WITH STATE CERTIFICATION OF DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT EIR, SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES, LABOR AND BUSINESS LEADERS ACROSS CALIFORNIA URGE GOVERNOR TO URGENTLY IMPLEMENT CRITICAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
December 21, 2023
Broad Coalition Supports Delta Conveyance Project as Essential Climate Adaptation Strategy to Secure State Water Supplies for Two-Thirds of Californians
SACRAMENTO – Today, as the state certifies the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Governor’s Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), organizations representing thousands of social justice advocates, labor and business groups, water agencies and family farmers are urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to move 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. The proposed project has been refined, redesigned and rerouted as a result of public input and the Governor’s 2019 direction.
That’s why leaders from across the state are emphasizing that the project is needed urgently to protect water access for millions of Californians. Below are highlighted quotes from some of those advocates:
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.”
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.”
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.”
Last week, dozens of groups signed onto CWS’s letter urging the Governor to move forward with the DCP:
“This project is essential to complete an ‘all of the above’ water infrastructure strategy necessary to ensure Californians have a reliable and affordable supply of water as we prepare for the worsening impacts of climate change and extreme weather.
With the recent release of the Final Environmental Impact Report, we encourage local water agencies and elected officials to support this vital project.
There is no greater priority than ensuring a reliable water supply for the people of California—it is essential for our health, homes, livelihood and economy.”
Finally, Californians agree that the need to protect our water infrastructure through the DCP is urgent. Recent polling conducted by the Californians for Water Security coalition found that 76% of voters across all regions, political parties and major demographics are highly supportive of the Delta Conveyance Project, including:
- 80% support in Southern California
- 73% support in the Bay Area
- 78% support in San Diego
- 74% support in Central Coast/Central Valley
- 79% support in the Inland Empire
- Nearly 2/3 of Northern California voters
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
###