FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alexandra Nagy, alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org
818-633-0865
Restore the Delta poll shows widespread opposition to Delta Tunnel and strong preference for local water solutions
Stockton, Calif. — Today, Restore the Delta released new polling data on California voters’ attitudes on the Delta Conveyance Project — also known as the Delta Tunnel — a controversial and costly project with a price tag of $20 billion. The poll finds that California voters overwhelmingly favor investing in affordable and sustainable local water solutions over the Delta Tunnel. As a result of devastating climate change-fueled events over the past decade, Californians are particularly concerned about the risk of fires and droughts, and they see local water supplies as the best way to prepare for future disasters.
“With fish populations declining and ceremonial practices being impacted by polluted waters, Tribes are already struggling to maintain their livelihoods and cultural identity,” said Malissa Tayaba, Vice Chair of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “The Delta Tunnel Project would further devastate the environment and Tribal communities that have depended on the Delta since time immemorial.”
“These polling results are a clear mandate from voters across the state,” said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta.“Californians want water solutions that protect the environment, are economically feasible, and prepare us for the challenges of climate change. The Delta Tunnel simply does not meet those needs and would devastate local Delta communities and ecosystems.”
Key findings from the polling:
- A significant majority of voters (62%) favor investing in local water infrastructure over the Delta Tunnel project (24%).
- After hearing arguments for and against the Tunnel, 58% of voters oppose the Tunnel—24 points higher than the 34% who favor building it.
- 92% of voters across the political spectrum see the Bay-Delta as important to California’s economy and quality of life, including for communities near the Delta.
- The economic and social costs (including the negative impact to Delta Tribes and communities), along with environmental damage are voters’ top reasons for opposing the Tunnel.
“The economics of this project show resoundingly that it is not in the public interest,” said Max Gomberg, Water Policy Advisor of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. “The costs far outweigh the benefits and the alternatives are better for tribes, Delta communities, and Southern California ratepayers.”
“This year may be the third consecutive year that salmon fishing will be banned in California due to excessive water diversions,” said Mariah Lauritzen, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Golden State Salmon Association. “This latest polling confirms that voters across the state are rightfully concerned about the future of our fish populations. The Delta Tunnel would only exacerbate these problems, severely harming local economies and jobs in the fishing industry.”
The poll highlights the growing awareness among Californians about the dangers of focusing on distant, expensive water projects like the Delta Tunnel, while ignoring the potential of local water solutions—especially in the wake of climate-change fueled disasters like the Los Angeles fires. The results show overwhelming support for development of local water sources to ensure long-term water resilience as the state faces ongoing droughts and increasingly frequent fires.
“We must shift our priorities to meet the real needs of California’s communities. By focusing on sustainable, local water solutions like wastewater recycling and stormwater capture, and by rejecting boondoggles like the Delta Tunnel, we can enhance water security without risking the health of our ecosystems and communities,” said Caty Wagner, Water Campaign Manager at Sierra Club California.
Restore the Delta and its allies are calling on elected officials to reconsider their support for the Delta Tunnel project in light of this polling data. The results make it clear that it’s time to rethink water priorities, and put resources toward local projects that will ensure tangible, affordable solutions for California communities and the environment.
Methodology:
Polling consisted of a multi-modal survey of n=649 registered California voters with an oversample of Black voters conducted in English or Spanish on behalf of Restore the Delta and fielded February 11-21, 2025. Respondents could complete the survey via live interviewers over their cell or landline telephones or online in response to a text message. The margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points (higher for subgroups).
A virtual press conference was held today to review the poll findings. For a recording, please email alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org.
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