Gov. Gavin Newsom Restarts Giant Water Tunnel Project
Share
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has restarted a project to build a giant, underground tunnel that would pump billions of gallons of water from the San Joaquin Delta to the southern part of the state.
“This project would help safeguard a vital source of affordable water for millions of Californians.” — Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources
Newsom’s administration on Wednesday issued a Notice of Preparation for the project, which is the first step in the state’s lengthy environmental review process.Last year, Newsom halted a similar project that would have built two tunnels for the same purpose. The new project will have only one tunnel, and it will carry less water. State officials don’t know how much it will cost.
“This project would help safeguard a vital source of affordable water for millions of Californians,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources.
The tunnel would be a major addition to the State Water Project, the complex system of reservoirs, aqueducts and pumping plants that deliver water to more than 27 million Californians and 3 million acres of farmland. The water comes from rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
![Photo of an aerial view of the Sacramento](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16164943/sacramento-delta-1.jpg)
The San Joaquin Delta Is Home to Nearly 750 Species of Plants and Wildlife
State officials say they need the tunnel because intake for the current system is only 3 feet above the average sea level, making it vulnerable to climate change.
“We anticipated that there might be an effort to employ a list of efficiency, conservation, and other measures to reduce dependence on a tunnel before moving forward on such a massive and environmentally harmful project. Now we’ll have to focus a lot of time and energy on battling the tunnel again.” — Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips
The San Joaquin Delta is home to nearly 750 species of plants and wildlife. It’s also critical part of the breeding network of wild salmon. The Sierra Club California has opposed diverting water from the Delta because the organization is concerned about how it would impact fish and wildlife.“We anticipated that there might be an effort to employ a list of efficiency, conservation, and other measures to reduce dependence on a tunnel before moving forward on such a massive and environmentally harmful project,” Sierra Club California Director Kathryn Phillips said. “Now we’ll have to focus a lot of time and energy on battling the tunnel again.”
Other groups praised the project because they said it would modernize the state’s aging water distribution infrastructure.
“This plan will help guarantee the reliable source of water we need to support additional housing necessary to meet the needs of California’s population,” said Dan Dunmoyer, president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association.
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
Crime /
4 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
News /
4 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
Business /
7 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
Politics /
8 hours ago
Measure P Arts Grants Spark Debate and a Meeting Tonight
Latest /
8 hours ago
Tedford Exits Fresno State Football. Tim Skipper Is the Next Bulldog Up.
Sports /
8 hours ago
Trump Receives Enough Delegate Votes to Officially be Republicans’ Nominee
News /
9 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
A Minnesota man who disappeared Friday while rescuing his two young children from the rain-swollen Mississippi River was found dead by autho...
News /
3 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15173402/A-photo-provided-by-Jesse-Pope-shows-Cody-Jay-Pope-right-with-him-in-2012.-The-authorities-found-the-body-of-Cody-Jay-Pope-a-41-year-old-Minnesota-man-who-had-disappeared-two-days-earlier-after-1024x538.jpg)
News /
3 hours ago
Man Dies After Rescuing His 2 Children in Mississippi River
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15150557/AP24197467333843-1024x576.jpg)
Economy /
4 hours ago
Is Inflation Finally Corralled? Powell Says Federal Reserve Believes It’s Close
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15171647/Los-Hooligans-court_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Crime /
4 hours ago
Gomez Guilty of Murdering Los Hooligans Bass Player
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15172819/President-Joe-Biden-arrives-to-speak-to-members-of-the-media-in-Rehoboth-Beach-Del.-about-the-shooting-incident-at-Donald-Trumps-rally-in-Pa.-on-Saturday-July-13-2024.-President-Biden-said-o-1024x538.jpg)
News /
4 hours ago
Biden Says It Was a Mistake to Say He Wanted to Put Trump in a ‘Bull’s-Eye’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15144853/AP24197697589922_-1024x576.jpg)
Business /
7 hours ago
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Appears to Confirm Delay in Aug. 8 Robotaxi Unveil Event to Make Design Change
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/15120621/lawsuit-against-respiratory-care-facility_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Politics /
8 hours ago
Smittcamp Asks Court to Drop His Lawsuit Against Controversial NW Fresno Project
![The Wines of Fresno: Tony Kirk, Birdstone Winery](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12152749/Tony-Kirk-Birdstone-Winery-016-1-1024x576.jpg)
Featured /
3 days ago