Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

Groups Sue California's Largest Water Wholesaler Over Land Purchase

  •  Amy Quinton 
Thursday, April 14, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
  

Two counties, two water agencies and environmental groups in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are suing California’s largest water wholesaler over its efforts to buy five islands in the Delta.

The lawsuit alleges that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California improperly exempted itself from state environmental reviews in its $175 million purchase of Delta land.

Metropolitan has suggested using the land for habitat restoration or to facilitate Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to build two tunnels to carry water to southern California.

But Metropolitan attorney Catherine Stites says the court challenge is premature.

“Right now we don’t know what we’re going to do with the property, and in fact it could be held status quo for a while with no changes," Stites says. "But when our board decides what they’d like to do with the property, we will do further environmental analysis as required.”

San Joaquin County Counsel Mark Myles says the review is not premature.

“We think that when you spend $175 million on 20,000 acres that are hundreds of miles from your district, we think you’ve moved pretty far down that line and you’ve committed yourself to that project,” Myles says.

Escrow on the sale of the land is expected to close in early June.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Credit / Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

    Southern California Water Agency Takes Step To Buy Delta Land

    Tuesday, March 8, 2016
    The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has voted to enter into a contract to buy land in the hub of the state’s water system, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
  • Credit / Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

    Southern California Water Agency Moves To Purchase Delta Land

    Tuesday, November 10, 2015
    A powerful Southern California water agency is moving ahead with plans to buy a cluster of islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

 deltasacramento-sanjoaquin deltawater resourcesWater SupplyMetropolitan Water Districttwin tunnels

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

A salty dispute: California Coastal Commission unanimously rejects desalination plant

May 14, 2022

Michael A. Mariant / AP Photo

Five things to know about nuclear power in California

May 14, 2022

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

How bad is water use in California? March is the worst so far, up 19%

May 10, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: US may be vulnerable to COVID-19 come this fall and winter season

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Omicron FAQ: How long does COVID-19 last in a room? Can cloth masks be safer? Can I reuse an N95 mask?

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: US may be vulnerable to COVID-19 come this fall and winter season

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Omicron FAQ: How long does COVID-19 last in a room? Can cloth masks be safer? Can I reuse an N95 mask?

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.