12 Northern California Lawmakers Call on Obama to delay Peripheral Canal Plans

Revive the San Joaquin and 36 other concerned organizations signed a letter recently to Secretary Salazaar of the Department of the Interior urging a second look at the upcoming ‘imminent’ decision to approve the Peripheral Canal as a part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).  This proposed tunnel below the Delta would have the capacity to divert ALL the Sacramento River’s runoff to destinations south of the Delta.  

This project comes at a time when the Delta estuary is already struggling to meet water quality standards, and excessive southern pumping is threatening salmon and 20 other species of fish. The peripheral canal proposal could effectively drain large amounts of freshwater from the Delta system causing massive environmental harm. As part of this year’s State budget, 75 new positions were created to study this project. With preliminary construction costs already estimated at least 2.5 times the value of its benefits, we question who will pay, how much will it cost, and who will benefit? Help us promote ‘policy before plumbing’ as we seek urgent solutions to fix a broken Delta ecosystem and develop smart plans for new infrastructure. 

To read the coalition letter, click on the link below: