From the Department of Water Resources:
This coming Friday, April 17, 2020 is the close of the Delta Conveyance Project scoping comment period. The start of the scoping period was January 15, 2020, and the original deadline was extended from March 20 to allow additional time in response to the COVID-19 situation. As a reminder, scoping provides an opportunity for the public and agencies to provide input on the scope and content of environmental review. The Notice of Preparation and related availability and informational materials can be viewed here.
To help broaden public access, DWR has added the option of commenting via its multi-lingual toll-free number. Some members of the public may find this verbal method easier. The toll-free number will record the comments, which will then be transcribed and entered into the record.
Toll-free public comment phone number: 1-866-924-9955
This number has a five-minute limit for voicemail recordings. Callers should feel free to call back in if they would like to make a comment longer than five minutes.
The other existing methods available for public comment include:
- Email: DeltaConveyanceScoping@water.ca.gov (by 5:00 p.m. on 4/17/20)
- Mail: Department of Water Resources, Attn: Renee Rodriguez, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236 (postmarked by 4/17/20)
- Fillable online form: View form (by 5:00 p.m. on 4/17/20)
For general questions about the Delta Conveyance Project, please email DeltaConveyance@water.ca.gov.
In Case You Missed It:
- There is an online Introduction to CEQA as it relates to Delta Conveyance. Watch the video here.
- There is a digital article online that describes the Delta Conveyance design process. Read the article here.
- The next DCA board meeting will be on Thursday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be remote. Please find more information about the DCA meeting here.
- The next SEC meeting will be on Wednesday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m. This meeting will also be remote. Please find more information about the SEC meeting here.
Amid COVID-19, Essential Work Continues with Commitment to Public Engagement and Transparency
DWR has begun to utilize a number of practices to ensure that while the Department continues its work in the circumstances of today’s new normal, it does so in ways that provide reasonable accommodations and hopefully even increase public participation. For more information, visit here.
Importance of Modernizing Delta Conveyance
The proposed Delta Conveyance Project is intended to upgrade one of California’s most critical public infrastructure assets to protect and preserve a vital state water supply for 27 million Californians and nearly a million acres of farmland by guarding against potential disruptions caused by sea level rise, the hydrologic effects of climate change and seismic threats. Please find more information about the proposed Delta Conveyance Project here.
