FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS FOR DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT REPRESENT MAJOR MILESTONE TO PROPEL PROJECT FORWARD
December 8, 2023
Broad Coalition Supports Delta Conveyance Project as Essential Climate Adaptation Strategy to Secure State Water Supplies for Two-Thirds of Californians
SACRAMENTO – With today’s release of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Governor’s Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), organizations representing thousands of business and labor groups, water agencies, family farmers and others voiced their strong support for moving this project forward as quickly as possible. These groups say that updating California’s aging water infrastructure through the DCP is critical to protecting water security for two-thirds of Californians.
According to DWR, the final EIR is released after more than 142 days of public review considering the draft versions. It includes responses and revisions based on more than 7,300 public comments.
The documents released today include review of 9 project alternatives, including the status quo and no project alternative, concluding that the Bethany Alignment is the only viable plan to protect our state’s water supply and the environment. This alignment would connect to the State Water Project at the Bethany Reservoir, where the 444-mile California Aqueduct begins. It was chosen in order to minimize impacts to Delta communities and ecosystems.
The proposed project has been refined, redesigned and rerouted as a result of public input and the Governor’s 2019 direction.
Businesses and labor groups across California say this project needs to move forward as quickly as possible to secure a reliable water supply.
Michael Quigley, CA Alliance for Jobs: “We represent more than 2,000 heavy construction companies and 80,000 union construction workers from Kern County to the Oregon border and strongly support the Delta Conveyance Project. This project will protect and create nearly one million jobs across California.”
Jennifer Barrera, California Chamber of Commerce: “Today’s release of the final environmental document is an important step forward in advancing this critical plan to protect California’s water supply. California’s economy relies on the success of its private sector businesses and agricultural operations which are dependent on stable, reliable water supplies. Improving California’s water system and its infrastructure through the Delta Conveyance Project is urgently needed and we appreciate the Governor’s leadership on this project.”
Rick Callender, NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference: “The NAACP CA/HI State Conference supports the Delta Conveyance Project because we need to act urgently to prepare California for the impacts of climate change. Millions of Californians receive much of our clean drinking water from this source, and we must work to ensure the safety of this vital water supply. Ensuring that California has the capacity to move and store water when it is abundant, to save it for when it is not, is a crucial climate adaptation strategy. We must act before it is too late.”
Joseph Cruz, California State Council of Laborers: “Representing 80,000 union members working in the heavy construction industry across the state, the California State Council of Laborers is proud to support the Delta Conveyance Project and its goal of helping meet California’s long-term water supply needs. By modernizing the state’s water delivery infrastructure, the DCP will create tens of thousands of jobs while protecting water supplies from major earthquakes, floods and other challenges.”
Tracy Hernandez, Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed): “BizFed has long been an enthusiastic mobilizer of support for the Delta Conveyance Project because the ports, hospitals, warehouses, energy hubs, transportation agencies, builders, restaurants, retailers, hotels and other businesses we unite are all dependent on the cost-effective flow of clean, safe water. We must shore up water resiliency – one of California’s most pressing issues – in order for Californians to thrive.”
Adrian Covert, Bay Area Council: “The Bay Area Council, representing 350 of the region’s largest employers, supports the Delta Conveyance Project because it is vital to our economy to protect this essential water source. Water reliability is absolutely paramount to the sustainability of California’s economy. Any period of time when water deliveries are interrupted, whether due to sea level rise, flood or earthquake, will have catastrophic impacts on California’s economy. The Delta Conveyance Project is absolutely necessary to prevent system failure!”
About Californians for Water Security
CWS is a growing coalition of more than 12,000 California citizens and more than 80 organizations representing business leaders, labor, family farmers, local governments, water experts, infrastructure groups, taxpayer associations, and others who support the plan to fix California’s broken water distribution system. The coalition is waging an active advertising, grassroots lobbying, social media and public advocacy campaign to support this important project to fix our aging water distribution infrastructure and improve water reliability and security throughout the state.
For more information on Californians for Water Security,
visit:www.watersecurityca.com