By Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla      As most of you know from our recent press release, or from the MSM, Governor Newsom announced yesterday that he does not support California WaterFix, the twin tunnels in their current configuration.  He also said that he believes that new conveyance is needed, a single tunnel. So, before we delve into what that means for the Delta, our work partners, Delta residents, fisheries, and the Restore the Delta campaign, let’s breathe and be grateful! After more than 12 years of daily combat with two prior governors, Governor Newsom heard us.  That is huge.  The voices of Delta people, local government agencies, Delta water districts, Delta legislators and lawyers, environmental groups and their lawyers, the environmental justice community [...]

For Immediate Release: 2/12/19 Contact: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta, [email protected]   Governor Newsom Ends Twin TunnelsRestore the Delta Responds Stockton, CA – At the State Capitol in Sacramento, Governor Gavin Newsom gave his first State of the State Address today. In a highly-anticipated decision, Governor Newsom pulled the plug on the decade-long proposal known as the California Water Fix (Twin Tunnels.) On water issues, Governor Newsom said: “There are no easy answers. But let me be as clear as I can be. I do not support, the WaterFix as currently configured, meaning I don’t support the Twin Tunnels.” Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta responds: “We are grateful to Governor Newsom for listening to the people of the [...]

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2019 Contact: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta, 209-479-2053, [email protected]   Restore the Delta Applauds Bills to Create a Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Stockton, CA – Restore the Delta today applauds the introduction of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act in the U.S. Senate today. Congressman John Garamendi (D-Calif.) recently introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill would establish California’s first National Heritage Area, a designation that already exists in many states. The Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area provides a great model. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as a National Heritage Area would be managed by the Delta Protection Commission. The bill authorizes $10 million to local governments and nonprofit organizations to develop a [...]

For Immediate Releease: February 1, 2019 Contact: Paul Payne (707) 576-2093 Sen. Dodd Introduces Delta Tunnels Oversight Bill SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today that will help protect California’s precious water supply and ensure the vitality of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta by requiring more legislative oversight and public scrutiny of the state’s twin-tunnels project known as WaterFix. “In years past, there has been too little opportunity for impacted communities to influence this flawed project, which will have a massive impact on the Delta’s environment, the local economy and drinking water quality,” said Sen. Dodd, co-chair of the Legislative Delta Caucus. “This bill will gives the Legislature and Delta residents a place at the table to learn about what’s going on, express concerns and offer solutions that will serve [...]

In Case You Missed It Recent California Water News 1/28/2019 Water district weighs raising taxes or raising water bills – Mountain View Voice 1/24/19 “The water district is looking for more money to pay for its share of the controversial California WaterFix, a $16.7 billion state project that would build two 40-foot-wide tunnels from Sacramento to Tracy. Water district board members agreed in May last year to be a partner agency in the project, which was estimated to cost the district $650 million.” Restore the Delta Comment: “A number of permits are still needed to begin tunnels construction, financing is not in place, litigation is unfolding, the project now costs $19.8 billion, and only 10 percent of the design is [...]

    Restore the Delta presents an evening of blues, jazz, Latin and soul music, performed by Papa Hip, to benefit its campaign to raise awareness of why the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary should be restored for future generations.   Blues for the Delta Friday, February 22, 2019 7pm to 9:30pm   The Side Door at the Fifth String 2900 Franklin Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95818   $20 per person | Ticket available here: https://www.thesidedoor.net/events/papa-hip   Silent auction   Papa Hip is a 6-piece Sacramento band known for its musical diversity and dedication to supporting important community causes. Playing everything from Latin jazz to reggae. Papa Hip is an ensemble of saxophone, keyboards, harmonica, bass, guitar, bongos, and drums to bring [...]

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2018 Contact: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053 CA WATER: SF Bay-Delta Activists Welcome Governor Newsom; New agenda could protect largest estuary on the West Coast Sacramento – As Gavin Newsom is sworn-in as the new Governor of the State of California, water activists from the San Francisco Bay-Delta community are feeling hopeful about a potential change in California water politics. Newsom is bringing a new set of priorities to Sacramento that may not include California WaterFix, also known at the twin “Delta Tunnels,” a controversial,  yet so-far unsuccessful legacy project of Governor Brown. The Twin Tunnels proposal still lacks state permits required to begin construction and that process has now become an uphill battle . Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla [...]

Let me just take a moment to thank each and every one of you. What a strong year is has been for Restore the Delta activists! I am hesitant to say this out loud, but we are holding our own in the fight for the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary and sustainable California water management, and we couldn’t have done it without your support and activism. In 2018, we’ve made significant progress in our fight to protect and restore the Delta.   We did much better than anticipated during votes to support WaterFix at Metropolitan Water District and Santa Clara Valley Water District.  While these were not technical “wins,” we split their board votes, and cultivated new water advocates, making the process more [...]

For Immediate Release: 12/19/18Contact:Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053Tim Stroshane, 510-847-7556 DWR’S No Harm Agreement & Letter Of Dismissal To Water Agencies:A “Surrender Dorothy” Effort To Save WaterFix By The Brown Administration Stockton – Documents released to the Planning and Conservation League via a public records act request this week reveal details of the “No Harm Agreement” between the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation (the Bureau) regarding California WaterFix.  In addition, a “Letter of Dismissal,” a document demanding that specific water districts and local government agencies abandon their case-in-chiefs opposing WaterFix before the State Water Resources Control Board  (SWRCB), was also included in the document release, but not previously reported in media accounts of what was transpiring [...]