Press
We are sharing related articles and press releases to Protect Our Delta.
Please note that some may be behind a paywall.
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Delta Counties Coalition says Governor’s “milestone” claim on Delta tunnel is premature and disingenuous
Maven’s Notebook • Delta Counties Coalition
The Delta Counties Coalition (DCC) Chair Supervisor Pat Hume issued the following statement in response to the Administration’s announcement regarding the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) receiving Biological Opinions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: DWR dismisses its second attempt to validate a Delta tunnel bond financing plan
Maven’s Notebook • Guest Contributor
Following its failed attempt to obtain judicial approval of its first Delta Tunnel bond financing plan, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has now dismissed its second “Validation Action,” by which it had sought judicial approval of its second Tunnel financing scheme.
CAL MATTERS: Will California ever build the Delta tunnel? Major battles ahead as Newsom era nears end
Maven’s Notebook • Cal Matters
In what Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed as a major milestone, his $20 billion Delta tunnel largely cleared another chokepoint last week — but it still faces obstacles of a different magnitude.
COMMENTARY: C-WIN: Claims of Delta tunnel progress contradicted by reality
Maven’s Notebook • CA Water Impact Network
In recent testimony before the State Water Board, the General Manager of the Zone 7 Water Agency—which serves the Silicon Valley suburbs of Dublin, San Ramon, and Livermore—stated that her agency is continuing to pursue the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) because it is “moving forward” through the regulatory process.
COMMENTARY: C-WIN: Claims of Delta tunnel progress contradicted by reality
Maven’s Notebook • California Water Impact Network
The courts, project costs, and political realities are combining to sink the DCP…
RESTORE THE DELTA: Tribal and environmental advocates denounce Certification of Consistency approval for the Delta Conveyance Project
Maven’s Notebook • Restore the Delta
Groups warn the project ignores state law, threatens important Tribal cultural sites, and the health of the Delta ecosystem….
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Delta Counties celebrate final court victory blocking illegal financing for delta tunnel
Maven’s Notebook • Delta Counties Coalition
Court decision is now final, protecting ratepayers, the Delta, and the rule of law…
SJV WATER: Support for Delta tunnel dropping in Kern County
Mavens Notebook • Lois Henry, SJV Water
Financial support for the controversial Delta Conveyance Project has been eroding among Kern County agricultural water districts over the past year and lost another significant chunk when the Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District opted recently to cut its contribution by nearly 97% – from $4.6 million down to $146,000.
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Ruling on DTEC’s Evidentiary Objections to DWR’s “Subpoena Panel” Exhibits and Related Testimony (Hearing on Proposed Delta Conveyance Project)
Mavens Notebook• State Water Board
This procedural ruling responds to the Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition’s (DTEC) November 21, 2025 evidentiary objections to exhibits submitted by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and related testimony by Anecita Agustinez, Kristina Reese, and Susan Lassell (DWR’s witnesses).
COMMENTARY: Protecting California’s water – SB 872
Mavens Notebook• Michelle Paul, California Farm Water Coalition
From the moment California’s earliest residents called the vast, fertile soils of California’s Central Valley home, efforts began to solve one of the state’s oldest challenges: harnessing the water.
THE CURRENT: Why some regions are winning the fight against groundwater depletion
Mavens Notebook• Harrison Tasoff
For half the world’s population, the water in their drinking glasses comes from below them. Groundwater also supplies 40% of global irrigation projects.
PRESS RELEASE: State Water Board releases draft water right decision for proposed Sites Reservoir
Mavens Notebook• State Water Board
The State Water Resources Control Board today released for public comment a draft water right decision and associated permit for a new reservoir located approximately 65 miles northwest of Sacramento.
COURTHOUSE NEWS: Delta Conveyance Project opponents say plan would hurt environment, tourism, farming
Mavens Notebook • Alan Riquelmy, Courthouse News Service
Attorneys and officials opposed to a massive California water project pleaded their case Thursday to an oversight panel, arguing point by point how the Delta Conveyance Project failed to meet specified criteria.
Appeals court shoots down California water managers’ plan to finance Delta tunnel
The Bee • Lia Russel and Chaewon Chung
Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new version of the plan to create a 45-mile tunnel to divert water from the Sacramento River and route it under the Delta. By California Department of Water Resources
In California water news this weekend ...
Mavens Notebook •
Early 2026 storms bring heavy rain to the western US, raising flooding risk in Northern California
California appellate court upholds bar on revenue bonds for Delta Program
SIDING WITH COUNTIES AND OTHER OPPONENTS, COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS DECISION REJECTING DWR’S UNLAWFUL ATTEMPT TO VALIDATE BOND FINANCING FOR DELTA TUNNEL PROJECT
Mavens Notebook •
Sacramento, CA – On December 31, 2025, the Court of Appeal for the Third Appellate District affirmed a trial court decision against the State Department of Water Resources (DWR), which sought to validate bond resolutions and revenue pledges to finance DWR’s controversial Delta Tunnel project known as the Delta Conveyance Project
DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: Ten appeals filed for the Delta Conveyance Project consistency determination
Mavens Notebook • Delta Stewardship Council
The following parties have appealed the California Department of Water Resources Certification of Consistency (C20257) for the Delta Conveyance Project, which was submitted to the Delta Stewardship Council on October 17, 2025.
The $32bn question: Benchmarking California’s Delta Water Tunnel against global tunnelling risk
New Civil Engineer • Michala Techau, Gareth Dooley, and Dirk Poker
California’s $20.1bn (£15.3bn) Delta Conveyance Project (Delta Water Tunnel) will be the largest water infrastructure investment in the state’s history, at a planned length of 72.5km, an 11.9m external diameter and a planned schedule of 14 years of construction.
Protecting tribal water uses requires rejecting the Delta Conveyance Project
Mavens Notebook • Regina Cuellar
For over 50 years, California law and regulations have designated beneficial water uses that require water quality protection.