Ose's Water Plan Calls For Loosening Endangered Species Protection, Killing Brown's 'Twin Tunnels'

February 11, 2014 |

Congressional candidate Doug Ose issued a water plan today that includes a proposal to loosen endangered species laws and introduction of legislation to kill Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed twin peripheral tunnels.

Ose, a former three-term Republican Congressman representing Sacramento, is one of four candidates hoping to advance out of the June primary to a November run-off for the top two finishers. The seat is currently occupied by Dr. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove) who is seeking reelection while there are two more Republicans in the race, Igor Burman and Elizabeth Emken.  

“The first call to action is to protect our local water supply by slowing the discharge of water from Lake Folsom to the ocean and secondly, stop federal funding for the Governor’s ‘pipe dream’ to send our water south,” Ose said. “Next, implement long term solutions that will protect local water for future generations.”

The plan specifically proposes legislation that would kill funding for Brown's proposed twin peripheral tunnels. Brown's controversial $25-billion plan calls for construction of two tunnels to divert water from the Sacramento River Delta to Central Valley agricultural users and Southern California.    

Ose plan also called for reforming the Endangered Species act stating  it would "allow greater flexibility in the law so that local communities and farms do not suffer the consequences of a lasting drought." The plan does not specifically say what changes Ose would support.  

Although the plan does not specifically say it, Ose's plan suggest he may be amenable to more dams to help conserve water. The plan says "Millions of acre feet of water are flowing from the district to the Ocean and Southern California. Additional upstream water retention facilities are needed to store surplus water for times of drought."