Statement by Charley Wilson, Executive Director, Southern California Water Coalition, on the Release of the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Delta Conveyance Project:
“I am thrilled to see a significant milestone in California’s journey towards water resilience: the release of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Delta Conveyance Project by the California Department of Water Resources on December 8, 2023.
Let’s face it, California’s weather has been throwing us some wild curveballs lately—intense storms, droughts that seem to drag on forever, rising sea levels, and other climate surprises. It’s clear that we need to step up our game when it comes to water management.
Charley Wilson, SCWC Executive Director
The Delta Conveyance Project is the state’s best answer to these challenges. Our 52-year-old State Water Project, which provides clean water for millions and supports our economy, needs improvements. It’s aging, and it’s vulnerable to climate-driven threats.
Not making upgrades to the State Water Project is like living in a home with a leaky roof during a rainstorm or driving on a freeway full of potholes. It’s a recipe for disaster, and it’s time we fix the infrastructure that sustains us.
But this project isn’t just about staying up-to-date; it’s about seizing opportunities. Imagine if we’d had this system in place during those heavy rains in January 2023—the state could have captured and moved a whopping 228,000 acre-feet of water. That is enough for about 2.3 million people in a year.
But as Southern Californians, we are not just looking out for our water supply. We’re also committed to protecting and enhancing the Delta ecosystem as part of these upgrades. It’s a ‘yes/and’ approach. Building the Delta Conveyance Project will happen as the state and water agencies are developing local and regional water supplies, banking water underground, and supporting native fish and wildlife.
No more procrastinating; we can’t afford to delay any longer. The Delta Conveyance Project isn’t just an infrastructure project; it’s an investment in our future. Let’s get the ball rolling, approve it, and start construction.”
–Charley Wilson, Executive Director and CEO, Southern California Water Coalition