Doris Matsui: “Over the past four years, I have been heavily engaged in the BDCP process, actively promoting Sacramento's interest to…”

“Over the past four years, I have been heavily engaged in the BDCP process, actively promoting Sacramento's interest to President Obama's administration, Governor Brown's administration and the many stakeholders that would be affected by the project. It has not been an easy road as we all know. While I support a Delta solution because a sustainable system is necessary, I continue to have serious concerns that the BDCP process will ultimately create significant and irreversible harm to the Sacramento region. GOVERNANCE First, the BDCP process must respect northern California's interests. Unfortunately, it currently does not. The current governance structure of the BDCP includes the Delta water exporters and the state and federal water agencies. There is no representation for us in that structure. We cannot affect the process at all. We are left to a spectator role. Given that this project is the largest water infrastructure project ever undertaken by California and that it has a permit for 50 years attached to it--this governance structure is totally unacceptable. Here is why governance matters. Northern California was clearly harmed this year by the poor operations of our reservoirs. Yes, the drought has caused the low water levels in our reservoirs, but we should NEVER have a community on the brink of running out of drinking water. That is totally unacceptable.…”