A drone aerial view of Bethany Dams and Reservoir, located on the California Aqueduct and downstream from the Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant.
Credit: CA. DWR

Delta communities are firmly against the project and have not been included in any step of the process

Sacramento is trying to get federal funds to jam the project through despite the state’s own Environmental Impact Report acknowledging harmful impacts

January 12, 2024 - WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-9) led his Delta region colleagues in urging the US Bureau of Reclamation to deny Sacramento’s request for federal funding for the Delta Tunnel project. This is the first time the US Bureau of Reclamation has been asked to get involved in the Delta Tunnel project, which would open it up for federal support and funding. Harder was joined by four other Delta region Representatives: Reps. John Garamendi (CA-8), Mike Thompson (CA-4), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), and Doris Matsui (CA-7).

Last month, Harder led his colleagues in demanding the California Natural Resources Agency halt all Delta Tunnel activity following the release of its own troubling Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The report acknowledges what Harder and other Delta Tunnel opponents have known for years: the project threatens endangered fish populations, will destroy farmland, and harm water quality. Harder hosted multiple town halls after the Army Corps of Engineers refused to host their own in-person town hall to discuss the Delta Tunnel project.

“Read my lips: zero federal dollars should go to this terrible project. I will fight tooth and nail to stop this disaster from moving forward,” said Rep. Harder. “Delta communities are united in opposition to this water grab and we’ll keep using every avenue possible to stop Sacramento from stealing our water and shipping it down to Beverly Hills.”

Read Rep. Harder’s full letter here:

Dear Commissioner Touton,

We write to urge the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to reject the California Department of Water Resources’ request that Reclamation join as a co-petitioner in support of a request before the California State Water Resources Control Board for a change in water rights, including a change in the point of diversion, to enable the construction of up to three large new intakes on the Sacramento River for the State’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project, more commonly known as the Delta tunnel.

As you know, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the largest freshwater tidal estuary on the West Coast supporting California fisheries, thousands of acres of farmland, and the livelihoods of millions living in the region. As proposed, this misguided project would permanently alter and irreparably damage the Delta landscape and waterways. The tunnel would threaten family farms and agricultural operations, tribal cultural resources, and imperil the fragile Delta ecosystem and surrounding communities. The construction phase alone, spanning over 13 years, will be highly disruptive, and the long-term operational impacts, which are not analyzed in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Delta tunnel, are of deep concern. Region IX of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressed concerns in March 2023, stating the Delta tunnel would have, unless mitigated, “substantial and unacceptable impacts” on the Delta, “an aquatic resource of national importance.”   

In 2019, the State of California terminated a highly contested water rights process for the predecessor project, known as the California WaterFix or Delta twin tunnels, after several years of joint effort with Reclamation. This time, Central Valley Project water users have not expressed a united interest in participating in the project due to the very high risks and costs associated with the construction and operation of the single tunnel. For all the reasons stated above, we strongly discourage Reclamation from joining as a supporter of this controversial project in any way, particularly before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes a review of the full environmental consequences of the construction and operation of the proposed Delta tunnel as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and federal Clean Water Act. 

Thank you for your leadership and considering our concerns. We look forward to hearing from you as you consider this important matter.

Sincerely,

Josh Harder

John Garamendi

Mike Thompson

Mark DeSaulnier

Doris Matsui
Source: Congressman Josh Harder