In case you missed it, several news stories of interest regarding the problematic cost-benefit for the Delta Conveyance Project analysis are listed below for you.
California’s water tunnel to cost $20 billion. State officials say the benefits are worth it – AP News 5/16/24
…The analysis released Thursday notes the environmental impacts include lost agricultural land, reduced water quality in the Delta, and impacts on air quality, transportation and noise.
“Instead of foisting the costs of this boondoggle project onto Californians, the state should invest in sustainable water solutions that promise to restore the Delta ecosystem, not destroy it,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of the environmental advocacy group Restore the Delta.
“This new analysis acknowledges what we’ve known all along: the Delta Tunnel is meant to benefit Beverly Hills and leave Delta communities out to dry,” said U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, a Democrat whose district includes the Central Valley communities like Stockton, Lodi and Galt. “I’m sick and tired of politicians in Sacramento ignoring our Valley voices and I will do everything in my power to stop them from stealing our water.”
Price tag for California’s controversial Delta tunnel project increases by $4 billion – Sacramento Bee 5/16/24
…The Department of Water Resources must “analyze and include the impacts to California Tribes, Delta communities and economies, the fishing community, and environmental and public safety concerns,” Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director for nonprofit Restore the Delta, said in a statement Thursday. A coalition including Restore the Delta, Tribes and other organizations filed a formal protest petition Tuesday with the State Water Resources Control Board, arguing the project is “unlawful and not in the public interest.”
Newsom administration unveils new $20-billion cost estimate for Delta water tunnel – LA Times 5/16/24
…Jon Rosenfield, science director for San Francisco Baykeeper, said he believes the state has underestimated the costs of building the tunnel and overestimated the costs of alternatives, such as conservation. He pointed out that state water regulators, after facing criticism, recently proposed conservation rules that would ease requirements for urban suppliers and lead to smaller statewide savings.
“There is a cheaper solution… and they’re not implementing it,” Rosenfield said. “The state is now telling you: We don’t need to save water. We’ll just build you a tunnel and get more water — from an ecosystem that’s collapsing because we take too much water from it.”
$20 billion: The Delta tunnel’s new price tag – CalMatters 5/16/24
…Tribes and environmental justice organizations also oppose the state’s application for a change in water rights to build and operate the tunnel. “The injurious impacts of mismanagement in the Bay-Delta can no longer be endured by Tribes and Delta communities,” Malissa Tayaba, vice chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said in a statement.
Newsom unveils new cost estimate for California’s Delta tunnel – E&E News 5/16/24
…Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, the executive director of the environmental group Restore the Delta, called the analysis “one-sided and incomplete” in a press release. “It only looks at benefits and costs for State Water Project customers,” said Barrigan-Parrilla.
DWR Analysis Claims ‘Benefits’ of Delta Tunnel Will Outweigh Costs; Critics Strongly Disagree – Daily Kos 5/16/24
…Restore the Delta noted that with annual inflation costs for construction rising to 10.7% since 2020, costs will continue to rise significantly during the extended permitting period prior to DCP construction, “making the $20.1 billion figure obsolete before construction begins.”
“Moreover, the DCP would transport less water when compared to the previous California WaterFix twin tunnel project tunnel project that was projected to cost $16.7 billion. The DCP plan currently lacks signed agreements by water districts indicating their willingness to fund the project,” the group wrote.