The Metropolitan Water District (MWD) has been searching for their next general manager (GM) and has narrowed it down to a top three that includes local water agency general managers and the Director of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the agency behind the Delta Conveyance Project, Karla Nemeth. If she were at the helm, not only would she push the agency to commit to the 47.2% cost share of the $60-100 billion Delta Conveyance Project, but she could drive the press narrative, the lobbying efforts, and our dollars to that end.
DWR, at Governor Newsom’s bequest, has led the charge promoting this project for decades. MWD has already spent almost $1 billion since the 1990’s trying to make it happen, despite public opposition, and still has nothing to show for it. Installing his puppet is the latest attempt to push through his legacy project, on top of the many phone calls directly to board members, and several rounds of trailer bills.
We cannot let Newsom control yet another agency in California- we need a system of checks and balances. We need transparency in the hiring process, and we need a local general manager who is not put in this position to do his bidding.
It is possible that the MWD board will decide on their next GM as early as Tuesday, August 19 or possibly August 26, so we need to voice our concerns at the board meeting.
Instructions
On Tuesday August 19 at 2pm, 1-833-548-0276 and enter meeting ID: 815 2066 4276 or to join by computer click here.
Mute yourself, and you can listen to the start of the meeting, which will include a roll call, an invocation, pledge of allegiance, a presentation about a local agency, then public comment (perhaps ~20 minutes). At the public comment period, they will call first on those in person, then those online, then those on the phone. They will call the last four digits of your phone number, and that is your cue to unmute yourself by pressing *6 and give your comment. You will have three minutes to speak.
Afterwards, you may hang up and listen to the webcast at MWD's website and click where it says “In Progress” next to “Board meeting.”
If you cannot call in at that time, please email your comments to dl-boardsupportteam@mwdh2o.com before Tuesday, and ask the board secretary to share your comments with the board. You may both email and call the agency, or join us in person.
Talking Points are included here.
If you have any questions, please email Caty Wagner, Water Campaign Manager, at caty.wagner@sierraclub.org.
Thank you for supporting water sustainability and transparency at MWD.
