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Coverage of Restore the Delta’s response to the Department of Water Resources’ petition to change the point of diversion for the Delta tunnel.
Restore the Delta: DWR Files Petition to Change Delta Water Rights Despite Civil Rights Investigation by the US EPA – Maven’s Notebook 2/23/24
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) under the Newsom Administration announced yesterday that it has submitted a petition to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to change water rights for implementation of the Delta Conveyance Project, also known as the Delta tunnel, despite the SWRCB being under investigation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Title VI Civil Rights complaint.
The complaint, filed by the Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), comprised of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Buena Vista Rancheria, Restore the Delta, and Little Manila Rising, was accepted by the EPA in August 2023. The complaint outlines the SWRCB’s discriminatory mismanagement of water quality in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed as well as the disparate impacts of the state’s failure to regulate the Delta watershed on the surrounding community. Notably, it requests the completion of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Plan before the SWRCB considers the change in the point of diversion for the Delta tunnel.
…Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta, expressed disappointment with DWR’s filing with the State Water Resources Control Board. She stated, “DWR, speaking on behalf of the State Water Resources Control Board’s actions while our petition for relief is under investigation with the US EPA, reveals the lack of proper regulatory distance between the Newsom Administration’s pro-tunnel agenda and State regulators tasked with protecting and considering impacts on all water users and related parties throughout the state.”
CA Department of Water Resources files petition to change Delta water rights to build Delta Tunnel – Daily Kos 2/23/24
…The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition also slammed DWR’s submission of the petition, pointing out that it was submitted despite the SWRCB being under investigation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Title VI Civil Rights complaint.
…Barrigan-Parrilla pointed out that DWR has overlooked significant concerns of Delta environmental justice communities and tribes in its Environmental Impact Report for the project. This is especially concerning given DWR’s claim that the tunnel will address water challenges for all environmental justice communities and tribes, revealing the divide and conquer tactics being used by the Newsom Administration. Barrigan-Parrilla also highlighted the State Water Resources Control Board’s failure to complete and implement a Bay-Delta Plan that addresses the documented needs of Delta tribes and environmental justice communities.
Join us on Friday April 12, 2024 for dinner, wine, and the Delta Advocate Award ceremony at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi, CA.
We are so excited to announce the 3rd annual Where the Future Flows fundraiser! Not only is it a time to celebrate our work, but more importantly, it is time for our community to position ourselves for triumph against the Delta Tunnel together.
This year we are honoring the following individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Delta:
Delta Legacy Award (In Memoriam of Delta Leaders who have passed):
Larry Ruhstaller, Restore the Delta Board Member Posthumous Emeritus
Delta Advocate Award:
Tama Brisbane, With Our Words
Ahmad Majid, With Our Words
Emily Pappalardo, Engineer
Delta Protector Award:
Kelley Taber, Attorney for Delta Government Entities
Next Generation Leadership Award for the Delta:
Keiko Mertz, Friends of the River
Delaina Castillo, Stanford Law
Makena Kauhane, Stanford Law
Tickets are $150 each. This includes live music, dinner, passed appetizers, poured Delta Wine and Beer, and dessert!
Sponsorships are available here!
Sacramento River Sponsor $10,000 & up:
Includes full table (10 tickets), a swag bag, and logo advertisement on website, social media, and program.
San Joaquin River Sponsor $5,000 & up:
Includes half table (5 tickets), a swag bag, and logo advertisement on website, social media, and program.
Mokelumne River Sponsor $2,500 & up:
Includes 4 tickets, a swag bag, and acknowledgement in program.
Calaveras River Sponsor $1,000 & up:
Includes 2 tickets, a swag bag, acknowledgement in program.
For more information, please email Mariah Looney at Mariah@restorethedelta.org or call 209-479-2559!
Join us on Thursday April 11th at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi for a membership meeting to chat about all Delta issues with Restore the Delta. This event is free and open to the public. An agenda will be shared closer to the meeting date. Refreshments will be served.
If you are a California resident, your voice matters! Please sign this petition to urge Governor Newsom to make the smart choice for California’s future by prioritizing the Bay-Delta Plan and putting an end to the Delta tunnel and voluntary agreements for good.