| More News
A reply from Congressman McNerney: He believes Delta people should have a seat at water table
Late last year I sent a letter to Congressman McNerney expressing my concerns regarding the recent California legislation regarding the delta and the state's issues with water. Here is his reply. Ed.
January 8, 2010 -- Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion on the Operations of the
The BiOP issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service seeks to address the declining fish stocks in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and how best to preserve these species. This BiOP is intended to preserve species in the Delta, but some experts have raised concerns that implementing the BiOP could have negative consequences for water users in
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the nexus of
Too often, key decisions affecting the Delta are made without sufficient input from Delta residents, and our communities must have a seat at the table as negotiations affecting our well-being occur. That is why I wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar insisting that he actively solicit input from my constituents in Contra Costa County and San Joaquin County as his Department makes decisions about water supply in
In addition to advocating for Delta residents at the federal level, I am working hard to bring home funding for key water projects in our area. Since 2007, I have secured several million dollars for projects that are improving levees, recharging the groundwater basin, and improving existing water infrastructure. For example, I helped secure $835,000 in federal stimulus funding for the Farmington Groundwater Recharge Project, and I brought back almost $5 million in 2010 funding for levee stability projects in Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties. These initiatives are helping our communities maximize the water resources available to us.
I am also advancing common-sense policies that will improve water availability in every part of
I believe that we can work together to protect water quality and water availability for San Joaquin Delta communities and to give residents of the Delta a leading voice in the decision that affect them. As I continue working on water policy, I will keep your comments in mind.
Thank you again for expressing your views. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of additional assistance. If you would like to learn about other issues I am working on in Congress or would like to sign up for my e-newsletter, I encourage you to visit my website at www.mcnerney.house.gov.
|