darrell Steinberg and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"With the aid of his sidekick, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Governor Schwarzenegger's Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy has brought in one-by-one individual water agencies and other organizations, all from outside of the Delta, to negotiate what each individual groups wants to see in the water package," said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director of Restore the Delta. "And by bringing in corporate environmental organizations into the negotiations process, such the Nature Conservancy, NRDC, and the Environmental Defense Fund, which all stand to benefit financially either from the bond package itself or from continued funding from pro-peripheral canal foundations or corporations like Bechtel, the Governor and Senate President have given themselves green cover for policies that will turn the Delta into a stagnant saltwater marsh."

The current water policy and bond package before the Legislature doesn't specifically authorize the construction of a peripheral canal, but provides a road map for its construction. The legislation authorizes the creation of a Delta Stewardship Council composed of four of the Governor's appointees, two legislative appointees, and one representative from the Delta. The Governor supports the construction of a canal and more dams, so his appointees would be expected to do so also.

For example, Steinberg's SB1 (7th Extraordinary Session) – Public Resources Bill does not expressly authorize a Peripheral Canal or new surface storage. However, it does have specific provisions that facilitate construction of new conveyance and storage, including 85304: "The Delta Plan shall promote options for new and improved infrastructure relating to the water conveyance in the Delta, storage systems, and for the operation of both to achieve the coequal goals."

This letter to the Governor comes on the heels of Congressman McNerney calling on Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to "actively solicit input" from the residents who live in the San Joaquin Delta area and ensure their seat at the table as any federal proposals on the Delta are considered.



The text of the letter to Governor Schwarzenegger is below:

October 23, 2009

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor

State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

As California legislators and agencies evaluate significant changes to water policy in our state, I am writing to bring your attention to matters of federal concern. Initiatives to improve water quality and availability in California are dependent upon coordination by federal, state, and local agencies. I will closely monitor any actions, particularly those that require federal participation, and will continue to insist that water proposals provide benefit to families, farmers, and businesses in the counties encompassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Drought conditions are a serious concern in California, and federal, state, and local partners should work together to provide relief. Efforts to improve water supplies in drought-affected areas, however, must also protect clean water availability for the four million people living in the counties that are most directly dependent on the San Joaquin Delta. I am honored to represent hardworking families in Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County – two of the five “Delta Counties” – and we are committed to working with you to advance effective water solutions. However, the voices of families, farmers, and businesses in San Joaquin Delta communities must be heard as federal and state collaborative processes advance.

I am deeply concerned by initiatives that may be intended to lay the groundwork for a canal that diverts additional fresh water from the San Joaquin Delta. Such a canal would further erode water quality for several million people. A canal and related proposals are expected to threaten jobs by turning family farms into uninhabitable salty marshlands and could raise water rates by decreasing the supply of clean water for families and businesses in the San Joaquin Delta area. Public health and economic opportunity in Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, and other San Joaquin Delta communities should not be sacrificed in pursuit of expensive and counterproductive water projects. I will oppose federal support for water proposals that threaten the millions of people that call the San Joaquin Delta home.

As you know, a Memorandum of Understanding for San Joaquin Delta projects was recently signed by the Department of the Interior and several other federal agencies. The memorandum pledges to develop a coordinated work plan for the San Joaquin Delta in consultation with state and local partners. I have requested that the Department of the Interior take into account feedback from residents of the San Joaquin Delta Counties, and I urge you to do the same. Together, I believe we can advance helpful solutions that benefit every region of California.

Thank you for your attention to this letter, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,


Jerry McNerney

Member of Congress



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