Wolfeman wrote:Mark, I missed it. Can you give us the highlights, please?
Thanks,
- Wolfeman
Wolfeman, I listened, so I will try, but this is only some of it.
The two people in support of the Tunnels talked in generalities, and said the Tunnels were part of a long term solution to our water supply issues. They said the current laws would protect the Delta from environmental harm, but they said they were trying to get Federal Govt. to support them. To me, it sounded like they want the Federal Govt. to override State law.
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla said the Tunnels were just to give water to the San Joaquin farmers who raise water intensive crops for export, not for our own food supply. She said the funding for the Tunnels was not in place, and that the water districts which were supposed to provide forty percent of that funding were already over-extended, and didn't have the credit rating to borrow money to cover their share.
She also said the money spent so far on the Tunnels could have been better spent on local conservation efforts, and ground water capture.
The issue of sea level rise was discussed. She said the Tunnels would do nothing to protect the Delta from rising sea levels, and the other two said that should be part of a larger discussion.
She is very articulate.
Sorry, I am not, and have a lousy memory.
I'm pretty sure, if you go to the Restore the Delta website, you can find a better version.