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Supervisor Darren McDaniel says NEPA delays are stalling Atwater–Merced Expressway and warns of SNAP disruptions
Summary
County Supervisor Darren McDaniel told the Atwater City Council that federal NEPA/EPA review issues are holding up the Atwater–Merced Expressway and other road projects, and he warned Merced County faces near-term SNAP benefit interruptions (about $11.7 million per month); the county is coordinating with food banks.
Supervisor Darren McDaniel gave the council a monthly report focused on transportation investments and social‑safety‑net stress. He said the California Transportation Commission toured local projects including loading docks at Patriot Rail and the bridges on State Route 59, and that those visits highlighted the region’s infrastructure needs.
McDaniel told the council that the Atwater–Merced Expressway — a project that had been ready to move dirt — is caught in a broader slowdown because of complications in the federal NEPA review triggered by recent executive actions. “We were ready to move dirt because we got an executive order from the EPA secretary to be able to move that dirt,” McDaniel said, adding that a subsequent presidential executive order to streamline air‑regulation review disrupted the NEPA calculations and has delayed projects across California.
He said federal funding flows that pass through state agencies are also slowing local projects and that the current federal approach has kept some county projects from receiving funds directly. McDaniel said the State Route 99 coalition — a regional push that includes local counties and the CTC — remains a priority for securing state and federal investment in the corridor.
McDaniel also warned of strains on food assistance if the federal government remains partially shut down. Citing county figures, he said, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program per month in Merced County represents 11.7 million,” and compared that to what he called the county Board of Supervisors’ discretionary total of about $11.9 million. He said the county is working with local food banks and partners to coordinate responses while awaiting federal action to release funds.
The presentation drew no public comment. McDaniel thanked the mayor and the CTC for visiting and emphasized the county’s continued advocacy for direct funding pathways and expedited federal review to keep local projects on schedule.
What's next: McDaniel said county staff will continue coordination with Caltrans, the CTC and local partners; no vote or formal council action followed the report.
