Yesterday, the Department of Water Resources issued a memo to its contractors announcing that only two intakes and one tunnel will be constructed at this time, with the remaining intake and second tunnel constructed at a later date.
After the announcement, the NRDC renewed its motion to delay or stop Part 2 of the hearing, scheduled to begin this morning at 9:30.
Here are what agencies are saying about the change, listed in alphabetical order:
From Kern County Water Agency:
Today, the California Department of Water Resources announced that the California WaterFix project would be constructed in two stages. The first stage would meet the needs of those water agencies that choose to pay for its construction now, and a later stage would be constructed at the time additional water districts choose to participate in the project.
California WaterFix has been under development by the State for more than 10 years. Once completed, it would move water under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) to existing water canals near Tracy, California, where it would be moved farther south to the southern San Joaquin Valley, including Kern County, and then on to Southern California.
California WaterFix was designed through years of analysis and scientific study to (1) reduce impacts on the Delta environment; (2) protect California’s primary water supplies from catastrophic levee failure due to earthquakes; and (3) make water supplies more reliable for families, farms and businesses.
Under the State’s plan, the first stage of construction would include:
■ Two water intakes on the Sacramento River with a total capacity of 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs);
■ One tunnel;
■ One Forebay; and
■ One pumping facility that connects the system to the existing State Water Project at Clifton Court Forebay and the State Water Project’s California Aqueduct.
The second stage will would include:
■ One additional 3,000-cfs intake on the Sacramento River; and
■ One additional tunnel
“The decision to stage construction of California WaterFix is smart,” said Ted Page, President of the Kern County Water Agency Board of Directors. “Right-size the project for the funding it has in place now, and make sure California doesn’t miss out on additional water supply protection from a second stage.”
While the overall cost of California WaterFix would remain the same at an estimated $16.7 billion in 2017 dollars, the cost of proceeding with the first stage would be $10.7 billion.
“Kern County is facing an uncertain water future because of added environmental regulation and new State laws that restrict the use of groundwater. California WaterFix is our best opportunity to protect Kern County’s agricultural economy and the many jobs that depend on it,” added Page.
From Metropolitan Water District:
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issued the following statement following the state’s announced decision today to stage the development of California WaterFix:
“Metropolitan recognizes that a staged approach to California WaterFix reflects the project’s economic realities at this time. Staging the project was not the original solution that the many stakeholders were planning toward, but the status quo is simply not acceptable and we must begin building the reliability the state needs.
“By staging California WaterFix, the state can tap the critical mass and support it has to move forward with an initial phase that modernizes the water system in the Delta by designing and constructing one tunnel and two intakes. Metropolitan continues to explore pathways that align cost and benefits and will work with our partners on a financing agreement. But the final decision regarding participation in the staged project will ultimately be made by our Board of Directors.”
From Restore the Delta:
Today, the California Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released an official joint statement confirming a new phased approach to the Delta Tunnels project. The announcement follows months of statements about changes to the project by Metropolitan Water District General Manager Jeff Kightlinger after project proponents failed to secure sufficient funding from water districts asked to participate.
On September 26, 2017, Metropolitan Water District Jeff Kightlinger told the MWD Board of Directors that a 6,000 cfs tunnel, for about two-thirds of the water and two-thirds of the cost, had been looked at and could work.
On January 16, 2018 Douglas Headrick with the San Bernardino Valley Water District reported of MWD of Southern California, “They are expecting an announcement in early February from the Department of Water Resources on the new sizing of the facility. It will be likely resized to one tunnel at 6,000 cfs, and may be 3-4 feet large in diameter.” (Agenda Item 5.1 page 10).
Then on February 5, 2018, the Planning and Operations Committee of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County noted the California WaterFix appears to be headed for a single tunnel alternative.
Executive Director of Restore the Delta, Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla said,
“We find it very disconcerting that part two of the Delta tunnels change petition hearing is slated to begin tomorrow at the State Water Board in light of today’s announcement. Specifically, we are very concerned that this new version of the WaterFix will pursue a larger tunnel than what was presented during part one of the testimony, and before necessary modeling and cost-benefit analysis are completed.“While protestants of the tunnels are at the State Water Resources Control Board fighting the change petition tomorrow, Southern California Water Districts will be evaluating the details of the new project. Presently, financial commitments from participating water districts still falls short of the to $10.8 billion needed to build a single tunnel. Consequently, Metropolitan Water District will have to go back to its member agencies seeking additional funding.
“Realistically, there is not enough time between now and December, 2018, when DWR plans to break ground—whether symbolically or physically. Impacted parties have the right to measure the impacts of a single 6,000 cfs tunnel on fisheries, water quality for environmental justice communities, and the public interest. DWR’s attempts to jam through a permit for one project, while working secretly with water exporters to create another, is unconscionable, especially when we consider their mission: ‘To manage the water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State’s people and to protect, restore and enhance the natural and human environments.’
“We remain convinced that a fifth reiteration of the project will not save CA WaterFix from failure and will ultimately deal a devastating blow to the health of the ailing San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary.”
From Secretary John Laird:
California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird issued the following statement in response to a memo the Department of Water Resources (DWR) sent to the local public water agencies participating in the development and construction of California WaterFix.
“After years of planning, analysis, and debate, I am pleased that we are moving forward with this valuable, and much-needed update to our water system. Future generations of Californians will greatly benefit from this prudent action.”
California WaterFix is a science-driven proposal to upgrade the state’s outdated water system and maintain a reliable source of water for 25 million Californians and more than 3 million acres of farmland in the Bay Area, Central Valley and Southern California. More information can be found at www.californiawaterfix.com/ .
From the State Water Contractors:
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced it is proposing to build California WaterFix in two stages to align with the needs of the public water agencies funding the project. Specifically, DWR is focusing first on one tunnel and two intakes for a total of 6,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), and will continue to pursue completion of the project by adding a second tunnel and a third intake for a maximum of 9,000 cfs at some future date.
“We appreciate that the State has developed an approach that is responsive to the current funding availability, making momentum for California WaterFix stronger than ever. We look forward to starting the first stage of the project to secure reliable, high-quality water for millions of Californians and generations to come.”
Jennifer Pierre
General Manager
State Water ContractorsBACKGROUNDA MODERN SOLUTION TO UPDATE CALIFORNIA’S WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM
- Two-thirds of California’s water supply originates from the Sierra Nevada mountains as snowmelt. That high-quality, clean water travels through the State Water Project (SWP), supplying 25 million Californians, 750,000 acres of fertile agricultural land and a variety of industries that form the backbone of the state’s economy.
- California WaterFix will modernize and upgrade the aging water infrastructure and delivery system in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – an environmental treasure and the hub of the state’s water supply – to efficiently move water supplies underneath the fragile Delta ecosystem rather than through it.
- California WaterFix also will provide a flexible and reliable solution to manage water supplies for more extreme weather including wet years and recurring droughts – a climate reality in California. It will enable the state to capture and store more water in groundwater basins and reservoirs during wet years so it can weather drier times.
- A critical component of the project is protecting and improving the delicate Delta ecosystem to benefit endangered fish species and restore their habitat.
BUILDING WHAT WATER AGENCIES NEED AND CAN FUND
- The SWP is able to fund and use the full 6,000 cfs of the Stage 1 conveyance capacity. However, the State is continuing its discussions with with Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors that are considering an investment in the project.
- With a total yield of approximately 4.7 million-acre feet, WaterFix will ensure a reliable supply that meets the needs of public water agencies today, even in the face of climate change effects and increased regulation, and will protect 800,000 acre feet of supply in the future.
A PRUDENT, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH
- California WaterFix represents an investment opportunity for south-of-the-Delta SWP contractors and participating CVP contractors, enabling them to fund a portion of the project and secure their respective share of water supplies for the future.
- As the primary beneficiaries, participating contractors collectively would cover the costs of the construction, ongoing operations and any environmental mitigation associated with the project, consistent with the benefit they would receive from California WaterFix.
- Over the past several decades, billions of dollars of investments have been made in the SWP. Ratepayers will benefit from the investment by protecting the SWP, which is the most affordable and reliable source of water in the state.
THE EXPERTISE TO EXECUTE
- Under DWR’s oversight, a joint powers authority (JPA) comprised of SWP contractors and participating CVP contractors will pull the best and brightest from each organization and from throughout the industry to manage the design and construction of California WaterFix.
- As a public agency, the JPA provides a means for the beneficiaries of the project to pool expertise and resources to safely design, construct and deliver the project on time, on budget and in accordance with approved specifications, while managing risk prudently and ensuring compliance with state laws.
- Construction of California WaterFix will begin once all the necessary permits are complete, which is anticipated to be toward the end of this year.
- DWR will manage project operations after construction is complete.
From the Southern California Water Committee:
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced it is proposing to build California WaterFix in two stages to align with the needs of the public water agencies funding the project. This plan signals progress for California’s water future and meets the urgent water supply needs of today, ensuring the most reliable, high-quality source of water is available to support our homes and businesses.
“California WaterFix is the best and most affordable solution to our state’s water supply challenges. We stand behind the State’s sensible approach to financing and constructing the project. Maintaining the status quo would be foolish and short-sighted. Water is vital to our quality of life, and Southern California needs WaterFix to survive and thrive.”
Charles Wilson
Executive Director
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