A broad coalition of Tribes, environmental justice organizations, fishing groups, conservation advocates, and Delta communities successfully halted Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal that sought to bypass critical legal, environmental, and public participation processes in order to fast-track the controversial Delta Tunnel project. The proposal faced immediate and unified opposition from Tribes, Delta organizations, and local communities, who...Read More
In a powerful commentary published by Maven’s Notebook, Tom Zuckerman, a Delta farmer located in Stockton, and Gary Bobker, Program Director at Friends of the River, sound the alarm about Governor Newsom’s approach to California’s water policy. The authors sharply criticize the Governor’s push to waive key environmental protections through budget trailer bills, which they...Read More
Dear Friends, Right now, Governor Newsom is making power plays to undermine democracy within California’s water management. He is using the full force of his office to push a CEQA trailer bill that would silence public participation in the Bay-Delta Plan. Despite claims from State Water Board attorneys that the Bay-Delta Plan has nothing to...Read More
In a powerful op-ed in Maven’s Notebook, Regina Cuellar – Chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians – calls out California’s failure to recognize tribal beneficial water uses like fishing, plant gathering, and ceremonial practices. Chairwoman Cuellar strongly opposes the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) and the so-called “Voluntary Agreements”, arguing that they threaten the freshwater flows essential...Read More
In a recent Maven’s Notebook commentary, Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla (Executive Director, Restore the Delta) and Ashley Overhouse (Water Policy Advisor, Defenders of Wildlife) criticize Governor Newsom’s administration for advancing Delta Tunnel trailer bills that undermine California’s water rights, environmental protections, and public due process. These bills aim to fast-track the $100 billion Delta Tunnel project while...Read More
On July 23rd and 24th, Restore the Delta’s water quality testing program reported that HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) have been found at Windmill Cove, Buckley Cove, and the Louis Park boat launch in Stockton. Our test strips maxed out at 10 parts per billion, meaning actual toxin levels could be even higher. This exceeds California’s warning thresholds for public health...Read More
Dear Friends,As always, Governor Newsom is throwing down ultimatums to push the Delta Tunnel into existence. Last night, reporting from Cal Matters and KCRA revealed that he insists that his CEQA Reform Bill (which has not gone through normal public and transparent processes) must be passed by midnight, June 30th, or we will not sign the State Budget.We need you...Read More
We need you to call your state legislators starting today. Click here to find members, especially those who represent your districts. We are asking ALL of our supporters to call state and federal elected officials starting now until we say that everything is good! The issues are complex. First, let’s deal with the California Legislature. Right...Read More
We need you to call your state legislators starting today. Click here to find your State Senator and Assemblymember’s contact information. Why: On May 14, 2025, Governor Newsom released the State Budget May Revise, which included a broad sweeping package of trailer bills that would exempt the Delta Tunnel and water quality standards from adequate environmental...Read More
Governor Newsom’s May budget package was accompanied with a suite of trailer bills that would circumvent long-standing water law, environmental protections, and public due process to advance one of California’s most controversial and costly infrastructure projects, and at the same time undercut water quality standards for the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary, which are embodied in...Read More
