Today, the State Water Contractors joined state leaders and a broad coalition of business, water, labor, housing and social justice groups to urge legislative support for the Delta Conveyance Project budget trailer bill. Proposed by Governor Newsom as part of his May Revise, the bill would simplify permitting, confirm funding authority and narrow the opportunity for ongoing, costly litigation.The project need is underscored by a Department of Water Resources report that found the Delta Conveyance Project to be the single most effective climate adaptation strategy. Progress on the Delta Conveyance Project is critical to protect the delivery capability and reliability of the State Water Project, California’s primary water delivery infrastructure.
“The State Water Project is the foundation of California’s thriving economy, ensuring that three-fourths of all of California’s disadvantaged communities have access to clean, affordable water, providing significant electric grid reliability support, offering varied recreational opportunities and flood control throughout Northern California. It must be repaired to avoid water supply disruption to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland,” said Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors. “The legislature has an opportunity to move forward with planning and permitting. while ensuring that environmental review and public process remain intact.”
Streamlining proposals have benefitted other large public works projects in recent years. They are not project approvals — they do not greenlight construction or bypass environmental protections – but enable long-overdue planning and decision-making so that California can adapt our water infrastructure before the next crisis hits.
“California doesn’t need to be in an emergency every time there is a drought, and we know there will be more in the future,” said Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor. “We must follow through with real investments to repair the State Water Project and advance the Delta Conveyance Project. These projects are essential to protecting water affordability for our communities, safeguarding our economy and protecting the environment as climate impacts intensify. I urge my colleagues in the legislature to support ongoing planning and progress on the project.”
Each year of delay increases project costs due to inflation. California ratepayers deserve better. Delta Conveyance has been studied for 40+ years, and today’s project is refined, redesigned and right sized to address community concerns and reduce environmental impacts.
“All of the science is clear. Without urgent investments to repair the State Water Project and advance the Delta Conveyance Project, too many Californians – especially those in disadvantaged communities – could face higher costs and less reliable water,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “Modernizing this system is not just about climate resilience, it’s about keeping water affordable and accessible for the millions of people who need it most.”
The Delta Conveyance Project is an essential climate adaptation strategy and part of a broader suite of actions — desalination, recycling, conservation, levee improvements, etc. — that can and should be taken to maximize water use efficiency and help ensure that the State Water Project can continue to meet California’s water needs into the future.
The State Water Contractors is a statewide, non-profit association of 27 public agencies from Northern, Central and Southern California that purchase water under contract from the California State Water Project. Collectively, the State Water Contractors deliver water to more than 27 million residents throughout the state and more than 750,000 acres of agricultural land. For more information on the State Water Contractors, please visit www.swc.org.
The views and opinions expressed in this press release are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maven’s Notebook.
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