The proposed Tunnel is a 1995 answer to new challenges California faces in 2022. At the end of July, the 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, RTD is busy 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:Click to Join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84565411493?pwd=71GcFtWM8B03yiklXsME32nQ9Ux8vl.1 English Call-in Information:1-877-853-5247 (Toll-Free) Webinar ID: 845 6541 1493 Passcode: 083471 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:Click to Joinhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/88236180216?pwd=99fG75btij8-A1UBxwilsfsS57UXBC.1 English Call-in Information:1-888-788-0099 (Toll-Free) Webinar ID: 882 3618 0216 Passcode: 345979 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:Click to Joinhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/84861494062?pwd=jnx2K-i2_XhG47Dtw8DkncMBc-b-jD.1 English Call-in Information:1-833-548-0282 (Toll-Free) Webinar ID: 848 6149 4062 Passcode: 027472 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: 1. 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. 2. Read the two “Fact Sheets” DWR created available at the DCP EIR website: Tips for Commenting on an Environmental Impact Report What is the Draft EIR for the Delta Conveyance Project 3. 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 an 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 generations. |
 Restore the Delta presents “Where the Future Flows: Next Generation Visioning for the Delta,” a virtual symposium on October 13th and 14th. This symposium will be led by panelists who are roughly 30 and under. This event will cover various Environmental Justice related topics, such as climate change mitigation as opportunity, Harmful Algal Blooms, EJ communities, public access, cultural and historical resources, and water quality and how they fit in Delta planning. It is vital that we build a base on current issues at home and make sure that the next generation is involved in planning. The event itself will help give voices to the next generation of Delta leaders, including their own concerns for their future and their concerns for the Delta. The plan is to collect data and empower our region by encouraging discussion and inquiry on the above topics. The symposium will be a two-day long virtual event and will take place on October 13th and 14th from 4pm to 8pm. Folks that are older are welcome to attend as observers, but participation is reserved for the next generation of Delta leaders. You can sign up at this link. We hope to see you there! This event is made possible by our sponsors:  Become a sponsor today by sending us this form via email to Mariah@restorethedelta.org or mailed to 515 E Main St, Stockton, CA 95202. Sponsor Levels: $500 – Acknowledgement in program $1,000 – Advertisement on website and social media $2,500 – Advertisement on website and social media, banner advertising during the live fundraiser Friends, we need your help. The first nine months of 2022 have been action packed at Restore the Delta. In fact, we feel as if we have completed two years of work in half a year, and there is plenty more coming our way. Help us continue our fight. You can donate here. |