By: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Our team has been working tirelessly to defend the Delta and our communities against the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). While we have secured victories in the courts regarding bond financing, the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) has unfortunately approved the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Certification of Consistency for the proposed the DCP, even though...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
Groups warn the project ignores state law, threatens important Tribal cultural sites and the health of the Delta ecosystem. For Immediate Release: April 23, 2026 Contact:Ashley Castaneda, ashley@restorethedelta.org Sacramento, CA – A coalition of tribes and environmental advocates expressed sharp criticism following the Delta Stewardship Council’s approval of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Certification of...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
For Immediate Release: April 9, 2026 Contact:Ashley Castaneda, ashley@restorethedelta.org Sacramento, Calif. — A coalition of Tribes and environmental advocates has submitted a letter to the California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife opposing AB 2215. The bill, which seeks to extend the Department of Water Resources’ water rights permit for the State Water Project until 2085, is being criticized for...Read More
For Immediate Release: March 19, 2026 Contact:Ashley Castaneda, ashley@restorethedelta.org Sacramento, Calif. — A new report from the California Legislative Analyst’s Office is drawing strong criticism from a broad coalition of environmental organizations and Tribes, arguing that the report on the State Water Resources Control Board’s proposed update to the water quality control plan for the San...Read More
Ahead of its March 18 hearing in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, SB 872 is bringing together Northern and Southern California legislators, environmental groups including Restore the Delta, and water interests to protect the state’s primary water source. The bill addresses two major threats to California’s water supply: aging levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and sinking canals in...Read More
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2026 Contact:Ashley Castaneda, ashley@restorethedelta.org Sacramento, Calif. — A coalition of Tribes and environmental advocates submitted a letter to the California Senate Rules Committee opposing the reappointment of Dorene D’Adamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. In their letter, the coalition argues that the Board has abandoned key regulatory responsibilities during Vice-Chair D’Adamo’s...Read More
