Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3721 Sept 28- Oct 12 | Page 22

22 Sept 28 - Oct 12, 2018 VOL.37 • ISS. 21 Cost Estimates to Repair Oroville Dam Spillways Mushroom to $1.1 Billion – Will the Same Happen with the Delta Tunnels? I ately plan and mobilize crews and equipment to begin construction in May 2017, according to Mellon. “This budget allowed Kiewit to begin necessary work while the project design was completed, and was not an estimate of the total project cost. Final plans for the main spillway were completed in July 2017 and final design plans for the emergency spillway were completed and approved in August 2018. As with any project of considerable magnitude, cost estimates are affected by conditions onsite and direction from regulatory bodies throughout design and construction,” she explained. The Environmental Water Caucus (EWC) and other environmental groups have sent letters calling for an accounting of Oroville and State Water Project costs, but they reported hearing nothing back from state officials over the last 19 months since the dam crisis began in February 2017. “The Oroville Dam Spillway repair project has increased fivefold from its original estimate in the span of one year and seven months,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta (RTD). “If the $19.9 billion Delta tunnels project ballooned to five times its current estimated cost, that would mean total project costs could reach $100 billion.” She said the Joint Legislative Budget Committee hearing scheduled at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Tuesday, September 11, in light of the latest information, should not take place until DWR fully accounts for Oroville and State Water Project costs. “With that 12-digit figure in mind, the JLBC hearing should not happen until DWR assesses the full accounting of the State Water Project, including continued Oroville repairs, CA WaterFix amendments as part of the State Water contract, and a finance plan for the tunnels project,” said Barrigan-Parrilla-Par- rilla. “Holding the hearing before all of these essential materials are available is irresponsible governance.” Restore the Delta, Food and Water Watch and other groups conducted a campaign urging Californians to call key legislators to delay this hearing that already been delayed twice. However, Governor, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California and corporate agribusiness interests including Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the owners of the Wonderful Company, leaned hard on legisla- tive leaders to hold this hearing. In spite all of the phone calls and emails to Senator Holly Mitchell, and Senate President Toni Atkins, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) held the infor- mational hearing to discuss the State Water We carry Lead Free Pistol ammo for Project (SWP) contract the hunter who wants to carry his extensions. handgun in Lead Free Hunting Zones. JLBC Chair Senator Holly Mitchell (D-30, Available in a variety of calibers... Los Angeles) stated CALL FOR DETAILS! at the start and at the THE LARGEST SELECTION OF AIR GUN PELLETS end of the hearing that the legislature would ON THE WEST COAST – GUARANTEED!! be “fully committed 10% to further legislative OFF! oversight” of the Delta “Burst Fire” .20 gram premium high grade airsoft bb’s 5000 count - now only $12.99 tunnels project, also known as California AIRGUN Largest selection of WaterFix (CA WaterFix). REPAIR Quality Pellets in California We are a At the hearing, .177 to .45 cal Crosman Authorized Director of the Depart- JSB, H&N, CROSMAN, BEEMAN Repair & Service Center ment of Water Resources Call for details! GAMO, DAISY, PREDATOR (DWR), Karla Nemeth, SAM YANG, EUNJI