We need supporters of transparency for California WaterFix (SB204) to attend the hearing of the Senate and Natural Resources and Water Committee on March 12th at 9:30 AM at the Capitol in room 112. Arrive early to fill out a blue speakers card. Keep your comments focused on the need for contractual and financial oversight of WaterFix. (This is not a hearing about whether we oppose or support tunnels; it is about the need for oversight.) And be prepared to have comment time reduced to one minute. Nevertheless, it is very important to have a physical presence at the hearing.
MWD will have all the usual suspects from water districts with their lobbyists present to fight the bill.
WHO: Restore the Delta, Concerned Bay/Delta Residents
WHAT: Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee
WHERE: The Capitol Building, Room 112, Sacramento, CA
WHEN: Tuesday, March 12th, 2019 at 9:30 AM
If you are unable to make it out to Sacramento, please sign our petition expressing your support for SB 204.
We need to move quickly, as Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is seeking signatures to stop this legislation. We need as many signatures as possible by close of business March 7, 2019. Also please call your State Senator and Assemblymember to express your support for SB 204. Click here to find your state legislator’s contact information.
Also, Restore the Delta, alongside more than 40 organizations, have sent a letter to Senator Dodd expressing our support of SB204. You can read that letter here.
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Dear Senator Dodd, and my local legislators,
I support SB204. The Department of Water Resources, the State Water Contractors, and the WaterFix Joint Power Authorities need to be subject to legislative oversight. The decisions made by these entities regarding water management, water transfers, water planning, and project spending must be made public to ensure transparency and the right of water ratepayers and California taxpayers to participate in the process.
SB 204 will help protect the public interest and integrity of democratic processes related to California water management for California residents.
Last year, the State Water Contractors and the Department of Water Resources moved forward with extending State Water Contracts as the first step in preparing new water contract extensions for California WaterFix (the Delta tunnels). Fortunately, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) held a balanced meeting with JLBC leadership promising follow through on oversight of water contract extensions for California WaterFix.
State Senator Bill Dodd took this promise to heart and on behalf of his office and the legislative Delta Caucus has brought forward SB 204.
This bill would require the Department of Water Resources, State Water Contractors, and the CA WaterFix Joint-Powers-Authorities (DCDCA and DCFA) to notify the legislature of contract negotiations, contract extensions, and financing decisions with ample public notice to ensure proper legislative oversight and public participation in these processes.
To put it simply, DWR, the State Water Contractors, and the WaterFix Joint Power Authorities need to be subject to legislative oversight, especially as WaterFix is the second most expensive public works project in California’s history. SB 204 will help protect the public interest and integrity of democratic processes related to California water management for California residents.
Yours in Service,
Restore the Delta