COMMENTARY: Delta Tunnel Would Be Costly And An Ill-Conceived Response To Today’s Challenges

COMMENTARY:

From CalMatters:

By Kathy Miller and Chuck Winn, San Joaquin County Supervisors

In summary

The Delta tunnel would be a massive over-budget state project based on 19th century thinking that cannot address current challenges.

Jennifer Pierre’s commentary is disguising another ill-conceived water grab.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tunnel plan has nothing to do with ecosystem restoration or environmental justice. It would burden environmental justice communities and increase water bills in the State Water Project service areas. Another massive over-budget state mega-project based on 19th century thinking cannot address current challenges. Persisting in this $16 billion-plus, 20-year construction folly will only further degrade our waterways, ecosystems and communities.

Pierre posits a false choice between building the tunnel or doing nothing. Experts know that the State Water Project performance can be improved without a tunnel. For less than 20% of the tunnel cost, Delta levees can provide multiple benefits and protect the state’s water delivery system.

Tunnel advocates obsessively continue their attempt to take the Sacramento River by force. Instead, water contractors should invest in local water projects that reduce the need for imported water, provide local control and create jobs. The tunnel would be a statewide catastrophe.

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