Calif. congressman lobbies Obama aide on delta

SACRAMENTO—A Democratic congressman is worried about plans to pipe Northern California water around the delta and wants the incoming Obama administration to take a go-slow approach.

In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama's environmental adviser, California Rep. Jerry McNerney on Tuesday warned about diverting fresh water away from the delta.

He said such a move could destroy the region's natural habitat, while hindering agriculture and commerce.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the hub of California's water-delivery system. Its maze of levees, islands and river channels funnel drinking water from Northern California's rivers to two-thirds of the state's residents.

McNerney sent his letter to Nancy Sutley, Obama's nominee to chair the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

His position puts him at odds with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose administration is examining the environmental effects of building a canal.