Home California Eggman’s Delta Twin Tunnel Legislation Passes First Committee

Eggman’s Delta Twin Tunnel Legislation Passes First Committee

by ECT

SACRAMENTO – Legislation that would prohibit the building of the twin delta tunnels unless approved by Californians in a statewide vote passed out of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on Tuesday.

Assembly Bill 1713, authored by Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), addresses Governor Jerry Brown’s California Water Fix plan, otherwise known as the delta twin tunnel proposal, which would divert water from the San Joaquin Delta.

“Today’s vote was about choice. AB 1713 will shed some light on a project with huge implications and its passage is a huge win not only for the San Joaquin Delta, but also for the people of California. The Governor’s proposal is financially questionable, potentially environmentally detrimental, and based on an outdated and outmoded plan from over 50 years ago. The people of California have consistently weighed in on important infrastructure projects since the early 20th century and this initiative should be no different. Building tunnels won’t solve California’s water crisis, but investing and developing new technologies and tools may be the best and only way to create a sustainable and long term solution for our water needs.”

AB 1713 will require approval via ballot initiative for any infrastructure project that conveys water directly from a diversion point in the Sacramento River to pumping facilities of the State Water Project or the federal Central Valley Project south of the Delta.

The bill enjoys support by wide variety of organizations including Restore the Delta, Planning and Conservation League and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. AB 1713 now heads to Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

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