Latest news with #StateWaterProject
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
California's second-largest reservoir fills for third straight year
California's second-largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, reached capacity Friday, hitting the high water mark for the third straight year — a first for the 57-year-old reservoir. The milestone comes after a moderately wet winter in California, with enough snow in the mountains, particularly in the north, to melt and flush substantial water into state reservoirs. This week, water storage in California's major reservoirs stood at a comfortable 116% of average for the time of year, ensuring decent supplies for the rest of 2025. At Lake Oroville, about 70 miles north of Sacramento in Butte County, water levels rose Friday morning to within inches of the 900-foot elevation mark that state water managers deem full pool, prompting notice that the reservoir had hit capacity. At capacity, the lake holds 3.4 million acre-feet of water, enough to supply more than 7 million households for a year. The lake's supplies are at the heart of the State Water Project, a network of nearly two dozen dams and reservoirs run by the California Department of Water Resources. The state facilities provide drinking water for 27 million people, mostly in the Bay Area and Southern California. 'Full reservoirs allow DWR to help meet the needs of the State Water Project contractors and their customers this year as well as provide some water supply next year in the event that dry conditions return,' Raquel Borrayo, a spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources, said in an email. This past winter was the third straight with near- or above-average rain and snow in California. Accordingly, reservoirs have fared well, and statewide water supplies have remained robust. Still, water managers encourage people to conserve, pointing out the fickle nature of California weather and water. Just four years ago, severe drought pushed Lake Oroville to its lowest point since the reservoir began operating in 1968. Managers of the State Water Project have said they plan to deliver 50% of the water that contractors have requested this year, choosing to remain relatively cautious. California's largest reservoir, the federally run Shasta Lake, also hit capacity this spring. The Bureau of Reclamation-managed Central Valley Project, which supplies water to mostly agricultural users, is similarly planning to provide 50% of the water requested to the bulk of its contractors.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Northern California Lawmakers Oppose Newsom's Plan to Speed Up $20 Billion Delta Tunnel
Northern California lawmakers are pushing back against Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to expedite a $20 billion tunnel project designed to divert water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Delta Conveyance Project intends to modernize the State Water Project, a massive water management system that's over 60 years old. It would build a 45-mile tunnel to channel water from the Sacramento River to the aqueduct that serves Southern California. Newsom has Newsom, whose term ends in 2026, is seeking to streamline the project's construction. He attached a trailer bill in his 'For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape, burdened with unnecessary delay,' Newsom said in a statement. 'We're done with barriers—our state needs to complete this project as soon as possible, so that we can better store and manage water to prepare for a hotter, drier future. Let's get this built.' State lawmakers from the region say the project is a threat to the ecosystem and will send water bills soaring for millions of users. They also criticized the project's $20 billion price tag and what they say is a bypass of environmental protections. Related Stories 5/23/2025 5/21/2025 'The governor is asking for a blank check, without cost caps, without meaningful oversight, without even committee hearings,' state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, a Democrat from West Sacramento, said during a Delta Caucus Cochair Lori Wilson, a Democrat from Suisun City, said Newsom's fast-tracking of the tunnel would hurt the local economy. 'The Delta Conveyance Project will devastate the Delta ecosystem and create a massive financial burden for ratepayers,' she The project would upgrade the current conveyance system to also include a single underground tunnel, which would channel water from the Sacramento River in the northern Delta to the existing State Water Project's California Aqueduct on the southern end of the Delta, providing The 45-mile-long, 36-foot diameter tunnel would be the state's second largest infrastructure project, after the high-speed rail. California water agencies say the new infrastructure is vital for capturing water more efficiently amid climate concerns. 'Southern California stands to lose up to 10 percent of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don't act now,' Charley Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Southern California Water Coalition, said in a Desert Water Agency Board President Paul Ortega also commended Newsom's trailer bill accelerating the project. 'Ensuring the timely delivery of this important infrastructure will make our desert community and regions across the state more sustainable and protect our state's primary water supply from the impacts of climate change and disruptions from earthquakes or levee failures,' he said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Delta-area lawmakers vow to fight Newsom's plans for $20-billion water tunnel
A group of California legislators representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area said Tuesday that they will fight Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel, contending the project is a threat to their region and would leave millions of Californians paying much higher water bills. Newsom has said the tunnel project is vital to improving the reliability of water deliveries as climate change shrinks California's snowpack and alters the timing of runoff. But the Democratic lawmakers criticized Newsom's latest proposal to accelerate steps toward construction of the 45-mile tunnel by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges. 'Fast-tracking the Delta Conveyance Project is a direct attack on our region's environmental integrity, economic stability and public trust,' said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). 'We are united in our opposition to this project, not just because of what it threatens to destroy, but because of what it represents — a broken process that silences local voices.' Wilson and other members of the Delta caucus spoke at a news conference in the Capitol. They said the project would harm the Delta's farmlands, communities and ecosystem, and would place a large financial burden on ratepayers in Southern California. They said the cost, most recently estimated at $20.1 billion, is likely to be much higher. 'The project would have to be paid for by ratepayers who are already overburdened with soaring utility costs and aren't even aware of how the cost of this is going to impact them in their pocketbooks,' said state Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton). 'This project will set a precedent for bypassing well-established environmental laws." Read more: Newsom in fight to advance plans for $20-billion water tunnel in the Sacramento Delta The tunnel would transport water from the Sacramento River to the state's pumping facilities on the south side of the delta, where supplies enter the aqueducts of the State Water Project and are delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland, including parts of the Central Valley. Supporters of the plan, including water agencies in Southern California and Silicon Valley, say the state needs to build new infrastructure in the delta to protect the water supply in the face of climate change and earthquake risks. Opponents, including agencies in the delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives. The legislators called for different types of water solutions, including investing in projects to recycle wastewater, boost water storage, and rebuild aging levees in the delta to protect freshwater supplies and reduce earthquake risks. Newsom, who is set to serve through 2026 and then leave office, has said the tunnel project is critical for the state's future. The governor said his latest proposal would simplify permitting by eliminating certain deadlines from water rights permits; narrow legal review to avoid delays from legal challenges; confirm that the state has authority to issue bonds to pay for the project, which would be repaid by water agencies; and accelerate state efforts to acquire land for construction. The governor's approach, part of his latest budget proposal, was praised by supporters of the project and managers of water agencies, who said it would reduce regulatory and legal uncertainty. Charley Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Southern California Water Coalition, said the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water is declining, while demand continues to rise. "Southern California stands to lose up to 10% of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don't act," Wilson said, calling the project the best path to offsetting those losses. Graham Bradner, executive director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority, said the governor's proposal would 'save years of delay and potentially billions in costs by removing unnecessary hurdles." The legislators, however, said they will fight Newsom's attempt to short-cut the established process. 'The governor is asking for a blank check, without cost caps, without meaningful oversight, without even committee hearings,' said state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento). 'What we have before us is a proposal to advance this under the dead of night with no public oversight or input.' Read more: Newsom wants to build a $16-billion water tunnel. Will it destroy California's delta? Cabaldon stressed that the public ultimately would pay for the project. 'The real threat here is to the pocketbooks, the monthly water bills, of residents throughout Southern California,' Cabaldon said. McNerny said he expects the group of legislators will 'do pretty well in gathering Senate opposition.' 'There is going to be significant opposition. It's going to be vocal. It's going to be harsh,' he said. The project has been supported by leaders of water agencies in Southern California who are considering investing in it. In December, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to spend $141.6 million for a large share of the preliminary planning work. The district, which delivers water for 19 million people, isn't expected to decide whether to invest in building the tunnel until 2027. The legislators spoke beside leaders of environmental, fishing and tribal groups who oppose the project. Malissa Tayaba, vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said the project would harm the region and her tribe. 'It seems that to Gov. Newsom, our culture, our ancestors and the environment that sustains us is worth less than the ability to over-divert water from our rivers to send more water and money to commercial water interests,' Tayaba said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Delta-area lawmakers vow to fight Newsom's plans for $20-billion water tunnel
A group of California legislators representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area said Tuesday that they will fight Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel, contending the project is a threat to their region and would leave millions of Californians paying much higher water bills. Newsom has said the tunnel project is vital to improving the reliability of water deliveries as climate change shrinks California's snowpack and alters the timing of runoff. But the Democratic lawmakers criticized Newsom's latest proposal to accelerate steps toward construction of the 45-mile tunnel by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges. 'Fast-tracking the Delta Conveyance Project is a direct attack on our region's environmental integrity, economic stability and public trust,' said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). 'We are united in our opposition to this project, not just because of what it threatens to destroy, but because of what it represents — a broken process that silences local voices.' Wilson and other members of the Delta caucus spoke at a news conference in the Capitol. They said the project would harm the Delta's farmlands, communities and ecosystem, and would place a large financial burden on ratepayers in Southern California. They said the cost, most recently estimated at $20.1 billion, is likely to be much higher. 'The project would have to be paid for by ratepayers who are already overburdened with soaring utility costs and aren't even aware of how the cost of this is going to impact them in their pocketbooks,' said state Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton). 'This project will set a precedent for bypassing well-established environmental laws." Read more: Newsom in fight to advance plans for $20-billion water tunnel in the Sacramento Delta The tunnel would transport water from the Sacramento River to the state's pumping facilities on the south side of the delta, where supplies enter the aqueducts of the State Water Project and are delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland, including parts of the Central Valley. Supporters of the plan, including water agencies in Southern California and Silicon Valley, say the state needs to build new infrastructure in the delta to protect the water supply in the face of climate change and earthquake risks. Opponents, including agencies in the delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives. The legislators called for different types of water solutions, including investing in projects to recycle wastewater, boost water storage, and rebuild aging levees in the delta to protect freshwater supplies and reduce earthquake risks. Newsom, who is set to serve through 2026 and then leave office, has said the tunnel project is critical for the state's future. The governor said his latest proposal would simplify permitting by eliminating certain deadlines from water rights permits; narrow legal review to avoid delays from legal challenges; confirm that the state has authority to issue bonds to pay for the project, which would be repaid by water agencies; and accelerate state efforts to acquire land for construction. The governor's approach, part of his latest budget proposal, was praised by supporters of the project and managers of water agencies, who said it would reduce regulatory and legal uncertainty. Charley Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Southern California Water Coalition, said the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water is declining, while demand continues to rise. "Southern California stands to lose up to 10% of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don't act," Wilson said, calling the project the best path to offsetting those losses. Graham Bradner, executive director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority, said the governor's proposal would 'save years of delay and potentially billions in costs by removing unnecessary hurdles." The legislators, however, said they will fight Newsom's attempt to short-cut the established process. 'The governor is asking for a blank check, without cost caps, without meaningful oversight, without even committee hearings,' said state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento). 'What we have before us is a proposal to advance this under the dead of night with no public oversight or input.' Read more: Newsom wants to build a $16-billion water tunnel. Will it destroy California's delta? Cabaldon stressed that the public ultimately would pay for the project. 'The real threat here is to the pocketbooks, the monthly water bills, of residents throughout Southern California,' Cabaldon said. McNerny said he expects the group of legislators will 'do pretty well in gathering Senate opposition.' 'There is going to be significant opposition. It's going to be vocal. It's going to be harsh,' he said. The project has been supported by leaders of water agencies in Southern California who are considering investing in it. In December, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to spend $141.6 million for a large share of the preliminary planning work. The district, which delivers water for 19 million people, isn't expected to decide whether to invest in building the tunnel until 2027. The legislators spoke beside leaders of environmental, fishing and tribal groups who oppose the project. Malissa Tayaba, vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said the project would harm the region and her tribe. 'It seems that to Gov. Newsom, our culture, our ancestors and the environment that sustains us is worth less than the ability to over-divert water from our rivers to send more water and money to commercial water interests,' Tayaba said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Delta-area lawmakers vow to fight Newsom's plans for $20-billion water tunnel
A group of California legislators representing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area said Tuesday that they will fight Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel, contending the project is a threat to their region and would leave millions of Californians paying much higher water bills. Newsom has said the tunnel project is vital to improving the reliability of water deliveries as climate change shrinks California's snowpack and alters the timing of runoff. But the Democratic lawmakers criticized Newsom's latest proposal to accelerate steps toward construction of the 45-mile tunnel by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges. 'Fast-tracking the Delta Conveyance Project is a direct attack on our region's environmental integrity, economic stability and public trust,' said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). 'We are united in our opposition to this project, not just because of what it threatens to destroy, but because of what it represents — a broken process that silences local voices.' Wilson and other members of the Delta caucus spoke at a news conference in the Capitol. They said the project would harm the Delta's farmlands, communities and ecosystem, and would place a large financial burden on ratepayers in Southern California. They said the cost, most recently estimated at $20.1 billion, is likely to be much higher. 'The project would have to be paid for by ratepayers who are already overburdened with soaring utility costs and aren't even aware of how the cost of this is going to impact them in their pocketbooks,' said state Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton). 'This project will set a precedent for bypassing well-established environmental laws.' The tunnel would transport water from the Sacramento River to the state's pumping facilities on the south side of the delta, where supplies enter the aqueducts of the State Water Project and are delivered to 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland, including parts of the Central Valley. Supporters of the plan, including water agencies in Southern California and Silicon Valley, say the state needs to build new infrastructure in the delta to protect the water supply in the face of climate change and earthquake risks. Opponents, including agencies in the delta and environmental advocates, say the project is an expensive boondoggle that would harm the environment and communities, and that the state should pursue other alternatives. The legislators called for different types of water solutions, including investing in projects to recycle wastewater, boost water storage, and rebuild aging levees in the delta to protect freshwater supplies and reduce earthquake risks. Newsom, who is set to serve through 2026 and then leave office, has said the tunnel project is critical for the state's future. The governor said his latest proposal would simplify permitting by eliminating certain deadlines from water rights permits; narrow legal review to avoid delays from legal challenges; confirm that the state has authority to issue bonds to pay for the project, which would be repaid by water agencies; and accelerate state efforts to acquire land for construction. The governor's approach, part of his latest budget proposal, was praised by supporters of the project and managers of water agencies, who said it would reduce regulatory and legal uncertainty. Charley Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Southern California Water Coalition, said the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water is declining, while demand continues to rise. 'Southern California stands to lose up to 10% of our water supply from the State Water Project if we don't act,' Wilson said, calling the project the best path to offsetting those losses. Graham Bradner, executive director of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority, said the governor's proposal would 'save years of delay and potentially billions in costs by removing unnecessary hurdles.' The legislators, however, said they will fight Newsom's attempt to short-cut the established process. 'The governor is asking for a blank check, without cost caps, without meaningful oversight, without even committee hearings,' said state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento). 'What we have before us is a proposal to advance this under the dead of night with no public oversight or input.' Cabaldon stressed that the public ultimately would pay for the project. 'The real threat here is to the pocketbooks, the monthly water bills, of residents throughout Southern California,' Cabaldon said. McNerny said he expects the group of legislators will 'do pretty well in gathering Senate opposition.' 'There is going to be significant opposition. It's going to be vocal. It's going to be harsh,' he said. The project has been supported by leaders of water agencies in Southern California who are considering investing in it. In December, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to spend $141.6 million for a large share of the preliminary planning work. The district, which delivers water for 19 million people, isn't expected to decide whether to invest in building the tunnel until 2027. The legislators spoke beside leaders of environmental, fishing and tribal groups who oppose the project. Malissa Tayaba, vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said the project would harm the region and her tribe. 'It seems that to Gov. Newsom, our culture, our ancestors and the environment that sustains us is worth less than the ability to over-divert water from our rivers to send more water and money to commercial water interests,' Tayaba said.
