ICYMI: California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marks New Milestone with Delta Conveyance Project; Issues Incidental Take Permit
February 19, 2025
SACRAMENTO – In case you missed it, last week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued a required Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) to modernize the state’s water infrastructure. The ITP includes measures to mitigate impacts on threatened or endangered species as a result of the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Delta Conveyance Project.
The ITP represents a significant milestone in the progress of the Delta Conveyance Project which will provide long-overdue modernizations to California’s water infrastructure and better prepare the state for climate change and the resulting extreme droughts, floods, and increasing salinity from rising sea levels.
Climate change threatens to reduce the capabilities of the State Water Project by 23%, meaning water supply for nearly 67% of Californians will be in jeopardy. The issuance of the ITP brings California one step closer to ensuring a reliable water supply for all.
The Governor also said, “California doesn’t have to choose between safeguarding endangered species and protecting our water supply – this permit demonstrates we can do both.”
The Delta Conveyance Project, supported by Californians for Water Security, aligns with Governor Newsom’s vision for a single pipeline conveyance system through the Delta. This investment ensures California’s water delivery system is built to meet today’s needs and the challenges of the future.
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