Dear Restore the Delta Members —
Westlands Water District, Metropolitan Water District, and the State Water Contractors are working to stop SB1 in favor of new Federal water rules for operating California’s water system in a way that would gut endangered species protections and allow for more Delta pumping.
Endangered species protections, in addition to protecting salmon, other fisheries, and the wildlife we treasure in the Delta, also protect our water quality from over pumping.
This is why we are calling on Assemblymembers, State Senators, and Governor Newsom to support SB1. Tell them to support endangered species protections, and to NOT support a watered down version of SB1 that would allow for more pumping from the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary. Federal water contractors are pushing a weakened version of the bill that would allow for more pumping from the Delta by doing away with protections for Delta fisheries.
Saving the Delta, in addition to opposing a Delta tunnel, means making sure that fisheries are protected, and that our communities are protected from overpumping of freshwater.
Remember if these protections are gutted, it becomes easier to fill a large tunnel with water.
Click here to find your elected state representatives if you don’t know who they are.
When you call, ask if s/he supports full ESA protections in SB1. If they say yes, thank them and remind them not to support a weakened version of the bill.
If they say no, let him/her know that you support full ESA protections for California salmon and fisheries, and that you expect state leaders to do better with protections than the Trump Administration’s water plan. Be polite, upbeat, and grateful for support.
Thank you,
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla
Restore the Delta