Independent research and analysis of California's developed water systems
The Department of Water Resources will be holding a webinar on consideration of climate change for the Delta tunnel project on August 25, 2021. The following discussion is from my testimony in 2016 for Part 1A of the WaterFix Water Right Change Petition hearing. It explains some key problems with the consideration of shifts in … Continue reading Consideration of climate change in the Delta tunnel project
Governor Newsom’s drought emergency declaration is a direct consequence of the draining of Shasta, Folsom, and Oroville reservoirs by the Central Valley Project and State Water Project to export water from the Delta. Emergency operation of these major reservoirs will be a disaster for the Delta ecosystem, and will also have severe impacts on Delta … Continue reading DWR Chief Engineer warned of climate change draining northern California reservoirs
Remarks by Deirdre Des Jardins at the April 16, 2021 Delta Independent Science Board meeting. One of the most valuable contributions of the Delta Independent Science Board is when they speak inconvenient truths. One example of this is the BDCP / WaterFix project, which is a “hard” adaptation to climate change. The locations for the … Continue reading On the Delta Independent Science Board and Inconvenient Truths
The Delta Stewardship Council is considering nine appeals of the certification by the Department of Water Resources that the WaterFix project is consistent with the Delta Plan. In addition to appeals filed by the Delta Counties, one of the appeals was by North Delta Cares, a small community organization that represents residents and businesses in … Continue reading WaterFix: DWR claims “no sensitive receptors” to hazardous materials in North Delta towns
The Delta Stewardship Council held a hearing from Wednesday, October 24 through Friday 26, 2018 on nine appeals of the certification by the Department of Water Resources that the WaterFix project is consistent with the Delta Stewardship Council's Delta Plan. The WaterFix project has been strongly opposed by Delta local government agencies. All of the … Continue reading Delta Protection Commission: WaterFix inconsistent with Delta Reform Act and Delta Plan
This blog post discusses WaterFix EIR/EIS Impact GEO-3: Loss of Property, Personal Injury, or Death from Ground Settlement during Construction of Water Conveyance Features.
The Revised Final Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement between the Department of Water Resources and the WaterFix Design and Construction Joint Powers Authority includes a statement of compliance with all applicable laws: In carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, the Authority and its agents shall comply with all applicable federal, State, or local laws existing … Continue reading WaterFix: Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement and compliance with applicable laws
Metropolitan Water District's Chief Engineer, John Bednarski, testified in the WaterFix hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 about the WaterFix facilities design and construction. Mr. Bednarski addressed numerous issues raised in testimony by California Water Research's principal scientist, Deirdre Des Jardins on the inadequacy of the sea level rise analysis for the WaterFix tunnel design. … Continue reading WaterFix hearing: chief tunnels engineer on sea level rise
The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board voted 4-3 today to participate in the California WaterFix project. The reasoning of the Board of Directors reflected the complexity, cost and risk of the hugely controversial project.
Locke historian James Motlow testified on the importance of the Chinese-American town of Locke as a living museum. Motlow also testified that traffic impacts from WaterFix construction would destroy Locke.