Massive water tunnels not yet approved, but California is already planning to take farms
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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.
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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.
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Farmer Richard Elliot says the plan shows Brown intends to force through the controversial project.