The tunnel project is as big or bigger than the english channel tunnel and bostons big. The story shows why the bay delta conservation plan bdcp and governor browns delta tunnels are not the needed solution and proposes a real, longterm. An introduction to californias delta tunnel and salmon. One of the least discussed issues in california environmental politics and one of the most crucial to understanding jerry browns delta tunnels plan is the clear connection between the marine life protection act mlpa initiative and the california waterfix, formerly called the bay delta conservation plan. The delta tunnels project stategiven name is california water fix. The twin tunnels are outberkeley experts say thats a good thing.
The five delta county coalition also slammed the nop its been 11 years since the introduction of the bay delta conservation plan twin tunnels proposal, and nearly a year since governor newsoms withdrawal of california waterfix twin tunnels project. In april 2015, the habitat restoration plan and the water supply improvement plan were separated. Originally scheduled for november, the vote has been postponed until december 11, per california gov. The proposed tunnels are now to be underground instead of as surface canals.
Two new tunnels would take fresh sacramento river water beneath the delta instead of allowing its full flow to enter the. Really, the idea that two massive tunnels would be built in the delta was always well, a pipe dream, says. Congressmen want gao investigation of federal money siphoned to delta tunnels. The framework provides a template for regional and stakeholderled approaches to restoring ecosystem functions to the delta landscape. Ultimately, the project would move water toward the thirsty cities and. Jerry brown and interior secretary ken salazar unveil a new plan for tunnels in the bay delta conservation plan. Opponents of the governors bay delta conservation plan say the construction of 35 miles of concrete tunnels around the sensitive sacramentosan joaquin delta. I argue that the bay delta conservation plan, which represents the largest technological fix to water conveyance since the. The proposed delta tunnels could be the nail in the coffin for native fish like chinook salmon and delta smelt, causing them to disappear from the san francisco baydelta forever. Bay delta conservation plan could tunnel california funds. The original delta tunnels plan called for building two tunnels, each 35 miles long and 40 feet high, under the delta, the vast system of channels and sloughs between the bay area and sacramento. When the water fix was revised, we ditched the habitat conservation plan and kept the tunnels. An intake for the first delta tunnel was completed this fall, and with the return of wet weather, began transporting flows that will eventually bypass the delta entirely.
The delta reform act is based on the coequal goals of the conservation and management of the sacramentosan joaquin river delta ecosystem and improving the current supplies and reliability of water conveyed through the state water project and the federal central valley project. Frobish california took a step towards replumbing its archaic delta water infrastructure by completing the first part of a contentious project. Federal agencies would not approve a 50year permit in the bay delta conservation plan bdcp because it did not provide for environmental assurances over that 50year term. Jerry browns new proposal for water export tunnels, but it might actually. Dec 25, 2014 as the state agency serving as the voice of the delta, the delta protection commission has been a skeptic of the governors proposed plan to build two 30milelong, 40footwide tunnels to. Really, the idea that two massive tunnels would be built in the delta was alwayswell, a pipe dream, says. Once built, even one tunnel will remove fresh water before it can flow through the delta. The tunnels could grab the sacramento river, which is the main supply of fresh water in the delta, san joaquin county, and the entire san francisco bay delta estuary. Delta tunnel the peripheral canal is a recurring proposal to divert water from californias sacramento river, around the periphery of the san joaquinsacramento river delta. Were going to court to ensure that waterfix meets the requirements of the endangered species act so that our children and grandchildren can experience the. Such a plan would actually create more jobs for california than a large and expensive project like the delta tunnels, said barbara barriganparrilla, executive director of restore the delta. As of 2019, the twotunnel plan is dead, but now a one tunnel plan is being pursued.
Senator lois wolk and others ask whether the delta tunnels bay delta conservation plan are good for california. The bdcp is intended to function as both a habitat conservation plan under the federal endangered species act and a natural community conservation plan under california law to protect 56 species of concern, ranging from the delta smelt and the sacramento rivers salmon runs to the valley elderberry longhorned beetle. Childrens books save the california delta alliance stcda. What to look for in the new delta tunnels plan nrdc. The prior draft of the bay delta conservation plan failed to adequately protect the delta s native fish and wildlife and the thousands of. Add to this the delta plan that will impliment whatever bdcp is approved, and the updated 20 california water plan which purports to use. California waterfix, plan to build delta tunnels, gets. Documents for the bay delta conservation plan were originally released in. Financing the tunnels would impose billions of dollars of tax and water rate increases on all californians to enrich a few large and powerful agribusinesses and oil companies.
Sep 24, 2012 the tunnel plan, as it stands now, represents a gigantic expense with limited benefits in both the short and long term. Map of proposed bay delta tunnels high country news. The tunnels are the linchpin of the bay delta conservation plan bdcp, a draft of the environmental impact assessment for which was released tuesday by the california department of water resources dwr. The delta plan would not restore the delta because the. The tunnels, disguised as part of the bay delta conservation plan, would damage californias economy, environment, sustainable family farms, and salmon population. Those tunnels havent changed much in the new version of the bay delta conservation plan, but the infrastructure to support them has been radically altered. What you need to know metropolitan water district voted to cover twothirds of the cost of building the controversial delta tunnels. This report updates an initial benefitcost analysis of the water conveyance tunnels at the center of the bay delta conservation plan bdcp. Single delta tunnel planning begins with notice of. Impacts of downsizing the delta twin tunnels project. The banks pumping plant looking toward the bay delta, where tunnels are planned that could protect fish. What threat does a major earthquake pose to the water supply 8. Study says delta tunnels plan would pay off for farmers, cities. The bdcp could not adequately provide for habitat restoration or the construction and operation of the two massive twin tunnels.
But an economist who has been critical of the tunnels says increased water reliability is not the issue. Bay delta conservation plan has major flaws environmental. The state officials who are fasttracking the construction of the bay delta conservation plan to build the peripheral tunnels under the sacramentosan joaquin river delta. In december 20, state and federal agencies released 40,000 pages of consultantprepared analysis and advocacy for the delta tunnels as part of the bay delta conservation plan. The plan is designed to provide for the conservation of sensitive species and their habitat in a way that will protect and restore water. California waterfix, which was a rebrand of the bay area delta conservation plan, issued biological opinions allowing the project to move forward. Part of the california water action plan signed by gov. Delta tunnels myths addressed save the sf baydelta. The bay delta conservation plan in the nutshell of california water. Fresh, clean, water supports the delta, the largest nursery for california fisheries, the largest pacific coast fly. Decision on jerry browns delta tunnels anticipated in september. By now, most california residents have heard about gov. Jan 26, 2018 one of the least discussed issues in california environmental politics and one of the most crucial to understanding governor jerry browns delta tunnels plan is the clear connection between the marine life protection act mlpa initiative and the california waterfix, formerly called the bay delta conservation plan bdcp.
Congressmen want gao investigation of federal money siphoned. The peripheral canal is a recurring proposal to divert water from californias sacramento river, around the periphery of the san joaquinsacramento river delta. Jerry brown in 2014, the twin tunnels project proposed to build two tunnels, 40 feet high, 35 miles long, buried 150 feet below the delta. Will proposition 1 pave the way for the delta tunnels. According to the environmental impact report, it consists of new north delta fishscreened intakes, intake pumping plants, continued use of the south delta intakes, operations of the north bay aqueduct alternative intake project which is where benicia gets a lot. Thats a continuation of the brown propaganda machine for the delta tunnels, barriganparrilla says with a sharp, short laugh. The seventeen billiondollar plan to build two tunnels under the sacramentosan joaquin delta delta in california, currently known as california waterfix ca waterfix, has been a concern for environmentalists and central valley landowners since the plan was initiated in 2005. Tunneling under californias bay delta water wars tunneling under.
Twin tunnels ensure reliability of water supply the san. Newsom officially kills jerry browns delta twin tunnels. Ccwd provided constructive input throughout the development of the bdcp and evaluated how proposed. Delta tunnel is a big drain compared to bullet train.
In santa clarita, we depend on the sierra nevada snow pack that flows through the sacramentosan joaquin delta. It would create a costly pair of giant tunnels to divert delta bound water directly from the sacramento river. We deserve to hear both sides of debate on delta tunnels. The bay delta conservation plan is a permitting process for longterm project permits for the sacramentosan joaquin delta that centers on coequal goals of species conservation and improving water supplies and delivery. The presentation included details on the seismic design criteria and the construction of the tunnel and its lining. The proposed project includes new water intakes on the sacramento river near hood and dual 35milelong tunnels to carry water to the existing south delta pumping plants for the state water. Before 2015, the bay delta conservation plan had two coequal goals of habitat restoration and water supply improvement. The story shows why the bay delta conservation plan bdcp and governor browns delta tunnels are not the needed solution and proposes a real, long term. Over the past several years a brown administration proposal known as the bay delta conservation plan. University of the pacifics business forecasting center issued a widerange analysis that put the tunnel plans final ratio of benefits to costs at 0. Bay delta conservation plan water education foundation. No bay delta tunnels campaign cspa news and archives.
We find the tunnels are not economically justified, because the costs of the tunnels are roughly 2. The bay delta conservation plan was a habitat conservation plan. Oct, 2016 the project, formerly known as the bay delta conservation plan, would build two massive tunnels beneath the sacramentosan joaquin river delta, replacing the northern portion of the state water. Why nrdc opposes the bay delta conservation plan nrdc. One tunnel save the california delta alliance stcda.
This recent study by usgs, presented at the delta independence science board, show that the earthquake threat to delta levees is significantly less than originally thought. I heard that building these tunnels will create a lot of jobs isnt that a. Robert said good things about habitat conservation plans, and i will as well. The bay delta conservation plan, as the tunnel project is formally known, is being pushed by gov. Diverting the sacramento river, which constitutes 80 percent of the freshwater flow into the san francisco bay delta, would have a devastating effect on its. This means that for every dollar spent on the project. Doesnt southern california need more water from northern california. The california waterfix consists of two massive 35mile long tunnels that would divert sacramento river water to. Jerry browns multibilliondollar watertunnel system, the project calls for the installation of two tunnels, each 40 feet in diameter and 35 miles long, to be built beneath the sacramentosan joaquin delta. Study says delta tunnel plan would pay off for farmers, cities. I wrote on oped three years ago published in the sacramento bee that said, lets ditch the tunnels and keep the habitat conservation plan. Jan 21, 2014 in santa clarita, we depend on the sierra nevada snow pack that flows through the sacramentosan joaquin delta. Water quality impacts of the delta tunnels project by tim.
The final eireis for the bay delta conservation plan california waterfix aka delta tunnels was released and is available online. The main tunnels are intended to connect the intermediate forebay to the clifton court. Unraveling the knot water movement in the sacramentosan joaquin delta. Jerry browns call to build a twin tunnel system to move water. The series of documents is said to be over 42,000 pages including the associated maps. Jerry browns office had hoped it would pay for his controversial delta tunnels project. Revised plan for delta tunnels is still a bad idea the. Then schwarzenegger began the bay delta conservation plan. Bdcp fact sheet and contact information of representatives and water representatives. Today when the fresh sacramento water flows through the delta, it is used by fish, fowl, farmers, community drinking water, boaters and recreation users. Delta independent science board slams browns tunnel plan. What does californias drought mean for the proposed bay. Each tunnel would be 150 feet below ground, 40 feet in diameter and 30 miles in length. Delta conveyance in 2006, the bay delta conservation plan bdcp was proposed, with the stated intent of reducing the impacts of exporting water from the delta.
The association supported both proposition 1 and the bay delta conservation plan. Bay delta conservation plantwin tunnels project input. Jan 23, 2014 currently tunnel alternative 4 is the preferred choice for the tunnel system by the bdcp. The bay institute, a wellregarded environmental group, has determined the the bay delta conservation plan to construct tunnels to send water south. Even a single water tunnel burrowed under the californias delta would be worth it for urban ratepayers and farmers who would to. The bay delta conservation plan bdcp steering committee is preparing a draft habitat conservation plan hcp and natural communities conservation plan nccp for the sacramento sanjoaquin delta delta, expected to be available for public comment by the end of 2010. At the june 24th meeting of metropolitan water districts special committee on the bay delta, committee members heard a presentation on the seismic performance for the proposed twin tunnels, the centerpiece of the bay delta conservation plan. Jun 14, 2017 since 2007 when governor arnold schwarzenegger revived the plan to build a peripheral canal or tunnels around or under the delta, fishermen, tribal leaders, conservationists, environmental justice. The document begins the preparation of an environmental impact. California water fix and eco restore, formerly known as the bay delta conservation plan, is a. Climate change prompts new concerns about delta tunnels. Public comments on the delta tunnels bdcp are due by october 30.
Mapbook for modified pipeline and tunnel alignment. Barbara barriganparrilla, 2094792053, email protected stockton, ca planning for a single tunnel through the san francisco bay delta, formally began today as the california department of water resources dwr released its delta conveyance notice of preparation. The delta conservation framework is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource and guide for planning conservation in the delta through 2050. The bay delta and the twin tunnels butte environmental council. Bill jennings, executive director of the california sportfishing protection alliance and board member of the california water impact network cwin and executive committee member of restore the delta, summed up the reactions of many to the revised plan when he said, the. The bay delta conservation plan following the demise of calfed, the continuing collapse of delta fisheries and the prospect of more restrictive endangered species act esa limitations on delta diversions, the department of water resources and the state and federal water contractors conspired in 2007 to revive the old peripheral canal scheme to. The delta protection ommissions economic sustainability plan discusses the advantages of this approach in detail. Announcing that they are forging ahead, dan morain provided an opinion piece in the. Tunnel proponents have come up with the bay delta conservation plan as a way to mislead people about the actual impact that the twin tunnels would have on the san francisco bay delta. Dec 15, 2010 the draft plan is intended to serve as the basis for a 50year permit under the federal endangered species act and state natural communities conservation planning act for the operation of delta export pumping projects.
Aug 16, 2017 the thirst of californias 40 million residents and the ravages of climate change has the sacramentosan joaquin river delta the states most important water source and the west coasts largest estuary on the brink of ecological disaster. The plan is designed to provide for the conservation of sensitive species. The plan now proposes fewer pumping plants along the peripheral tunnels, and would spare most of the 9,000acre staten island, a wildliferich wetland that would have been the site of. The bay delta conservation plan bdcp, through which the brown administration proposes to move unknown new amounts of water out of the sensitive san francisco bay delta, is not the right plan for the 21st century. The delta tunnels plan, california water fix, the bay delta conservation plan its been known by all of these names plus a few others, some of them unprintable, but they all refer essentially to the same project. Jerry browns plan to construct two 40foot diameter peripheral tunnels 150feet below the sacramentosan joaquin delta, the states largest and most critical water supply. Final delta tunnel eireis released save the california. Bay delta conservation plan california waterfix san francisco. In effect, the 50year guarantee to restore the delta. Dealing with these problems will entail monumental costs, and those will fall inevitably on california taxpayers who will be asked to pay the bills, year after year, so the big water barons can use their tunnels and inflate. A longdebated water plan that could change the courseliterallyof water in california, will be up for a vote by the state water resources control board swrcb next month. Its a great day for the san francisco bay, delta and california, said barbara barriganparrilla, the executive director of the conservation group restore the delta.
But if there were two huge tunnels and 9,000 cfs export capacity north of the delta, would state and federal agencies actually implement the plan s required delta outflow for fish and wildlife. Maven slices, dices, and jpegs the revised documents for you. Currently tunnel alternative 4 is the preferred choice for the tunnel system by the bdcp. The brown administrations controversial plan to route water from the north delta to the south delta through a. Tunnel opponents blast governors revised bay delta conservation plan by dan bacher on april 30 at a press conference in oakland, governor jerry brown and federal officials unveiled controversial plans that they claim accelerate restoration of the delta s ecosystem and fix the states aging water infrastructure by building two massive underground tunnels. Jerry brown and a contingent of major water suppliers, mostly in. Tunnel opponents blast governors revised bay delta. Benefit cost analysis of delta water conveyance tunnels. Browns bay delta conservation plan bdcp calls for the construction of two sidebyside underground tunnels, 33 feet in diameter, that would carry fresh water from the sacramento river, under. A plan to build two tunnels that would divert water from sacramento to san joaquin valley farms poses a dire threat to salmon, according to a bay area salmon protection group. In an effort to stabilize the sacramentosacramento river delta s fisheries and water supply, the bay delta conservation plan proposes building a tunnel to transfer water from the sacramento river.
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