Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) have announced new measures to ensure accountability and transparency for communities that may be affected by the construction of the Delta Conveyance Project. The project is a major part of California’s water and climate adaptation strategy.
The DWR released an Accountability Action Plan that outlines several steps to support local communities during the project’s construction. One significant feature of the plan is a $200 million Community Benefits Program, which will provide funding to areas near construction sites.
The plan aims to avoid, minimize, or offset potential impacts on residents, businesses, tribes, and visitors in the Delta region. It was developed in response to concerns raised during public input sessions throughout the planning process.
“Critics of the Delta Conveyance Project, including those in the Legislature, have repeatedly made false claims that the concerns of the communities in the Delta are not being heard. This Accountability Action Plan shows that my administration is listening, and we are taking action to hold ourselves accountable and respond to community concerns during the construction of this important infrastructure project,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Delta Conveyance Project is designed to upgrade California’s State Water Project. The goal is to improve water delivery systems so managers can capture more water during periods of heavy rain and move it efficiently across regions such as the San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, Bay Area, and Central Coast. This modernization effort would also help protect against earthquake risks.
Planning for this version of the Delta Conveyance Project began in 2019 when Governor Newsom withdrew a previous twin tunnels proposal known as “Water Fix” and started a new environmental review focused on a single-tunnel design. The process included environmental analysis under CEQA requirements, public review periods, extensive outreach efforts, and responses to over 7,000 public comments.
Key elements of DWR’s Accountability Action Plan include:
– An Ombudsman Office serving as a single point of contact for addressing community concerns related to construction.
– Regulatory mitigation through monitoring programs aimed at minimizing environmental impacts.
– A $200 million Community Benefits Program intended for communities most affected by construction.
– Formation of community advisory groups for direct engagement with local stakeholders.
– A proactive communication strategy designed to keep communities informed about progress and available resources.
According to state officials, these steps are intended both to inform affected parties about available programs and commitments and foster trust between DWR representatives and local communities.
The State Water Project currently supplies water for 27 million Californians and irrigates 750,000 acres of farmland. Improvements from this project aim to better capture high flows from storms while preparing California for future challenges linked to droughts or climate change.
Governor Newsom has called on lawmakers to act on pending legislation needed to fast-track work on this infrastructure initiative.
