Coverage of the coalition of environmental, Tribal, and fishing organizations calling for a Water Renaissance in California continues to grow. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that the plan, which prioritizes local water supplies such as stormwater capture, water recycling, and groundwater cleanup, would reliably yield more and cost far less than the proposed Delta Tunnel project. As UCLA scientist...Read More
On Wednesday, a coalition of Tribal leaders and environmental organizations, including Restore the Delta, released the Water Renaissance Plan, a new roadmap to shift California away from expensive, unreliable water imports toward local, sustainable solutions that deliver affordable, reliable water supplies. For decades, California has relied on moving water long distances across the state, harming ecosystems and leaving...Read More
For Immediate ReleaseMay 20, 2026 ContactNina Erlich-Williams, nina@publicgoodpr.comO: 510-336-9566, C: 415-577-1153 Plan identifies specific strategies for developing drought-proof water supplies in SoCal by 2045 that will generate significantly higher yields than projections for the Delta Conveyance ProjectBay-Delta Region and Los Angeles, Calif. – In an online press conference today, leaders from conservation groups and Tribes announced the release of...Read More
The California Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously to advance Dorene D’Adamo’s reappointment to the State Water Resources Control Board despite vocal opposition from Tribal, environmental, and fishing groups. Critics accused D’Adamo of favoring powerful agricultural and water interests, arguing during the hearing that those groups have had outsized influence over the Bay-Delta Plan process, while Tribal and...Read More
In a CalMatters piece published today, Rachel Becker outlines the major obstacles facing efforts to revive the Delta Tunnel project. Even as Governor Newsom claims the state is “closer than ever” to completing it, significant hurdles remain, including a massive price tag, unclear financing plans, pending critical water rights decisions, and a lack of commitments from water...Read More
This week, the Sacramento County Superior Court denied a motion by the State Water Contractors to disqualify Judge Stephen P. Acquisto, who has presided for more than two years over coordinated cases challenging the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) approvals of the Delta Tunnel project. More than ten cases are currently pending, including challenges to...Read More
In a win for transparency and accountability, particularly for Delta communities, Tribes, ecosystems, and ratepayers statewide, the California Supreme Court denied review of a trial court ruling that found the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) exceeded its authority in approving bond financing for the Delta Tunnel.Attorneys representing several Counties and agencies challenging DWR, Roger...Read More
California’s snowpack is melting faster and earlier than usual, driven by a recent heat wave and the long-term impacts of climate change. The concern comes at a critical moment, as the state works to finalize the new environmental plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. With extreme weather becoming more common, experts say that...Read More
A recent article from SJV Water highlights a steady decline in support for the controversial Delta Tunnel project among Kern County agricultural water districts over the past year. Support dropped sharply again following the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District’s decision to cut its contribution by nearly 97%, from $4.6 million to just $146,000. The piece adds to...Read More
US. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) condemned the Department of the Interior’s proposal to spend $40 million in taxpayer funds on planning and preconstruction activities to raise Shasta Dam, calling it an “unlawful, wasteful, and destructive boondoggle.” Raising Shasta Dam is illegal under California’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which protects the McCloud River, an area that...Read More
