The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California voted on Tuesday to spend $141.6 million for planning the proposed Delta Tunnel, despite significant opposition from local Delta residents, Tribes, and advocates.
As a Los Angeles Times piece points out, dozens of opponents of the tunnel, including Restore the Delta, argued that the Tunnel is an egregious water grab that would cause significant harm to Delta communities, Tribes, and the environment.
Restore the Delta’s Assistant Policy Analyst, Cintia Cortez, appeared on ABC 10 and asserted, “This truly is a move that furthers an unjust water grab for California’s Delta communities. It is also not consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act.”
Other coverage of the decision emphasizes the widespread opposition due to the exorbitant price tag and resulting financial impacts of the project. Krystal Moreno, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Program Manager for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, aptly stated, “This project is being sold on fear and lies. Fear that without it, there won’t be enough water for Southern California’s economy. Lies that there is not an affordable alternative.”
Additionally, an article in the Stocktonia News highlights the funding uncertainties behind the project, including questions over whether the Kern County Water Agency will commit to paying its share of costs for this phase of the project.
In the midst of these harmful decisions by MWD, concerns about the fairness and objectivity of the investigation into General Manager Adel Hagekhalil have been further intensified following an anti-Arab slur uttered by MWD Board Member John Morris.
See below for a comprehensive list of coverage of the vote:
- California water agency votes to spend $141 million on Delta tunnel project – Los Angeles Times
- Funding approved for next steps of controversial Delta Conveyance Project – ABC 10
- Southern California water agency votes to keep funding state tunnel plans – AP News
- Southern California water agency votes to keep funding ambitious underground tunnel project – NBC Los Angeles
- Racism, Reckless Waste On Delta Tunnel Show Rot At Water Agency – City Watch LA
- DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Metropolitan board approves $142 million in additional funding for remaining planning of Delta Conveyance Project; Restore the Delta and State Water Contractors respond – Maven’s Notebook
- Giant Southern California water district OKs spending $141 million for Delta tunnel project – Stocktonia News
- Delta Tunnel critics urge Metropolitan Water District to vote no on $141.6 million for project – Daily Kos
- Metropolitan Water District Board Approves $141.6 Million in Additional Funding for Delta Tunnel – Daily Kos
- Delta Tunnel backed by SoCal water agency – San Joaquin Valley Sun
- Major Southern California water supplier approves spending $141.6 million on Delta tunnel project – CBS Sacramento
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