Tag: Department of Water Resources

In increasing State Water Project allocations, DWR is taking huge risks

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 3 Comments

The Department of Water Resources has just announced that they are increasing the State Water Project allocations to 15%. Given the huge problems last year with watershed runoff forecasts, DWR is taking a huge risk of not meeting environmental water needs later in the year. In November 2021, nine scientists from leading California water research … Continue reading In increasing State Water Project allocations, DWR is taking huge risks

On DWR’s water supply models and drought risks

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 2 Comments

The Delta Independent Science Board has just released their draft Water Supply Reliability Review. We strongly agree with their recommendation on water supply system models: The next generation of state-sponsored water supply system models for reliability estimation should be built, updated, and evaluated by a broad consortium of state and federal agencies and external experts … Continue reading On DWR’s water supply models and drought risks

DWR Chief Engineer warned of climate change draining northern California reservoirs

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 5 Comments

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

Delta Tunnel: DCA’s new bylaws allow MWD staff person to be Executive Director

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

On February 18, 2021 the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (“DCA”) adopted new bylaws which allow the Executive Director to be a "member entity" staff person. On March 9, 2021, the DCA met in closed session to consider employment of the current Executive Director, Kathryn Mallon. Mallon is working under a 5 year contract … Continue reading Delta Tunnel: DCA’s new bylaws allow MWD staff person to be Executive Director

“General Bond Resolution” could fund twin tunnels project in stages

Money tunnel
~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

Environmental groups have been strongly critical of the Department of Water Resources’ “blank check” Delta Program Revenue Bond / General Bond Resolution..  The General Bond Resolution is expected to fund Governor Newsom's Delta tunnel project, which is currently estimated to cost $15.9 billion. The State Water Contractors have countered that DWR is simply "validating its … Continue reading “General Bond Resolution” could fund twin tunnels project in stages

Delta tunnel: DWR rejects consideration of No Tunnel alternatives in EIR

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ 1 Comment

The Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority convened the 10th meeting of the Stakeholder Engagement Committee on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Carrie Buckman, the Environmental Manager for the Department of Water Resources, gave a presentation on DWR’s screening of alternatives suggested in the scoping process. Buckman summarized the Delta tunnel project objectives as follows: CLIMATE … Continue reading Delta tunnel: DWR rejects consideration of No Tunnel alternatives in EIR

MWD and Valley Water have yet to commit funds for Delta tunnel design

~ Deirdre Des Jardins ~ Leave a comment

Metropolitan Water District has two seats on the Board of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA), and Valley Water (formerly Santa Clara Valley Water District) has one seat.  But to date, neither agency has committed to pay the DCA’s costs for the planning and engineering design for the single tunnel. After the Department […]

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