Six members of Congress — including U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton — warn in a new letter to the federal government that there appears to have been “little substantive progress” toward a scientifically sound Bay Delta Conservation Plan (twin tunnels beneath the Delta).
The letter, dated Jan. 4, follows up on a Dec. 4 meeting between the representatives and the U.S. departments of Interior and Commerce.
The representatives write that the proposed range of water exports — between 4.9 million acre-feet and 5.6 million acre-feet per year — is higher than what has been recommended by state and federal wildlife agencies.
They also ask who will pay for all the habitat restoration associated with the plan.
“Finally, we would appreciate more open and regular communication regarding the BDCP process and decisions as we move forward,” they write. “We believe that regular meetings at the member and staff levels to provide updates will facilitate a more transparent process that will benefit everyone.”
