Cali's $16 Billion Water Plan Gets Audited

Critics are pushing back against a $16 billion proposal for water security in California, and state lawmakers targeted the plan, supported by Governor Jerry Brown, for a new audit this month.

Brown's vision: “Digging twin 35-mile-long tunnels to carry water from the Sacramento River south, mainly for Central and Southern California,” the Associated Press reported. Dubbed “California WaterFix,” the proposal aims to secure the water supply in the drought-plagued state and protect the environment by reducing inefficiency in the water system.

“Brown and other advocates say the tunnels, which would carry Sacramento River water beneath the Delta to the head of the California Aqueduct near Tracy, would improve the Delta as a wildlife habitat and guard against collapse of the Delta’s levees due to sea level rise or earthquake,” The Sacramento Bee reported.

As described by the proposal’s website: “WaterFix is supported by engineers, scientists, water experts, California businesses and environmental groups. It is the result of an unprecedented level of public review and comment, and was chosen after evaluating thousands of alternatives because it is an economically smart solution to our state’s water problem.”

The project, however, is already hitting snags, including government audits. A new audit was launched this month.

One concern is funding for the project. “The $248 million in preliminary spending for the tunnels, which have yet to win regulatory approval, already is the topic of an ongoing federal audit. [In August], state lawmakers ordered a state audit of the tunnels-spending as well,” the AP reported.

“A representative from the California Department of Water Resources said the agency did not oppose an audit and promised full transparency,” Central Valley Business Times reported.

Another top concern is the environmental ramifications of the project. “Opponents say they fear the state will use the tunnels to divert too much water from the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay, harming Northern California and further endangering native species there,” the AP reported.

The audits are not the only forum for criticizing the project. The fight to stop the proposal has many fronts.

“Currently, the contending forces are battling before the state Water Resources Control Board, which would have to issue permits to divert water from the Sacramento River. The battle is also being waged in other forms, including Proposition 53, a measure on the November ballot,” The Bee reported.

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