LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issues the following statement on the release of biological opinions for the state-federal California WaterFix project by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
“Receiving the permit conditions to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act is an important milestone and brings the California WaterFix process one step closer to completion. This is an encouraging sign that California can modernize the heart of its water system in a manner that is good for both the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta environment and the state’s economy.
“For too long California’s water supplies have been at risk and subject to cutbacks. All the while, the Delta ecosystem has been failing. A better system is needed now and for the future to safeguard California’s drinking water and reduce conflicts with our native species. We appreciate the efforts of these federal agencies and the Brown administration to move California WaterFix forward.”
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving nearly 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
