From the Office of Assemblyman Jim Frazier:
“[Wednesday], Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review, held a fiscal oversight hearing regarding the proposed funding structure for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). Testimony during the committee hearing revealed significant concerns about the projected costs of the plan and the economic impacts this project will have on the Delta region and the State.
“After thoroughly examining all sides of the proposed funding structure, I believe that there is a significant amount of uncertainty on how this project will be paid for,” said Assemblymember Frazier. “The risk to ratepayers and taxpayers, should proposed funding not materialize, is considerable.”
The BDCP does not currently require either approval by the citizens of the state or by the California State Legislature. With potential costs estimated as high as $67 billion, the BDCP is a megaproject on the same scale as the San Francisco Bay Bridge and the High Speed Rail Project.
“This hearing validated the concerns that I have, therefore, I have introduced Assembly Bill 1671, which will require legislative approval prior to the construction of any tunnel or water conveyance system through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,” said Assemblymember Frazier. “The potential costs of this megaproject are so great that I believe there needs to be additional legislative oversight before the state commits to this obligation.”
AB 1671 does not take a position on the BDCP, but simply allows the legislature the opportunity to work with the Administration to ensure a successful and economically sound project. By requiring the legislature’s involvement in this process, AB 1671 will also ensure that California citizens have the opportunity to share their input about the viability of the BDCP.”
Source: Assemblymember Jim Frazier Holds Hearing to Examine Bay Delta Conservation Plan’s Funding Structure
