Decades ago, a separate, north-to-south conveyance system was envisioned as part of the original State Water Project. The idea persists because the need persists, he says.
Today, Governor Newsom sent a letter to the State Water Board explaining why granting the petition to amend water rights permits to accommodate the proposed Delta Conveyance Project would be in the public interest.
The letter begins by noting he and the preceeding two Governors have supported a Delta conveyance project of some kind because California’s prosperity depends on it. The State Water Project has made it possible for California to evolve into the economic powerhouse it has become.
“The local water agencies that pay for the State Water Project are diversifying their water sources and getting increasingly efficient, but they cannot fully replace foundational State Water Project deliveries that supply nearly half the water people use in the South Bay, Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California. Some water districts in those regions depend entirely on State Water Project supplies,” the letter states.
Governor Newsom notes that the impacts of climate change will bring thirsty plants, drier soils, and a warmer atmosphere which will, in turn, cause annual deliveries from the State Water Project to decline. At the same time, the intensity of the largest storms is increasing. “We must adapt. New infrastructure could ameliorate the decline in State Water Project supplies by capturing excess flow from big but infrequent storms. That is one of the many key benefits of the Delta Conveyance Project: It would increase the opportunities to save storm runoff for drier times.”
The current iteration of the project has a shrunken footprint and avoids or reduces the effects of noise, air quality, traffic, power, and land use, among others.
“The proposal before you has been thoughtfully refined to protect the environment, fisheries, ecosystems, water quality, and water supply. We share the task of balancing public trust resources and the many beneficial uses of water. I have considered the Delta Conveyance Project carefully and am convinced that the reach of the State Water Project and the essential nature of water make it the most important climate adaptation project we can undertake for future Californians. I urge you to weigh this compelling public interest carefully when considering DWR’s petitions.”
Read the full letter below:
Governor letter – DCPEnvironmental and Tribal groups respond to Newsom’s letter to the State Water Resources Control Board
Environmental and Tribal groups are criticizing misleading claims by Governor Gavin Newsom in his recent letter to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in support of the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC) says that the DCP is the complete opposite of a project that has been “refined to protect the environment, fisheries, ecosystems, water quality and water supply” but rather a project that will further decimate the Delta.
In actuality, operation of the DCP will reduce the monthly average water flow to the Delta in nearly all months, especially in drought, and even in wet years. Given current insufficient flows have led to an ecological crisis in the Delta, further reductions in water flow will cause inevitable and unreasonable harm to fish and wildlife and to other beneficial uses that impact communities throughout Northern California. Reducing freshwater flows and further starving the estuary is not a “compelling public interest” as noted in the letter by Governor Newsom.
Referring to the DCP, Newsom says that “California’s prosperity depends on it.” Yet, California’s prosperity will not benefit from a more than $20 billion project that will be footed by tax payers and Southern California water rates. Local officials that rely on the State Water Project are becoming increasingly aware that they do not need the Delta tunnel to achieve water resilience. The idea of a tunnel persists and each past iteration has been struck down because it is not the right solution for California. The governor continues to exaggerate the benefits while minimizing he real cost of the DCP — a devastated Delta that disadvantaged and marginalized communities depend on for the benefit of those with privilege, wealth and power.
Statement from Malissa Tayaba, Vice Chair for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians:
“Just because the Governor thinks the Delta Conveyance Project is worthy does not mean it should be approved. Tribes, Delta communities, environmental and fishing organizations and others opposed to the project have valid concerns. We need a better solution that improves tribal water access and the health of the largest estuary on the West Coast.”
Statement from Gary Mulcahy, Government Liaison for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe:
“Why does Governor Newsom continue to think Californians and Tribes are stupid. There is nothing about the Delta Tunnel Project that significantly benefits anyone except Big Ag and south of the Delta water agencies, while putting endangered species, tribal cultural resources, and disadvantaged communities and the viability of the S.F Bay-Delta itself at risk.”
Statement from Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director for Restore the Delta:
“The Delta’s fishing, recreation, and agriculture industries contribute $5 billion to California’s economy each year. Sacrificing our communities and environment just to replenish overdrawn groundwater supplies is a failure of both economic and environmental planning. Governor Newsom is selling out Northern California to benefit Southern California, but governing isn’t about choosing winners and losers – he’s supposed to represent all Californians.”
