Post by Logan on Jan 23, 2016 6:12:43 GMT -6
Lawmakers want to put Gov. Jerry Brown's delta tunnels plan before voters
Lawmakers representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta, the heart of California's water system, have introduced a bill that would make Gov. Jerry Brown's controversial twin tunnels project subject to statewide voter approval.
"The Legislature should be able to weigh in on this. And certainly the people should be able to weigh in on this," said Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), an author of the bill.
The $15-billion construction project, which is currently in the administrative approval process, involves two massive tunnels under the delta that would transport Sacramento River water farther south to the state's agricultural and urban hubs.
The tunnels have become a signature issue for Brown, who argues it is necessary to shore up the state's ecologically and structurally fragile waterworks. But the plan faces stiff opposition from delta-area landowners, who argue more water exports could harm the surrounding environment.
Continued at www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-delta-tunnels-legislation-20160122-story.html .
Lawmakers representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta, the heart of California's water system, have introduced a bill that would make Gov. Jerry Brown's controversial twin tunnels project subject to statewide voter approval.
"The Legislature should be able to weigh in on this. And certainly the people should be able to weigh in on this," said Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), an author of the bill.
The $15-billion construction project, which is currently in the administrative approval process, involves two massive tunnels under the delta that would transport Sacramento River water farther south to the state's agricultural and urban hubs.
The tunnels have become a signature issue for Brown, who argues it is necessary to shore up the state's ecologically and structurally fragile waterworks. But the plan faces stiff opposition from delta-area landowners, who argue more water exports could harm the surrounding environment.
Continued at www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-delta-tunnels-legislation-20160122-story.html .