A new, downsized alternative to Gov. Jerry Brown’s twin tunnels plan was met with criticism late last week from a diverse coalition of urban and agricultural water districts, business groups and labor organizations.
In one letter, the groups warn that the so-called “portfolio” plan ”drastically downsizes the future conveyance facility (tunnel) across the Delta, creating risk for the California economy and the health of the Delta.”
A second letter, specifically from urban water providers, says the portfolio plan has a “variety” of “inherent physical limitations, drawbacks and negative cost benefit impacts.”
Larger tunnels, the groups say, allow for more water to be taken during wet years and are best sized to deal with climate and ecosystem changes over the next century.
