The proposed Tunnel is a 1995 answer to the challenges California faces in 2022.
At the end of July, Department of Water Resources (DWR) dropped the environmental impact report (EIR) on the proposed Delta Conveyance Project. While the Newsom Administration is wasting time and failing to solve serious problems in the present. We at RTD are tackling the massive EIR document for the latest version of the tunnel.
We are focusing on operations, climate change, water quality, agricultural impacts, some fishery impacts, flood control, environmental justice, air pollution and anything that degrades Delta communities.
How You Can Help:
There will be several official EIR public meetings sponsored by DWR and the DCA during September.
Below you will find instructions from DWR on how to make a three minute virtual public comment at one of the meetings. Remember 250 to 300 words is the maximum number of words for a 3-minute comment.
Delta Conveyance Project Draft EIR Hearing Schedule and Access Information
- Tuesday, September 13, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Zoom Link:
- English Call-in Information:
- 1-877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 845 6541 1493
Passcode: 083471
- 1-877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
- Spanish Call-in Information: 602-580-9659 | Access Code: 8833787
- Chinese Call-in Information: 605-313-5814 | Access Code: 659848
- Thursday, September 22, 2022, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Zoom Link:
- English Call-in Information:
- 1-888-788-0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 882 3618 0216
Passcode: 345979
- 1-888-788-0099 (Toll Free)
- Spanish Call-in Information: 602-580-9659 | Access Code: 8833787
- Chinese Call-in Information: 605-313-5814 | Access Code: 659848
- Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Zoom Link:
- English Call-in Information:
- 1-833-548-0282 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 848 6149 4062
Passcode: 027472
- 1-833-548-0282 (Toll Free)
- Spanish Call-in Information: 602-580-9659 | Access Code: 8833787
- Chinese Call-in Information: 605-313-5814 | Access Code: 659848
Navigating The EIR For Verbal And Written Comments:
- Go to the “Read the Document” web page for the DCP where all parts of the Draft EIR on the Delta Conveyance Project are stored and scroll through it. Look at various titles of appendices just to see what is there.
- Read the two “Fact Sheets” DWR created available at the DCP EIR web site:
Tips for Commenting on an Environmental Impact Report
What is the Draft EIR for the Delta Conveyance Project
- Read “Draft EIR Explained.” This should familiarize you with the alternatives generally from the brochure. It is about 28 pages long, written to be publicly accessible. Then pick chapters to read for which you have interest or understanding.
In the weeks ahead, we will be sharing with you important points for your consideration to help you develop your own comments. But we encourage the public to read through portions of the EIR for themselves.
Whose Delta? Water For Whom? For What?
A government official who works on Delta issues, stated recently at a public meeting that the public didn’t need to fully read or understand the EIR. What utter nonsense. While the average working person cannot read and comment on every topic within the EIR, such an attitude assumes the public should not be engaged in water and climate planning in California. We pay for water management planning through our water rates and taxes, and with our health, wealth, and well-being. Water is a public trust resource. It is time to let the Newsom Administration know what your priorities are for the Delta, and the management of California’s watersheds. Heat days can become study days. Let’s do our collective best to protect our Delta and watersheds for future generation.