Yesterday, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11), joined by Congressional Representatives George Miller, John Garamendi, Mike Thompson, and Doris Matsui met with Deputy Secretary Jerry Meral of the BDCP to express their “grave concern” that the project as planned will bring great harm to the Delta region.
To read more about this meeting, click here to read the full story as reported by the Central Valley Business Times.
Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) continued the charge against a new canal that would take water out of the Delta region. Joined by Representatives Mike Thompson, George Miller, Doris Matsui, and John Garamendi, Congressman McNerney met with Jerry Meral, the Deputy Secretary of the California Natural Resource Agency to express his grave concern over any Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) that would adversely affect the Delta Region. Meral is the senior state official who oversees the BDCP.
“I will continue to be a strong advocate for the people of the entire Delta region to ensure that the water resources and their quality remain in place,” said Congressman McNerney. “Steps must be taken now to ensure that the BDCP serves the best interests of our region, and I insisted that the voice of the Delta be heard.”
Since 2007, Rep. McNerney has spearheaded the fight against a new conveyance system– such as a peripheral canal or tunnel– that would take large amounts of water from the Delta. Last month, he sent a letter to the Department of the Interior insisting that the final BDCP benefit the Delta region. The letter strongly opposed any aggressive measures that would adversely affect the Delta.
“Agriculture is the life blood of the Delta region, and I will fight to protect the livelihood of our farmers, families and small businesses. I thank my colleagues in the region for once again joining me in fighting for the well-being of the people in the San Joaquin Delta region,” said Rep. McNerney. “As I made clear to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan officials, we will not accept a new canal that does not have the buy in of the Delta communities.”
Representatives Miller and Thompson echoed McNerney’s dedication to fighting for the residents of the Delta region:
“Needlessly rushing the scientific review of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is simply irresponsible, and that is what I told the Bay Delta Conservation Plan officials today,” said Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-01). “We know all-too-well the consequences of bad water policy combined with impractical deadlines. In Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, expedited review of the Klamath River project resulted in the death of 68,000 Chinook Salmon. Are we really considering walking down the same road again? We need sound, science-based solutions that don’t harm our wildlife or environment.”
“This was a much-needed meeting, but it doesn’t yet solve the problem. We are very concerned that Bay-Delta interests are not being treated as equal partners – despite clear direction from the state legislature that a restored Bay-Delta and a reliable water supply must be co-equal goals. The state of California, the federal agencies, and the exporters who are seeking the Bay-Delta’s water have stumbled badly over the way that this Bay-Delta Conservation Plan is being put together — behind closed doors, and without full and fair participation,” said Rep. George Miller (CA-07).