From Department of Water Resources:
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) under Section 2081 of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) for the Delta Conveyance Project. Completion of this permit is an important milestone in the planning process, advancing this critical project closer to implementation.
Under CESA, DWR is required to obtain an ITP to minimize, avoid, and fully mitigate impacts to threatened or endangered species as a result of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Delta Conveyance Project.
The Delta Conveyance Project is one of California’s most important climate adaptation strategies. By modernizing the infrastructure of the State Water Project, it will protect water supply reliability for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.
By developing infrastructure – including intake and tunneling facilities – on the Sacramento River in the Delta region, the Delta Conveyance Project would better equip the State Water Project to take advantage of the types of atmospheric rivers that are becoming more common. This would expand the state’s ability to improve water supply reliability, while maintaining fishery and water quality protections.
ITP Background
Incidental Take Permits are most commonly issued for construction, utility, transportation, and other infrastructure-related projects. Permittees must implement species-specific minimization and avoidance measures and fully mitigate the impacts of the project.
Avoidance and minimization measures are actions that are incorporated into the engineering or design of the Delta Conveyance Project and are intended to avoid, reduce, or minimize adverse effects that apply to one or more species. These measures are collaboratively developed by DWR and CDFW. Examples of general measures used in the past include:
- Erecting protective fencing around sensitive habitat within construction sites
- Limited operating periods to avoid species breeding, migration, etc.
- Pre-construction surveys to identify and mark sensitive or suitable habitat features
- Onsite construction personnel education programs covering species identification, protected status, and measures to take if one is found.
More information about the Delta Conveyance Project ITP and associated documentation can be found on the project’s permit portal website here.
Related, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has evaluated the operational changes proposed through CESA consultation and found there are no changes to the impact assessment presented in the Final EIR. More information here.
Statement from Governor Gavin Newsom:
Governor Newsom announced today another important step in the state’s work to modernize its water infrastructure through the Delta Conveyance Project. Passing yet another critical milestone, the project received a required Incidental Take Permit. The permit includes measures to minimize, avoid, and fully mitigate impacts on threatened or endangered species as a result of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Delta Conveyance Project.
“California doesn’t have to choose between safeguarding endangered species and protecting our water supply — this permit demonstrates we can do both,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Delta Conveyance Project will upgrade the State Water Project, enabling California’s water managers to capture and move more water during high-flow atmospheric rivers to better endure dry seasons. The tunnel, a modernization of the infrastructure system that delivers water to millions of people, would improve California’s ability to take advantage of intense periods of rain and excess flows in the Sacramento River.
Here are some facts about the DCP
By developing infrastructure – including intake and tunneling facilities – on the Sacramento River in the Delta region, the Delta Conveyance Project would better equip the State Water Project to take advantage of the types of atmospheric rivers that are becoming more common. This would expand the state’s ability to improve water supply reliability, while maintaining fishery and water quality protections. During atmospheric rivers last year, the Delta Conveyance Project could have captured enough water for 9.8 million people’s yearly usage.
California is expected to lose 10% of its water supply due to hotter and drier conditions, threatening the water supply for millions of Californians. Extreme weather whiplash will result in more intense swings between droughts and floods – California’s 60-year-old water infrastructure is not built for these climate impacts.
“We are proceeding with confidence towards implementing this critical project to protect our state’s primary supply of clean, affordable water,” said Karla Nemeth, Director of California’s Department of Water Resources.
Safeguarding protected species
The Incidental Take Permit was issued to the Department of Water Resources by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Incidental take permits are most commonly issued for construction, utility, transportation, and other infrastructure-related projects. Permittees must implement species-specific minimization and avoidance measures and fully mitigate the impacts of the project including:
- Erecting protective fencing around sensitive habitat within construction sites.
- Limited operating periods to avoid species breeding, migration, etc.
- Pre-construction surveys to identify and mark sensitive or suitable habitat features.
- Onsite construction personnel education programs covering species identification, protected status, and measures to take if one is found.
The Delta Conveyance Project is critical to the Governor’s build more, faster agenda to modernize our water infrastructure and increase resilience to protect communities in the face of extreme droughts and floods. Learn more at build.ca.gov.
Statement from Restore the Delta:
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) has received a required Incidental Take Permit to advance the boondoggle project. Built on flawed voluntary agreements, the DCP seeks to divert vital river water into a costly tunnel that fails to address real climate-resilient water solutions or deliver affordable outcomes for Californians.
Statement by Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta: Governor Newsom is pushing forward with the DCP at the expense of the Delta’s communities, all while cutting a deal with President Trump to pump the Delta dry. The Bay Delta’s economy and environment will be completely destroyed by this apparent Newsom-Trump alliance. Why is Newsom hastening the destruction of the Bay Delta estuary while Trump is federalizing California water management? Restore the Delta remains committed to fighting to protect the Delta and the people that depend on it.
Statement from the State Water Contractors:
According to DWR’s most recent Delivery Capability Report, a changing climate could reduce the reliability of the SWP by as much as 23 percent over the next two decades. California has been taking aggressive action to prepare for extremes by securing reliable water supplies. The Delta Conveyance Project represents a critical step in modernizing our water infrastructure to adapt to rising sea levels, safeguard against earthquakes, and ensure the continued delivery of reliable water supplies to over 27 million Californians, 750,000 acres of farmland, and countless businesses.
Statement from Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors:
“The State Water Contractors welcome the forward momentum by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Water Resources in completing this ITP, a foundational step towards realizing the Delta Conveyance Project and ensuring California is prepared for a future shaped by climate change. As the Department of Water Resources continues to pursue the few remaining permits, the State Water Contractors look forward to working on behalf of our participating member agencies to advance the maximum benefits of this project. Every day of delay increases the project costs by $1 million and perpetuates the risk of a major disruption to water supplies. The urgency with which the State is moving forward on this project is both critical and appreciated.”
Statement from Chandra Chilmakuri, Assistant General Manager of the State Water Contractors:
“We look forward to working with DWR to ensure the full benefits of the Delta Conveyance Project are realized and to explore ways to expand the benefits of the SWP before and after the project is operational, guided by the best available science.
“Recent votes to continue progress on the Delta Conveyance Project underscore its importance and necessity. Thirteen agencies, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves more than 19 million people across six counties, have approved funding for ongoing planning and preconstruction activities. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis by the Department of Water Resources has demonstrated that the project will generate $2.20 in benefits for every dollar spent, amounting to nearly $38 billion in total benefits.
“Together, these milestones reaffirm the Delta Conveyance Project’s vital role in securing California’s water future amidst unprecedented climate-driven challenges.”
