RBOC has filed its concerns with the negative impact that the California WaterFIx would have on the ability of recreational boaters to navigate and recreate in the Sacramento—San Joaquin Delta. Of particular note:
1. There has been insufficient time to review the responses to RBOC and other comments that were submitted as far back as 2013.
RBOC is therefore urging that the public comment deadline on the 2016 Final BDCP/California WaterFix EIR/EIS be extended.
Based on our initial review of the responses to RBOC’s comments, our organization believes that many responses are insufficient, ambiguous and/or unresponsive.
2. As discussed in the 2016 Final BDCP/California WaterFix EIR/EIS, the California WaterFix would severely restrict navigable waterways during construction of the twin tunnels.
This is contrary to the California State Constitution, Article 10, Section 4 of which provides that “No individual, partnership, or corporation, claiming or possessing the frontage or tidal lands of a harbor, bay, inlet, estuary, or other navigable water in this State, shall be permitted to exclude the right of way to such water whenever it is required for any public purpose, nor to destroy or obstruct the free navigation of such water; and the Legislature shall enact such laws as will give the most liberal construction to this provision, so that access to the navigable waters of this State shall be always attainable for the people thereof.”
3. The planned temporary closure of significant recreational waterways including Twin Sloughs and Mildred Island are unacceptable, unmitigated and unconstitutional.
RBOC's concerns have been filed within the public comments on the 2016 Final BDCP/California WaterFix EIR/EIS. This is in addition to extensive comments that RBOC has submitted within this proceding in an effort to protect the ability of recreational boaters to navigate and recreate in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.