Newsom's Delta Tunnel speed-up plan could hurt region's fishing, farming, critics say

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on May 19 a plan to build out California’s clean and green future faster, but some local leaders aren’t thrilled with what it could mean for the controversial Delta Tunnel project.

Newsom and the state Department of Water Resources have shown support for the $16 billion project to convey water from the Delta down to southern California, a concept tossed around since the 1980s. The current iteration downsizes the project from two tunnels to one.

The governor hopes to speed up construction, expedite court reviews, streamline permitting and California Environmental Quality Act processes and start a climate projects financing program — all to expedite clean infrastructure projects across the state.

“The only way to achieve California’s world-leading climate goals is to build, build, build — faster,” Newsom said. “This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century. It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs.”

Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director at Restore the Delta, said the current draft environmental impact report for the Delta Tunnel is “totally inadequate … the worst environmental impact report version we’ve seen,” and a revised or completed report is to be submitted by December.

Restore the Delta says a more realistic estimate for the Delta Tunnel is $50 to $60 billion when its all said and done. Environmental groups have sued to stop the project.

“(Newsom is) just going to revise the rules by executive order or fiat, and we’re tired of it … it is a real pattern with this governor,” Barrigan-Parrilla told The Record. “(It’s) ‘we have new rules, and we don’t have to adjust for these concerns or standards, so we’re just going to do the project and say it’s about securing a water future for California.' ”

The consequences could be dire for the Delta region, Barrigan-Parrilla said, including the multi-billion-dollar local fishery and ag industries. Hundreds of wildlife and plant species — including the Delta smelt and the endangered Chinook salmon — would risk decimation or extinction without a habitat with adequate amounts of water. Not to mention in years like this year, where water is in surplus, there’s no place to put extra water in southern California, Barrigan-Parrilla said.

“(The Delta Tunnel) means the fisheries die, it means we’re surrounded by harmful algal blooms and stagnant, polluted water,” Barrigan-Parrilla said. “It’s not a climate project … that’s not justice. That’s not following the rule of law.”

Congressman Josh Harder (D-Tracy) said in a statement he’s all for speeding up transportation and water infrastructure projects, but he sees Newsom’s plan as a Trojan horse to fast-track a “disastrous water grab that would send our water to Beverly Hills.

“We are not fooled. Our community has spoken up time and time again that this is a bad project,” Harder said in a statement. “Sacramento politicians are now trying to change the rules to build the tunnel against our wishes. We will fight this tooth and nail.”

State Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) said in a statement he'll continue to "strongly oppose" any attempt at a water grab through conveyance projects, especially without appropriate review.

“Expediting this water grab in the name of 'building a clean future' is nothing short of ironic," Villapudua said in a statement. "Rather, this will expedite the demise of a fragile water supply and put the entire ecosystem at risk."

For the past decade, officials have pursued water projects in drought-prone California. Another would be a massive new reservoir near the tiny community of Sites in Northern California that could store more water during deluges — like the series of atmospheric rivers that hit the state earlier this year — for delivery to farmers. The Sites Reservoir is still trying to acquire necessary permits to begin construction.

One key proposal is to limit the amount of time it takes to resolve environmental lawsuits to about nine months. Newsom said his administration is “not looking to roll over anybody,” including what he called the “fierce champions” of environmental stewardship.

“I mean, nine months, you can have a kid, OK? I mean that's a long time,” Newsom said Friday while visiting the site of a future solar farm in Stanislaus County.

Newsom says California has hundreds of billions of dollars to spend on infrastructure projects over the next decade, the result of voter-approved bonds, bountiful budget surpluses during the pandemic and an influx of federal cash from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill.

But he said the state is often too slow to approve those projects and that the federal money is “going to other states that are moving more aggressively.” Newsom said his proposals could shorten how long it takes to build projects by more than three years.

His office said the legislation would allow various state agencies, including the Department of Transportation, to more quickly approve projects and issue permits. Newsom also signed an executive order on Friday creating what he called an “infrastructure strike team” to identify fast-track projects.

Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Authority that is overseeing the new reservoir, said he thinks Newsom's proposals could allow construction to start a year early, saving about $100 million.

“That saves a lot of money and gets a lot of jobs in the pipeline,” he said.

Newsom wants the legislation to be part of the state's budget, which must be passed before the end of June. That means, if approved, it could take effect sooner and would only require a majority vote of the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Toni Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego and the leader of the state Senate, said “the climate crisis requires that we move faster to build and strengthen critical infrastructure," adding that lawmakers will “ensure we can do so responsibly, and in line with California's commitment to high road jobs and environmental protection.”

Some Republicans cheered Newsom's proposal, with Republican Senate Leader Brian Jones saying the governor “is finally taking action.” Others were more skeptical, with Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher saying Democrats in the Legislature are the biggest obstacle to Newsom's proposals. “Gavin Newsom loves to brag that he can ‘jam’ Democratic lawmakers. Let's see it,” Gallagher said. “Republicans are ready to work with him towards real reforms.”

The AP contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Newsom's sped-up Delta Tunnel project faces criticism