The State Water Project and the water that flows through its vast network of infrastructure is the backbone of the state’s invaluable water supply for 27 million Californians. The Delta Conveyance Project is a landmark investment in the state’s incomplete and aging water infrastructure and a vital project for California’s future. The state-of-the-art water conveyance solution described in Alternative 5 of the Draft EIR will ensure that tens of millions of Californians will have clean, reliable, and affordable water for generations to come.

Collectively, our comments on the Draft EIR focus on three primary themes that are important in the ongoing dialogue and consideration relating to certification of the EIR and advancement of the project:

• Critical need for new Delta Conveyance as a climate adaptation strategy
• Importance of new Delta Conveyance in embracing the commitment to protection and advancement of the Human Right to Water
• Value of Delta Conveyance to the Southern California and statewide economies.

While versions of this project have been proposed over the years, today’s proposed project is a sharp departure from previous iterations. The Delta Conveyance Project proposed today has been downsized, refined, rerouted, and redesigned to better meet the needs of the communities it serves.

Read the full letter in support of the Delta Conveyance Project Environmental Impact Report.

The post Broad Coalition Supports Delta Conveyance EIR appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Delta Conveyance is a much-needed update to California’s water infrastructure, ensuring greater reliability and flexibility from the State Water Project system that provides water from the Sierra Nevada mountains to Southern California, Central Valley and the Bay Area.

While versions of this project have been proposed over the years, today’s proposed project is a sharp departure from previous iterations. The Delta Conveyance Project proposed today has been downsized, refined, rerouted, and redesigned to better meet the needs of the communities it serves.

“The Southern California Water Coalition was founded in 1984 to raise awareness of the need for this modernization of the state’s primary water system. We have the best, most feasible version of Delta Conveyance before us today thanks to the collaboration that went on with the Stakeholder Engagement Group in the Delta.  

Here’s what I know: the system we have is not working. In this latest drought, we’ve had to erect saltwater barriers as we did in the last drought to slow the tides that carry in saltwater and keep the Delta water fresh and usable for drinking water and irrigation. Delta Conveyance solves this problem by moving the intake upstream, where it is less likely to be impacted by seawater intrusion. This will only become more important as we grapple with climate change impacts.

The state has done a great job of listening to local concerns and incorporating them into the project. This latest, best version of Delta Conveyance will not only provide a more reliable water supply for our region, but it will also create jobs, improve water quality, and restore habitat. It’s clear that this project is about much more than just water – it’s about building a better future for our state. I look forward to seeing the Delta Conveyance become a reality in the coming years,” said Charley Wilson, executive director of the Southern California Water Coalition.

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The post California WaterFix Shifts to Single Tunnel appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his first State of the State address as the 40th Governor of California in February 2019. Governor Newsom spoke to lawmakers and all Californians, sharing insights on where we’ve been, and looking ahead at where we’re going over the next four years. In his address, the Governor announced his plans to move forward with a Delta Conveyance project (formerly known as California WaterFix, using a single tunnel approach. A new Delta Conveyance project will modernize and upgrade a vital water delivery system, securing a reliable supply for future generations.  

“The California dream can’t be achieved without water — thank you, Governor Newsom, for taking action and recognizing that a state as big and diverse as California needs a balanced, portfolio approach to water supply management to meet the needs of the future. We are all united in a battle against the impacts of climate change, and building California WaterFix will ensure we can move water efficiently throughout the state and secure reliability for millions of Californians — even amidst climate whiplash. Southern California is proud to be on the front lines of innovative solutions, from WaterFix to local water supply projects; now we must to lean in with a new sense of urgency and continue doing the work necessary to advance change for future generations of Californians.”

Charles Wilson
Executive Director
Southern California Water Coalition

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Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern counties, the SCWC’s members include representatives from business, government, agriculture, water agencies, labor and the general public. Visit us at www.socalwater.org and find us on Facebook.

The post California Governor Supports One Tunnel Delta Conveyance appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

In submitting this letter, SCWC along with a powerful statewide coalition of business, labor, environmental, water and agricultural organizations are standing in support of California WaterFix as the only cost-effective solution that secures our state’s backbone supply while simultaneously improving the Delta ecosystem.

READ THE FULL LETTER HERE

The post 70+ Organizations Urge Support for WaterFix and its Consistency with the Delta Plan appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

SCWC Executive Director Charles Wilson said, “The results of this study reaffirm what we have known for more than a decade: California must invest in our state’s water infrastructure, and California WaterFix is the best and most affordable solution. No matter how you crunch the numbers, the benefits of California WaterFix outweigh the costs for both urban and agricultural project participants. The data also show the project will offset the impacts of climate change — so that’s even more evidence that California WaterFix will provide a reliable and secure water supply for generations to come.”

VIEW PRESS RELEASE HERE

The post California WaterFix Benefits Urban, Agricultural Stakeholders appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

As the region’s leading voice on the state’s most pressing water issues — from sustainability and supply to water quality and infrastructure – we’re on the front lines of change for Southern California’s water future. We’re driving conversation, advocating for solutions and always looking ahead at what’s next. With members spanning from San Diego County all the way up to Kern County, crossing sectors like business, agriculture, government and of course, water, we provide a representative, balanced and non-partisan voice to the issues impacting our daily lives and economic vitality.

California’s water landscape is constantly shifting, dependent on supply, weather patterns and scientific findings, to name a few. It’s like trying to hit a moving, ever evolving target. And through information based, thoughtful discussion, we get a little closer to the bullseye each year. SCWC hosts four events a year centered around the idea of sharing data, historical context, community perspective, political insights and plain and simple: what’s the latest in California water. This year, we brought together the best and brightest minds on issues like the Salton Sea and the future of stormwater capture — unpacking the realities and road blocks and charting a path forward.
 
As an organization, we don’t just use our voice to talk amongst each other, we work to amplify the consensus. With nearly one million Californians threatened by contaminated drinking water, SCWC amplified a solution: AB 2050. The Small System Water Authority Act of 2018, AB 2050, uses already existing infrastructure to help correct failing water systems through consolidation. Recognizing a funding gap for drought preparation and public environmental programs, SCWC rallied behind a solution: Proposition 68. The $4.1 billion bond was approved by voters this June and will provide resources for local supply projects, groundwater cleanup and climate change adaptation.

So, what’s next? SCWC has a melting pot of issues from the ballot box to the legislative floor that we’re eager to discuss, drive and engage in. This November, voters will decide on another water bond, Proposition 3, the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018. Prop 3 is an $8.9 billion bond that will provide the necessary funding for our state’s water infrastructure—a critical and dire investment to maintain safe and reliable water supplies. Until election day, SCWC will be sharing the facts and educating stakeholders on the value of a ‘Yes’ vote on Proposition 3. Meanwhile, in the Capitol, a fight is brewing over the State Water Resources Control Board’s proposed amendments to flow mandates in the Lower San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers. SCWC is in the ring, articulating the risks and strongly opposing these amendments that will decrease water supplies for cities, schools and agricultural groups in the region.
 
And last, but certainly not least, there’s California WaterFix —the $17 billion twin-tunnels project that will modernize California’s antiquated water delivery system. Last year, SCWC launched WaterNext, an education and outreach campaign in support of California WaterFix. The education and engagement outreach campaign is still going strong and has the backing of a coalition comprised of more than 300 supporters representing vastly diverse and prominent interests, from labor and business to public agencies, nonprofits and agriculture. WaterFix will upgrade our aging water delivery system, securing a safe and reliable water supply for the region. It’s the best and most affordable solution for ensuring our state’s backbone supply of water to 26 million Californians. And the project continues to gain momentum on the path to construction.
 
As an organization, everything we do boils down to the fact that water is essential. In California, while our weather extremes may be volatile, our need for water is static. So as SCWC looks ahead we can say for certain: water is essential this year, next year and forevermore. Meantime, we’ll keep you informed and engaged on all of the water issues that matter most to California now and in the future.

The post BLOG: Water is Essential in 2018 and 2019 appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

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