Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Governor Brown and Secretary Salazar's BDCP Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Governor Brown and Secretary Salazar's BDCP Announcement
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) issued the following statement today in response to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan framework announcement made today by Governor Jerry Brown and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar:
"As the Member of Congress that represents the Sacramento region, the andlsquo;home' of the project's massive infrastructure, I can tell you that there are no benefits to Sacramento, only negative impacts. The process has never given northern California a seat at the decision making table and little attempt was made to include changes that northern California has sought since this process began.
"What if San Francisco had decided to build the Golden Gate Bridge without consulting Marin County? Imagine if France had built the "Chunnel" without England's input? In order to solve California's water issue, northern and southern California must both be part of the decision making.
"The BDCP framework announced today puts three enormous water intakes and a 600 acre forebay into Sacramento County, this will forever change the landscape of our county. It will also drastically change the way the Sacramento River flows past our region.
"The plan announced today puts off the decision of how much water to commit to the exporters, quite literally building the project first and then figuring out how much water to send south later. Furthermore, there are no assurances that senior water rights in northern California will be preserved.
"Today's announcement indicates they are developing a preferred proposal that calls for a 9,000 cfs intake facility, but are considering other alternatives in the 3,000 to 15,000 cfs range. The range of alternatives should be fully studied first, and only then should a preferred proposal be developed and announced.
"Imagine 9,000 to 15,000 cfs being sucked out of the river next to us. What will be left? There have been times where the entire flow of the Sacramento River has been less than 15,000 cfs. Under the BDCP framework announced today, this would mean the Sacramento River could be reduced to a trickle.
"A BDCP framework that includes the stakeholders from all of California must be established in order to solve our state's water situation. We have a real opportunity to get this right. Unfortunately, the current plan falls significantly short. We can do better."
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