In a major win for our coalition of Delta-area groups and communities pushing back against the Delta tunnel project, a California appellate court ruled that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) lacks the legal authority to issue billions of dollars in bonds to construct the project. This decision strikes down DWR’s hopes of financing the Tunnel without seeking new legislative or voter approval.
As the Sacramento Bee reports, the court characterized the bond plan as too vague and giving DWR unrestricted discretion over what to build and how to pay for it. The ruling aligns with the vast array of project opponents – including Tribes, local groups, and Delta-area counties – who argue that DWR was attempting to push the environmentally harmful multibillion dollar project forward without thorough public and legislative oversight.
Read the full article here.
Restore the Delta released the following statement in response to the decision:
“We applaud the court’s common sense decision to refuse to give DWR a blank check for a multibillion dollar project that would be shouldered by California ratepayers and cause irreversible harm to Delta ecosystems and communities. The state has repeatedly attempted to fasttrack the Delta Tunnel by any means necessary, seeking to bypass public and legislative oversight. Decision makers must continue to require robust regulatory review and meaningful public input. Instead of pursuing such a costly and harmful project, it is crucial to focus on scientifically backed, local water solutions that support the wellbeing of our waterways and the communities that rely on them.”