Costa, Denham, McClintock to CA SWRCB: Lack of Public Hearing “Unacceptable”

MODESTO, CA — Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16), Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10), and Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-4) today submitted a letter to the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in response to its revised Draft Substitute Environmental Document (SED) that supports of Phase 1 of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan.

Reps. Costa, Denham, and McClintock released the following statement:

“It is completely unacceptable that the State Water Resources Control Board failed to hold public hearings in the communities most affected by this proposal. The people, the farmers and communities in the San Joaquin Valley have borne the brunt of the impacts of five years of drought conditions and this proposal, if adopted, would only result in further harm to the economy of the region. The SWRCB must extend the comment period for at least 90 days because the people of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties deserve an open and transparent process where their voices can be heard. Furthermore, it is imperative that before any additional releases are ordered, the SWRCB must prove that the anticipated ecological benefits outlined in this proposal will be realized.”

A copy of the signed letter is available here.