On August 6, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) have launched an Accountability Action Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project, including a $200 million Community Benefits Program. The plan aims to ensure transparency and support for communities potentially impacted by the project’s construction. Key components include a dedicated Ombudsman Office, regulatory mitigation measures, community advisory groups, and proactive communication strategies. The initiative responds to public concerns and reinforces the state’s commitment to modernizing water infrastructure to better manage climate challenges and secure water for millions of Californians.
Statement from Charley Wilson, Executive Director and CEO, Southern California Water Coalition:
The Southern California Water Coalition applauds the Newsom Administration and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for releasing the Delta Conveyance Project Accountability Action Plan and for establishing a $200 million Community Benefits Program for Delta communities.
This is a critical and timely response to the misleading narratives that opponents of this project have continued to push—narratives designed to delay, confuse, and obfuscate the true purpose and benefits of the Delta Conveyance Project. The facts are clear: this project is essential to securing California’s water future and will serve more than 27 million residents, hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, and vital industries across our state.
For too long, critics have wrongly claimed that the concerns of Delta communities were being ignored. The Accountability Action Plan decisively refutes those claims. It outlines specific, trackable, and transparent commitments to local communities, demonstrating that the state is listening and taking action to avoid, minimize, or offset project impacts during construction. This includes the creation of an Ombudsman Office, Community Advisory Groups, and a proactive communications strategy—all designed to ensure that community voices are heard and respected throughout the process.
The Community Benefits Program, backed by a $200 million fund, underscores the Administration’s commitment to delivering real, lasting value to the people most affected by construction. This kind of forward-looking leadership ensures that infrastructure progress is balanced with social responsibility.
The Delta Conveyance Project will modernize our water delivery system, improve climate resilience, and better equip the State Water Project to capture and move water during high-flow events—all while strengthening earthquake protection for critical water infrastructure.
Southern California is downstream of the Delta. Our region—and our economy—depend on a reliable, secure water supply. We urge the Legislature to move swiftly to approve the budget trailer bill and empower the state to move this project forward without further unnecessary delay.
The time for action is now. The Delta Conveyance Project is not just a regional concern—it is a statewide imperative.