Category: Delta tunnel

Delta tunnel: DWR plans for ESA consultation under Trump administration

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

On June 18, 2020, the Department of Water Resources submitted an application to the US Army Corps of Engineers for a Section 404 Clean Water Act permit for the Delta tunnel. Getting federal permits for the Delta tunnel is complicated by Attorney General Becerra's lawsuit over the Bureau of Reclamation’s new Long-Term Operations  for the … Continue reading Delta tunnel: DWR plans for ESA consultation under Trump administration

Delta tunnel: US Army Corps application has new Eastern alignment

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 3 Comments

The selection of the Eastern alignment is a major change from the Central Delta alignment that has been studied for over a decade.  The change is likely driven by major logistical issues with construction of a tunnel and shafts through the Central Delta.

Delta tunnel: DWR signs agreement allowing real estate acquisition at 60% design

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 3 Comments

It is unclear whether land will be acquired for the Delta tunnel project before the Final Environmental Impact Report and Notice of Determination under CEQA.

Delta tunnel: DCA transmitted initial project “footprint” to DWR on April 1

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

According to an April 23, 2020 memo prepared by the Kern County Water Agency for their April Board meeting packet, the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority ...delivered its “footprint” engineering to DWR on April 1, 2020. The “footprint” engineering serves as the starting point for the environmental analysis necessary for the EIR. According to … Continue reading Delta tunnel: DCA transmitted initial project “footprint” to DWR on April 1

Desperate to keep Delta tunnel engineering design schedule, DCA pressures Stakeholder Engagement Committee members to continue meeting

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

Many SEC members spoke out strongly at the beginning of the SEC meeting, requesting that future meetings be postponed until Delta residents could engage on the project design. The members were told by DCA Executive Director Kathryn Mallon that “the due date is not moving.” 

The Project Formerly Known as WaterFix

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Although the Department of Water Resources rescinded all approvals of WaterFix project in May of 2019, the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority has been continuing engineering and geotechnical work on a single tunnel project under supervision of the Department of Water Resources. In June of 2019, Delta Defenders, the Delta Chambers and Visitor's Bureau, … Continue reading The Project Formerly Known as WaterFix

Delta tunnel: DCA staff downplay opposition to stakeholder engagement process continuing during pandemic

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

The continuation of the Delta tunnel stakeholder engagement process during the COVID-19 pandemic has been strongly opposed by Delta Counties and Delta residents.

Delta tunnel engineering design rushes forward as major disaster declared in California

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 3 Comments

The DCA's plan to conduct Delta Stakeholder Engagement Committee meetings by web conference during what is likely to be the height of the pandemic in California simply fails to consider the very real impacts on Delta communities.

Delta Tunnel: DCA and DWR Reject Findings of Independent Technical Review Panel

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

Under the supervision of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA) is providing “engineering, field studies and design work to inform the environmental planning process, and assist[ance] in evaluating and minimizing community impacts” for the Delta Tunnel project. On December 4-6, 2019, the DCA convened an Independent … Continue reading Delta Tunnel: DCA and DWR Reject Findings of Independent Technical Review Panel

Delta tunnel: Independent Technical Review Panel finds main tunnel route “impractical”

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

The Department of Water Resources’ Notice of Preparation for the Delta Conveyance Project shows two potential alignments for the main tunnel.   The “Central Corridor” is the route of the former WaterFix / twin tunnels project.  The “Eastern Corridor” is closer to I-5. The Department of Water Resources did not disclose that an Independent Technical Review … Continue reading Delta tunnel: Independent Technical Review Panel finds main tunnel route “impractical”