This just in … Delta water package fails Sacramento region, says Sacto Regional Sanitation District: Protection for Sacramento sewer ratepayers left out of water deal; One more example of failure to meet region’s needs

From the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, this press release:

“November 3, 2009 – SACRAMENTO — Despite repeated promises made in private meetings, email correspondence and public statements, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg failed to protect the 1.3 million residents and businesses sewer customers served by the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (SRCSD) in his water legislation package.

The District’s ask was simple: ensure that any changes required of SRCSD’s wastewater treatment operation as a result of the construction and operation of the peripheral canal be paid for by those who benefit from the canal. Without express protection from the impacts of the proposed peripheral canal SRCSD’s ratepayers will likely see their monthly sewer bills double or even triple. For residential customers that may be an extra $1,000 per year, for our largest industrial customers it will total millions.

The Pro Tem’s office promoted the fact that he had agreed to ensure such protection was in the legislation, as reported by the Sacramento Bee on October 10 and October 30. Not until Sunday evening, November 1, did that language appear in print in one of the water bills. The very next day a different version of the bill – one that did not include the protection language – was pushed forward and approved by the Senate.

“We feel like we were simply being strung along,” said Mary Snyder, SRCSD District Engineer. “We held off on our opposition and advocacy efforts because we trusted Senator Steinberg and believed he would uphold his promise. We were wrong.”

SRCSD now joins the very large chorus of Sacramento regional interests who oppose this water package. Our floor alert is attached. The region’s opposition has been unfairly and inaccurately characterized as “north vs. south” mentality. Our goal is not to stop a water deal – it is to make sure the deal is not crafted at this region’s expense.

The reality is that this water package – the proposed peripheral canal, the threat to our water rights and supplies, and the loss of local land use authority – will irreparably impact and damage the Sacramento region. As it now stands, the Sacramento region not only will end up paying its share of the “statewide” solution, but will be forced to pick up the tab for the additional impacts to this region that those who benefit from the peripheral canal or other “fix” are not forced to pay for.

There is a reason that not one Sacramento regional entity supports this water package: it does nothing to ensure that we will not be saddled with unmitigated impacts and a disproportionate burden.”

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