Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) today issued the following statement after the announcement by the California Department of Water Resources that it will delay implementation of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) until at least early 2015:
“The delay in implementing the BDCP is good news, and I am encouraged that the state realizes the plan is deeply flawed,” said Rep. McNerney. “Delta families, farmers, and small businesses have had these concerns for years, and I am glad the state is finally paying attention. We need to work towards a water solution that is fair for the whole state and doesn’t endanger the California Delta. That plan that should include more storage, desalinization, conservation, and efficiency.”
McNerney’s comments came in response to the California Department of Resources announced a delay due to the public comments it received and will release a revised document in 2015. Cost is still an issue for the project as Congressman McNerney explained during an Antioch Kiwanis Club meeting last week that the Federal Government will likely not provide the state with $4 billion dollars in funding.
Meanwhile, back in March during a public meeting in Antioch, Restore the Delta’s Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla explained the public is being told the BDCP will cost $25 billion, however, the project will actually cost $60 billion–click here for the meeting recap with lots of facts on why the BDCP is a bad idea.
Here is the statement put out by the California Department of Water Resources
Lead Agencies to Publish Partially Recirculated Draft BDCP, EIR/EIS, and Implementing Agreement
8/27/2014 8:36:00 AM
The Department of Water Resources and the other state and federal agencies leading the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will publish a Recirculated Draft BDCP, Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), and Implementing Agreement (IA) in early 2015. The agencies are currently reviewing the comments received through the public comment period that ended on July 29, 2014. The scope of the partially recirculated draft documents will be announced in approximately six to eight weeks. The recirculated documents will include those portions of each document that warrant another public review prior to publication of final documents. The public will also have the opportunity to review the final documents prior to their adoption and any decisions about the proposed actions.
