STOCKTON — The Army Corps of Engineers is conducting an in-person forum tonight at 6 p.m. on the Delta Tunnel project.

It takes place at 6 p.m. at the University Waterfront Hotel in Stockton.

The Army Corps reversed course and opted to have an in-person workshop after Representative Josh Harder pushed for months to make it happen.

“While I’m glad they finally agreed to hold an in-person event to hear from San Joaquin families about the Delta Tunnel project, this is only step one. Step two is killing this project once and for all,” Harder said. “I’ll continue to say it loud and clear – we will not let them take our water. I encourage members of our community who want to make their voices heard on the Delta Tunnel project to attend (tonight’s) in-person meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers.”

Earlier this month, Harder sent a letter on behalf of concerned members of the San Joaquin community opposing the Delta Tunnel and criticizing the Army Corps for refusing to host an in-person town hall to discuss the project.

Harder’s letter came after he hosted two Water Town Halls — one in French Camp and one in Lodi — attended hundreds of community members who expressed unanimous opposition to the Delta Tunnel water grab.

Harder last month reintroduced legislation directing the Army Corps not to issue a federal permit required for the endeavor to move forward.

Harder’s legislation is co-authored with three other members of Congress from the Central Valley.

 “The Delta Tunnel is a zombie project,” Harder said referencing fights dating  back to  the statewide 1982 ballot vote that blocked the earlier version of a Delta conveyance that was dubbed the Peripheral Canal.

The Army Corps in a bid to provide additional opportunity for public input, has extended the comment period to March 16. Originally, it was scheduled to end next Tuesday.

People are able to go to the Army Crops’ Regulatory Division website and make a public comment at: Delta Conveyance (army.mil)

The Army Corps has conducted three virtual meetings with more than 170 people in attendance on the tunnel’s environmental documents.

The virtual meetings were arranged when COVID-19 regulations were still in effect.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyattmantecabulletin.com