Sacramento County hits pro-tunnel state agency with restraining order

Water

Employees from the state Department of Water Resources were recently caught drilling on private property without permits not far from the old Hemly estate. Photo by Scott Thomas Anderson

From the Sacramento News and Review.

 

By Scott Thomas Anderson, scott@newsreview.com. Published 07.05.19

The standoff between Sacramento County and the California Department of Water Resources over the Delta’s future took a twist in June, moving from quiet canals and pear orchards along the river to a courtroom in the central city. That’s where county officials were granted a temporary restraining order against DWR to halt what they call risky and illegal drilling.

At issue is whether the state agency can use eminent domain powers to bore exploratory holes around Courtland without county permits. DWR is conducting the drilling to salvage some version of the controversial California WaterFix, which Gov. Gavin Newsom decided will be a one-tunnel project if it’s built. …

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Many thanks to Scott Anderson for his excellent and ongoing coverage of the Delta and the twin tunnels. Check out these other articles by Mr. Anderson:

Fire down below: New environmental concern raised as Southern California Republican tries to block judicial review of tunnels ( SN&R – Local Stories – News – 08.02.18 ) Delta farms threatened by the ‘twin tunnels” prove to be one of Sacramento County’s strongest economic performers.

The king crop: Report shows Delta farms’ vital role in county’s $507 million agricultural economy ( SN&R – Local Stories – Beats – 10.05.17 ) Delta farms threatened by the ‘twin tunnels” prove to be one of Sacramento County’s strongest economic performers.

 

Why save the Delta? Unknown river towns fear untold devastation from Jerry Brown’s twin tunnels project ( SN&R – Local Stories – Feature Story – 08.31.17 )Meet the farmers and river people who don’t want to say goodbye to their way of life.