Sacramento, CA – Following up on his letter to the California State Legislature’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee regarding their September 11th hearing on Department of Water Resources: Proposed Water Supply Contract Extension & Amendments – which included provisions that will impact the controversial California WaterFix project – Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) participated in the hearing and made the following statement:
“I thank the Chair for giving me time to speak today.
“I’m Jerry McNerney and I represent California’s 9th Congressional District. My district includes one of California’s most precious natural resources – the Delta.
“The Delta supports the livelihoods of farmers and businesses in our area and brings tens of thousands of visitors to our region every year. It’s more than just a water source – the Delta is the cultural and economic lifeblood of our community, and I’m here today because that all seems to be threatened.
“The construction and operations of the Waterfix tunnels will gravely damage the Delta ecosystem and hurt the farmers and businesses that rely on it. By simply holding this hearing, the Committee is pushing the WaterFix project one step closer to completion.
“I led a letter, along with three of my colleagues, urging this Committee to cancel today’s hearing. Your colleagues from the Delta Caucus asked you to postpone this hearing. And Californians from across the state have expressed their opposition. I’m here not only as a voice for my constituents, but the voice for generations to come.
“But this Committee has a clear opportunity today. While it is clear that the hearing will not trigger full funding of the WaterFix project, there is also a significant need for transparency and oversight. I want to echo the members of the Committee and members of the panel who have spoken here today, and I request the Committee to commit to holding additional hearings and provide much-needed oversight for the WaterFix project before we move any further. There is much more information that is needed to know the true cost, legality and environmental impacts of this project.”
Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.
1 comment
ECT, this was the hearing that people needed to call their representatives and ask to cancel that I commented about on a non related article Friday. Brown is trying to Blackfoot the tunnels.
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