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: October 17, 2025
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan to the Delta Stewardship Council for the Delta Conveyance Project, as required by the Delta Reform Act. This process ensures that any state or local agency proposing a “covered action” certifies that the action complies with the Delta Plan’s policies and regulations by submitting a formal Certification of Consistency to the Council. The Certification focuses on the Bethany Reservoir alignment for the Delta Conveyance […]
Posted: January 24, 2025
From the Department of Water Resources: Today the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) affirmed that the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) planned geotechnical investigations are not a “Covered Action” under the Delta Reform Act. Therefore, the DSC dismissed all appeals on the grounds that it does not have jurisdiction over these planned geotechnical activities. In order to come to that conclusion, the DSC considered whether project proponents can consider portions of a project in the Delta Plan consistency process. In consideration of the scope of the 2024-2026 Proposed Geotechnical Activities, the DSC found that DWR was […]
Posted: January 23, 2025
Stewardship Council affirms planned geotechnical activities are not a covered action Press release from the State Water Contractors Today, the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) confirmed they do not have jurisdiction over proposed geotechnical activities for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), a ruling that will allow vital data collection work to proceed. The work, to be conducted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), will help inform future project decisions and was determined to fall outside of a “Covered Action” under […]
Posted: January 20, 2025
The Delta Stewardship Council released a draft decision last Friday dismissing the appeal from several NGOs, Tribes, and Delta water agencies against DWR’s certification of consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project. The draft decision will be discussed and possibly adopted at the Council’s meeting on Thursday. Background The 2009 Delta Reform Act created the Delta Stewardship Council and charged the Council with preparing a long-term management plan (the Delta Plan) for achieving the coequal goals of […]
Posted: December 20, 2024
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 […]
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 …
EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the Delta Conveyance Project Certification of Consistency and the appeals process
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan to the Delta Stewardship Council for the Delta Conveyance Project, as required by the Delta Reform Act. This process ensures that any state or local agency proposing a “covered action” certifies that the action complies with the Delta Plan’s policies and regulations by submitting a formal Certification of Consistency to the Council. The Certification focuses on the Bethany Reservoir alignment for the Delta Conveyance […]
DWR: The Delta Stewardship Council affirms that DWR’s planned geotechnical investigations are not within their jurisdiction and are not a Covered Action
From the Department of Water Resources: Today the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) affirmed that the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) planned geotechnical investigations are not a “Covered Action” under the Delta Reform Act. Therefore, the DSC dismissed all appeals on the grounds that it does not have jurisdiction over these planned geotechnical activities. In order to come to that conclusion, the DSC considered whether project proponents can consider portions of a project in the Delta Plan consistency process. In consideration of the scope of the 2024-2026 Proposed Geotechnical Activities, the DSC found that DWR was […]
STATE WATER CONTRACTORS: Delta Stewardship Council Rejects Attempt to Delay Delta Conveyance Project Geotechnical Activities
Stewardship Council affirms planned geotechnical activities are not a covered action Press release from the State Water Contractors Today, the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) confirmed they do not have jurisdiction over proposed geotechnical activities for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), a ruling that will allow vital data collection work to proceed. The work, to be conducted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), will help inform future project decisions and was determined to fall outside of a “Covered Action” under […]
NOTEBOOK FEATURE: Delta Stewardship Council set to dismiss appeal of Delta Conveyance Project geotechnical activities
The Delta Stewardship Council released a draft decision last Friday dismissing the appeal from several NGOs, Tribes, and Delta water agencies against DWR’s certification of consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project. The draft decision will be discussed and possibly adopted at the Council’s meeting on Thursday. Background The 2009 Delta Reform Act created the Delta Stewardship Council and charged the Council with preparing a long-term management plan (the Delta Plan) for achieving the coequal goals of […]
COMMENTARY: Delaying the Delta Conveyance Project puts California’s water security at risk
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 […]
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