Presently, the Department of Water Resources has filed an application to change the point of diversion (the location from which State Water Project takes water) to facilitate the building of the tunnel. Restore the Delta and partners are one party of legal protestants providing a science, policy and legal case to the Administrative Hearing Officer for the State Water Resources Control Borad for these administrative-legal hearings to show that the project will harm water users in the Delta (there are 40 protesting parties). This long quasi-judicial proceeding will ultimately lead to a vote by the Board as to whether the permit will be granted to DWR to move the point of diversion for the tunnel.
Why is this important?
On February 18th, a series of State Water Project water districts showed up explaining why the tunnel was absolutely necessary for their water supply due to climate change. But our research shows that their urban water plans and general plans tell a different story. (We will share more on this before the March 24th hearing.)
Here is how you can help:
Members of the public who are not legal protestants can participate in the March 24th hearing by offering a 5 minute policy statement. We are asking you, our strongest and most time-honored supporters, to express how you, your organizations, your economic and/or environmental interests, will be harmed by the construction or operation of the tunnel. Ratepayers who also will be paying for the project can offer policy statements as to how they will be harmed.
Pasted below you will find links to our tunnel talking sheet and examples of comments that you can also send as letters to the editor for your local newspaper. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE this info and call it a day. Neither the AHO Officer or a newspaper will take you seriously if they receive hundreds of duplicated statements. Instead, put these ideas into your own words and add your concerns, ideas, and knowledge to these statements. A five minute statement for public presentation is about 450-475 words.
- Delta Conveyance Project One-Pager – Quick facts to strengthen your argument.
- Comment Examples – Sample comments to guide your writing.
Tip: Personalizing your statement makes it more powerful and credible. Share how the project will affect you, your community, or your organization.
Ways to Participate:
- To support our efforts and take part in the process, complete the form linked here and email it to DCP-WR-Petition@waterboards.ca.gov. This will ensure your name is added to the list for the March 24th hearing.
- You can share your comment in person at the State Water Resources Control Board, located at Joe Serna Jr. CalEPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California. Please arrive by 9:00 AM, as policy statements will be heard from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Be sure to bring snacks, water, and a phone charger to stay prepared throughout the morning.
- If attending in person isn’t possible, you can also participate via Zoom at bit.ly/aho-dcp-zoom. While in-person presence has the greatest impact, we truly appreciate your involvement, whether in person or virtually.
If you’d like one of our staff to review your statement before March 24th, please email it to our Youth & Outreach Program Manager, Mackenzie Owens at Mackenzie@restorethedelta.
We appreciate how you all rise time and time again to defend the Delta. I have nothing but gratitude for each and every one of you
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