By Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors
The State Water Project, a cornerstone of California’s water delivery system, runs on 1960s-era infrastructure. This aging system is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, seismic risks and environmental challenges. Modernizing it with the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is essential to ensure sustainable and reliable access to the water that powers our state’s communities, farms and industries.
That’s why recent attempts to delay progress on the DCP before the Delta Stewardship Council are not just frustrating — they’re harmful.
DCP opponents argue that conducting geotechnical investigations necessary to inform the engineering and design of the DCP is currently inconsistent with the Delta Plan — the long-term plan that guides the management of the Delta’s water supply and environmental resources. This claim simply doesn’t hold water and fundamentally misrepresents the nature and purpose of geotechnical work.
The geotechnical investigations do not represent implementation of the DCP, but rather exploratory activities designed to gather the data necessary to further refine engineering and design as well as to inform future approvals and funding decisions on the project.
Moreover, these activities align directly with the Delta Plan’s core policies, which prioritize the use of the best available science and adaptive management strategies. By gathering detailed, site-specific data, DWR is taking a responsible, science-driven approach to planning — a hallmark of Delta Plan compliance.
It’s worth noting that the need for further geotechnical activities was disclosed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified in December 2023. These activities are neither new nor unexpected; they are a continuation of work that has been underway for years.
The appeals posed before the Delta Stewardship Council are thinly veiled delay tactics designed to slow progress, drain resources and distract from the pressing need to modernize California’s water infrastructure.
Each delay in advancing this critical project increases the risks to our water security and costs water ratepayers over $1 million a day. Californians deserve solutions, not endless litigation and obstruction.
The DCP represents a forward-thinking investment in California’s future.
Opponents may continue to argue otherwise, but the facts are clear: the DCP is the right solution at the right time, and delaying its progress only puts our water security at risk and makes climate adaptation more expensive. It’s time to focus on the real work at hand — building a sustainable water future for California.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maven’s Notebook.
More coverage on Maven’s Notebook …
Posted: November 18, 2025
From the Delta Stewardship Council: The following parties have appealed the California Department of Water Resources Certification of Consistency (C20257) for the Delta Conveyance Project, which was submitted to the Delta Stewardship Council on October 17, 2025. C20257-A1 – Delta Protection Commission C20257-A2 – Courtland Pear Fair C20257-A3 – County of Sacramento and Sacramento County Water Agency C20257-A4 – Steamboat Resort C20257-A5 – San Francisco Baykeeper, Winnemem Wintu, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Restore the Delta, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, […]
Posted: November 18, 2025
Press release from the Delta Protection Commission The Delta Protection Commission voted today to appeal the Department of Water Resources’s certification that the Delta Conveyance Project is consistent with the Delta Plan. The Project would create a 45-mile tunnel starting on the Sacramento River at the town of Hood and ending at the Bethany Reservoir west of Tracy, near the community of Mountain House in the South Delta. The Commission’s appeal contends that the Project would do lasting harm to […]
Posted: November 8, 2025
From Restore the Delta: Environmental advocates are calling on the Delta Stewardship Council (Council) to honor its commitments to environmental justice, fairness and transparency for public review of the Certification of Consistency for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). In a letter sent on November 6, San Francisco Baykeeper and Restore the Delta urged the Council to extend deadlines to ensure proper public participation, criticizing the current timeline and process for being rushed and shutting out Tribes and Delta residents. The Department […]
Posted: October 24, 2025
Press release from Governor Gavin Newsom: Governor Gavin Newsom announced two recent key victories to advance the Delta Conveyance Project — a critical infrastructure project to safeguard California’s water supplies amid a hotter, drier future. The administration secured a court decision reversing a preliminary injunction that was previously blocking pre-construction geotechnical work. Additionally, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has submitted a certification of consistency for the broader project to the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC). These victories help the […]
Posted: October 17, 2025
From the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project on October 17, 2025. According to Delta Stewardship Council regulations, materials relevant to this certification will be posted on their website (https://coveredactions.deltacouncil.ca.gov), if the Certification is appealed, an appeal hearing will be held by the Council followed by the issuance of a determination on the appeal. However, to support consideration of these materials by the public, DWR has prepared the Delta Conveyance Project Certification […]
COMMENTARY: Delaying the Delta Conveyance Project puts California’s water security at risk
By Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors
That’s why recent attempts to delay progress on the DCP before the Delta Stewardship Council are not just frustrating — they’re harmful.
DCP opponents argue that conducting geotechnical investigations necessary to inform the engineering and design of the DCP is currently inconsistent with the Delta Plan — the long-term plan that guides the management of the Delta’s water supply and environmental resources. This claim simply doesn’t hold water and fundamentally misrepresents the nature and purpose of geotechnical work.
The geotechnical investigations do not represent implementation of the DCP, but rather exploratory activities designed to gather the data necessary to further refine engineering and design as well as to inform future approvals and funding decisions on the project.
Moreover, these activities align directly with the Delta Plan’s core policies, which prioritize the use of the best available science and adaptive management strategies. By gathering detailed, site-specific data, DWR is taking a responsible, science-driven approach to planning — a hallmark of Delta Plan compliance.
It’s worth noting that the need for further geotechnical activities was disclosed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified in December 2023. These activities are neither new nor unexpected; they are a continuation of work that has been underway for years.
The appeals posed before the Delta Stewardship Council are thinly veiled delay tactics designed to slow progress, drain resources and distract from the pressing need to modernize California’s water infrastructure.
Each delay in advancing this critical project increases the risks to our water security and costs water ratepayers over $1 million a day. Californians deserve solutions, not endless litigation and obstruction.
The DCP represents a forward-thinking investment in California’s future.
Opponents may continue to argue otherwise, but the facts are clear: the DCP is the right solution at the right time, and delaying its progress only puts our water security at risk and makes climate adaptation more expensive. It’s time to focus on the real work at hand — building a sustainable water future for California.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maven’s Notebook.
More coverage on Maven’s Notebook …
DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: Ten appeals filed for the Delta Conveyance Project consistency determination
From the Delta Stewardship Council: The following parties have appealed the California Department of Water Resources Certification of Consistency (C20257) for the Delta Conveyance Project, which was submitted to the Delta Stewardship Council on October 17, 2025. C20257-A1 – Delta Protection Commission C20257-A2 – Courtland Pear Fair C20257-A3 – County of Sacramento and Sacramento County Water Agency C20257-A4 – Steamboat Resort C20257-A5 – San Francisco Baykeeper, Winnemem Wintu, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Restore the Delta, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, […]
PRESS RELEASE: Delta Protection Commission appeals Delta Conveyance Project
Press release from the Delta Protection Commission The Delta Protection Commission voted today to appeal the Department of Water Resources’s certification that the Delta Conveyance Project is consistent with the Delta Plan. The Project would create a 45-mile tunnel starting on the Sacramento River at the town of Hood and ending at the Bethany Reservoir west of Tracy, near the community of Mountain House in the South Delta. The Commission’s appeal contends that the Project would do lasting harm to […]
PRESS RELEASE: Environmental advocates push for fair and inclusive process, not fast-tracking, of the Delta tunnel
From Restore the Delta: Environmental advocates are calling on the Delta Stewardship Council (Council) to honor its commitments to environmental justice, fairness and transparency for public review of the Certification of Consistency for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). In a letter sent on November 6, San Francisco Baykeeper and Restore the Delta urged the Council to extend deadlines to ensure proper public participation, criticizing the current timeline and process for being rushed and shutting out Tribes and Delta residents. The Department […]
PRESS RELEASE: Governor advances Delta Conveyance Project through two key milestones
Press release from Governor Gavin Newsom: Governor Gavin Newsom announced two recent key victories to advance the Delta Conveyance Project — a critical infrastructure project to safeguard California’s water supplies amid a hotter, drier future. The administration secured a court decision reversing a preliminary injunction that was previously blocking pre-construction geotechnical work. Additionally, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has submitted a certification of consistency for the broader project to the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC). These victories help the […]
THIS JUST IN … DWR Submits Delta Conveyance Project Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan
From the Department of Water Resources The Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project on October 17, 2025. According to Delta Stewardship Council regulations, materials relevant to this certification will be posted on their website (https://coveredactions.deltacouncil.ca.gov), if the Certification is appealed, an appeal hearing will be held by the Council followed by the issuance of a determination on the appeal. However, to support consideration of these materials by the public, DWR has prepared the Delta Conveyance Project Certification […]
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