Assemblymember Jim Frazier Issues Statement On Governor Brown’s Revised Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Oakley) issued the following statement in response to the revisions of Governor Brown’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP):

“The Governor’s twin tunnel Bay Delta Conservation Plan, now rebranded as California WaterFix and California EcoRestore, is really a wolf in sheep’s clothing under the premise of Delta restoration.

The BDCP has never been a conservation plan, but rather, a carefully manufactured campaign framed to manipulate the public into favoring a longstanding goal of this Administration. The veil of ‘co-equal goals’ has been lifted with the Governor’s newest plan to separate habitat restoration from the tunnel construction. The audacious slash of habitat restoration funding from $8 billion to $300 million is grossly transparent of their actual intentions. In reality, these are not two separate items, but rather one singularly destructive infrastructure project.

The Legislature and the public have been betrayed by the new provisions of this plan. Upon voting for Proposition 1, we voted on a water bond that was tunnel-neutral and funded Delta habitat restoration and sustainability. However, under this new plan, the Governor’s office recently stated that money from Prop 1 could be used to pay for possible “habitat mitigation” linked to the construction and operation of the tunnel rather than the overall restoration of the Delta.

The Governor’s plans are going to have to stand on their own merits. The premise of this project has been an ongoing struggle for years, and history shows that the plan is not comprehensive or thoughtful in any facet. During my time in the Assembly, I have introduced legislation, spoken at forums and rallies and represented the voices of my constituents. These changes do not go unnoticed, and I will continue to protect and advocate for my District.
To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website at http://www.asmdc.org/members/a11/ or call his District Offices at 707-399-3011 or 925-778-5790.