An Important Win for San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary Coalition

An effort to fast track a controversial project to construct a 45 mile, 36 foot diameter tunnel that would divert water from the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary to supply consumers to the south including agricultural businesses and urban residents has been defeated. Agriculture consumes 4 times the volume of water than cities and towns in the state. This surely does not mean the project is dead. But it does reveal that there is a substantial coalition that has worked hard to gather support to throw a major roadblock to the Delta Conveyance Project (aka Delta Tunnel). This fast track approach would have added trailer bills to California’s budget.

What would these bills have established?

Bypass established environmental review and public participation processes.
Given unlimited bonding authority to the Department of Water Resources for the Delta Conveyance Project.
Fast tracked the DCP construction.
Eliminated the administrative record access.
Eliminated the public participation for the so-called “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes” Program also known as the “voluntary agreements”.

Why did the trailer bills get defeated?

A coalition of more than 50 organizations of Tribes, environmental justice organizations, fishing groups, conservation advocates, and Delta communities opposed the trailer bills. Some of the members include, Restore the Delta, California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance, Golden State Salmon Association and Friends of the River.
State residents emailed and called their representatives to voice disapproval.
The Delta Legislative Caucus unified around opposition to the bills.

What are primary reasons for opposition?

An estimated cost of $20-$100 billion dollars, with an expected cost burden to rate payers.
Environmental concerns, including harm to ecosystems and an incomplete environmental impact report.
Harm to native fish populations, including endangered salmon which are already in severe decline as demonstrated by the closure of the commercial salmon fishery for 3 years.
Construction impact (expected to last about 15 years) could disrupt ecosystems and threaten habitats, by increasing sedimentation and pollution in the Delta’s waterways, disrupt farming operations, affect local water supplies, and increase noise and traffic in surrounding areas.
Prime delta farmland could be diminished and/or disrupted.
Delta residents and legislators declaring that the process is not responsive to local concerns and input.

What possible are alternate measures instead of one massive project?

Increase water conservation
Desalination
Improve groundwater management, including groundwater recharge
Increase wastewater recycling
Fortify existing Delta levees

I was pleased and relieved to hear about how sometimes positive results can be attained by a collection of grassroots organizations and individuals from different backgrounds to stand up to powerful agencies and corporate interests and push back one more time. Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club supports Restore the Delta California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance with contributions. They play an important role in this ongoing effort. Also, Santa Cruz Fly Fishing and Northern California Council Fly Fishers International signed this letter opposing the trailer bills.

Photo credit: The Freshwater Trust (TFT)