California Governor Jerry Brown and US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar unveiled plans today for a controversial twin tunnel system to carry water south from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The tunnels would siphon water from the Sacramento River and carry it underground to Tracy. Existing canals would then move the water to the Central Valley and southern California.
Supporters say the project addresses the need for a steady water supply and will help the region’s endangered fish.
The Governor criticized opponents of the plan who say the $14 billion project needs more scientific study and analysis. "I want to get done, and I want to get this thing done the best I can, so you give me your analysis I'll read it, but we're going to make stuff happen and that's why I'm hear, and we're going to take into account the opposition, but we're not going to sit here and twiddle our thumbs and our stare at our navel."
Opponents, including Democratic Congressman John Garamendi, say the project puts plumbing before policy, would damage fish populations and would impose billions of dollars of increases on water ratepayers.
