The California Department of Water Resources has filed an application to change the point of diversion (the location from which the State Water Project takes water) to facilitate the building of the Delta Tunnel, according to an action alert from Restore the Delta (RTD).
“RTD and partners are one party of legal protestants providing a science, policy and legal case to the Administrative Hearing Officer for the State Water Resources Control Board for these administrative-legal hearings to show that the project will harm water users in the Delta (there are 40 protesting parties),” according to RTD. “This long quasi-judicial proceeding will ultimately lead to a vote by the Board as to whether the permit will be granted to DWR to move the point of diversion for the tunnel.”
Why is This Important?
”On February 18th, a series of State Water Project water districts showed up explaining why the tunnel was absolutely necessary for their water supply due to climate change. But our research shows that their urban water plans and general plans tell a different story. (We will share more on this before the March 24th hearing),” RTD stated.
Here's How You Can Help:
“Members of the public who are not legal protestants can participate in the March 24th hearing by offering a 5 minute policy statement. We are asking you, our strongest and most time-honored supporters, to express how you, your organizations, your economic and/or environmental interests, will be harmed by the construction or operation of the tunnel. Ratepayers who also will be paying for the project can offer policy statements as to how they will be harmed,” the group wrote.
Pasted below you will find links to the RTD tunnel talking sheet and examples of comments that you can also send as letters to the editor for your local newspaper. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE this info and call it a day. Neither the AHO Officer or a newspaper will take you seriously if they receive hundreds of duplicate statements. A five minute statement for public presentation is about 450-475 words.
Tip: Personalizing your statement makes it more powerful and credible. Share how the project will affect you, your community, or your organization.
Ways to Participate:
- To take part in the process, complete the form linked here and email it to DCP-WR-Petition@waterboards.ca.gov. This will ensure your name is added to the list for the March 24th hearing.
- You can share your comment in person at the State Water Resources Control Board, located at Joe Serna Jr. CalEPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California. Please arrive by 9:00 AM, as policy statements will be heard from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Be sure to bring snacks, water, and a phone charger to stay prepared throughout the morning.
- If attending in person isn’t possible, you can also participate via Zoom at bit.ly/aho-dcp-zoom. While in-person presence has the greatest impact, we truly appreciate your involvement, whether in person or virtually.
If you'd like one of the RTD staff to review your statement before March 24th, please email it to our Youth & Outreach Program Manager, Mackenzie Owens at Mackenzie@restorethedelta.org.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s campaign to build the Delta Tunnel amped up on Feb. 19 when the Governor sent a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board claiming that the petition to amend water rights permits to accommodate the proposed Delta Conveyance Project, AKA Delta Tunnel, would be in the “compelling public interest.”
The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC) quickly responded to the Governor’s Letter, disputing Newsom’s claims that the Delta Tunnel would be in the public interest — and would instead further destroy a sensitive Bay-Delta ecosystem that has already been decimated by massive water diversions, driving Central Valley salmon and Delta fish populations closer and closer to extinction.
"Why does Governor Newsom continue to think Californians and Tribes are stupid?,” said Gary Mulcahy, Government Liaison for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. “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."
“Just because the Governor thinks the Delta Conveyance Project is worthy does not mean it should be approved,” stated Malissa Tayaba, Vice Chair for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “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."
To read more, go here: www.dailykos.com/…
