SAN FRANCISCO – Gov. Jerry Brown's plans for massive water tunnels have yet to win approval, but a report shows California already is planning to take up to 300 farms to acquire land for the project.
A 160-page report prepared by state contractors lays out plans to move rapidly to eminent domain to acquire land for two, 30-mile long tunnels.
The tunnels would help ferry water from Northern and Central California to Southern California.
Brown's administration says the huge tunnels are essential in drought-plagued California. Northern California farmers say the tunnels would destroy a vital water system.
The project is still officially in a public-comment phase.
Opponents of the tunnels say they acquired the state's plan through the open records act.
Farmer Richard Elliot says the plan shows Brown intends to force through the controversial project.
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