The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California has taken the lead on the state’s controversial plan to more efficiently move water south from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, voting to commit $10.8 billion to California WaterFix.
The vote was a crucial step forward for the estimated $17-billion project by the state’s Dept. of Water Resources. Environmental groups have vigorously opposed digging two 43-mile, 40-ft-dia tunnels under the delta. Key agricultural districts refused to participate last year, calling it too expensive.