Delta Region Opposes ‘Dangerous’ Delta Bill

Sixteen Delta-region environmental, business, and municipal organizations have signed a letter to House Speaker John Boehner voicing strong opposition to H.R. 1837, “The San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act,” sponsored by south San Joaquin Valley Congressman Devin Nunes and scheduled to be heard by the house on February 29.

Opponents have also written to area congressional representatives Tom McClintock and Jeff Denham, both of whom support the measure.

“The environmental community, fishing groups, and the Business Industry Association of the Delta all recognize how dangerous this bill is,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta. “It would strip away 150 years of water rights law and public trust protections in California.”

H.R. 1837 would relax water pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. These restrictions have been the last line of defense for protecting water quality for Delta farming and urban users.

The bill would create a new system that would give a handful of southern San Joaquin Valley corporate farmers all the water they want at any time at the expense of Delta farmers, urban communities, and fisheries.

Co-signers of Restore the Delta’s opposition letter include the California Striped Bass Association, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, the California Delta Chambers and Visitors Bureau, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District, and the City of Stockton.

A coalition of 190 environmental, environmental justice, tribal and fishing organizations from around the state also sent comments in opposition to H.R. 1837 to Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“It is rare for so many diverse groups to be on the same page about an issue,” said Barrigan-Parrilla. “That’s a clear indication of just how bad this bill is.”


One Comment to “Delta Region Opposes ‘Dangerous’ Delta Bill”

  1. […] Delta Region Opposes ‘Dangerous‘ Delta Bill | Antioch HeraldFeb 27, 2012 … Sixteen Delta-region environmental, business, and municipal organizations have signed a letter to House Speaker John Boehner voicing … […]

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