Groups unite against legislation that would override due process and fast track the controversial Delta Conveyance Project
Press release from Restore the Delta:
Tribal leaders, environmental justice advocates, and environmental organizations gathered today to Rally for the Delta, a coordinated effort urging lawmakers to defend California’s water rights, environmental protections, and public due process. This follows a day of advocacy where dozens of advocates from Tribes, Delta communities, environmental justice groups, fishing groups, and conservation organizations held more than 100 meetings at the State Capitol to express collective opposition to the Delta Conveyance Project and Water Quality Plan CEQA Exemption trailer bills.
Tribal members and environmental advocates urge support for equitable, proven water solutions that protect the Bay-Delta and to reject attempts to fast track the Delta Conveyance Project that threatens ecosystems, Tribal sovereignty, and public health.
“Our tribe is dedicated to maintaining and protecting our cultural ways of life. Decisions about water management should analyze impacts to tribes, and seek to avoid and minimize those impacts. The Governor’s potential trailer bills would eliminate that analysis, undermining our ability to maintain our culture and traditions. True accountability requires transparency and meaningful commitment to a future that protects tribes and our waterways,” said Vice Chair Malissa Tayaba with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
Tribes, environmental groups, fishing communities, and Delta residents remain united in opposition, warning that the Tunnel would devastate the region’s ecosystem, displace communities, and undermine both economic and cultural livelihoods.
“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. CEQA exemptions continue to attempt to erase Tribes from water governance,” said Gary Mulcahy, Government Liaison with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe.
The Delta is home to 4 million people and supports a $7 billion annual economy, including $5 billion in agriculture, $1.5 billion in commercial salmon fishing, and $780 million in recreation. At the rally, speakers highlighted the urgent need to revitalize the ecosystem and protect Delta communities and Tribes as the path forward for true climate resilience and prosperity.
“There’s no argument that California needs to take swift and decisive actions to fight climate change. But the last thing our state needs is to push through projects that would actually worsen climate change impacts, while harming the environment and costing Californians billions of dollars. The legislature needs to resist efforts by Governor Newsom and special interests that would fast track boondoggles like the Delta Tunnel, and rob citizens of the chance to ensure that new projects actually solve our economic and environmental challenges.” said Keiko Mertz, Policy Director, Friends of the River.
With the deadline to introduce bill language (September 8th) and the end of session (September 12th) drawing nearer, advocates expect the reintroduction of Delta Tunnel trailer bills to be imminent. Groups remain committed to opposing what they see as an alarming push to override public participation in order to prioritize special water and agricultural interests.
“The outcry from Delta communities, Tribes, and local elected officials is clear: attempting to push the Delta Tunnel project through the legislature at the last minute would be an effort to bypass public due process,” said Cintia Cortez, Policy Program Manager at Restore the Delta. “Organizations and Tribes are ready to push back against any attempts to fast track proposals that would be detrimental to Delta communities, ecosystems, and California’s water future.”
“California cannot afford to backslide, and to see the Newsom Administration propose to do so through profoundly disappointing budget trailer bills sets the course for disaster in the Bay-Delta Estuary,” said Defenders of Wildlife Water Policy Advisor Ashley Overhouse. “If these legislative proposals become law, environmental reviews are off the table in an already overallocated water system with decades of outdated quality standards. We ask the Legislature to reject these unlawful proposals and stand up for our state’s natural heritage, our wildlife and our communities.”
