Restore the Delta has submitted a letter of opposition against Governor Newsom’s efforts of gutting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) through his Budget Trailer Bills.  These Budget Trailer Bills jeopardize weakening CEQA, and if passed could have huge impacts on water and other related climate infrastructure. One of the proposed bills could speed up the permit process for developing the Delta Conveyance Project (Delta Tunnel). The Delta Conveyance Project presents multiple concerns ranging from water quality, public health, and environmental degradation of the surrounding project area and waterways of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  Additionally, on May 25th, “In a 3-0 vote, a Senate budget committee found Newsom’s package was too complex for last-minute consideration under legislative deadlines.” Yet, even with that [...]

The State Water Board is hosting an online Environmental Justice Listening Session on June 7th from 3pm to 7 pm. This listening session will focus on gathering Environmental Justice community input on its implementation of the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay Delta Plan/BDP) and proposed Voluntary Agreements. Representatives of environmental justice organizations, economically disadvantaged communities (DACs); and black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community members and individuals are specifically invited to this event.  The Board will run short presentations on the Bay-Delta Plan process and Voluntary Agreements, including a recently released Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement. These will be followed by the public’s “opportunity to provide input” and then breakout groups that will inform [...]

For Immediate Release: 5/19/23Contact: Tim Stroshane, 510-847-7556,  [email protected] Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053, [email protected]  Stockton, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a legislative package and signing an executive order that would “make it easier” for various infrastructure projects including building transportation, clean energy, water, and other infrastructure across the state of California. The proposal aims to shorten the contracting process for bridge and water projects, limit timelines for environmental litigation and simplify permitting for complicated developments in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and elsewhere  Newsom unveils plan to speed up infrastructure in California – LA Times 5/19/23 Restore the Delta’s Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla released the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s infrastructure plan. “Governor Newsom does not respect the people in communities that need environmental protection. During the [...]

By: Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla 2023 – the year that Restore the Delta has had to assertively and swiftly advocate for flood protection and flows simultaneously. Perhaps this is why we feel like we have completed an entire year’s worth of work in four months. We have not been afforded a great deal of time for reflection or for articulating where we see the realization of a healthy and restored Delta presently or in the future. Of course, the Delta Conveyance Project lingers on like the zombie that it is, poised to rise from the Delta peat soils and gobble up opportunities for future restoration of the estuary. So, let’s take a moment to catch everyone up. Flood: Localized flooding in the [...]

For Immediate Release: 5/12/23Contact:Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, 209-479-2053, [email protected]  As reported by CalMatters’ Alastair Bland in ,“Newsom restores floodplain funds, adds $290 million to flood control budget,” earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom “yanked $40 million in funding to restore San Joaquin Valley floodplains from his proposed budget, angering legislators from both parties and conservationists. Today, he gave all of the money back as part of a $290-million package to increase flood protection funding statewide.” “Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta, an environmental justice group in Stockton, also applauded the governor’s action. Scientists say the San Joaquin Valley could experience cataclysmic flooding in the near future. “The governor listened to the multitude of voices that have called for the restoration and expansion of flood [...]

Report urges Metropolitan Water District to abandon Newsom’s $16-billion delta tunnel plan – LA Times 5/10/23In a report released this week, the California Water Impact Network said the Delta tunnel (Delta Conveyance Project) may seem like a viable alternative but has three major flaws: “an exorbitant price tag, environmental restrictions on operations and the impacts of climate change on deliveries.”  Max Gomberg, a former employee of the State Water Resources Control Board resigned last year, now works as a consultant for the California Water Impact Network. Gomberg says that the Delta tunnel project’s reliability is uncertain in regards to climate change and pumping restrictions from environmental regulations. Gomberg also provides alternatives for the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) instead of continuing with investing into the Delta tunnel [...]

Save the Date!Join us on Thursday June 22, 2023 for dinner, wine, and the Delta Advocate Award ceremony at Bare Ranch by Michael David Winery in Lodi, CA.  We are so excited to celebrate in person this year. Not only is it a time of celebration of our work, but more importantly, it is time for us to honor so many people who have worked with us side-by-side during and post-Covid — to protect community and to strengthen Delta advocacy.  This year we are honoring the following individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Delta: Delta Legacy Awards (In Memoriam of Delta Leaders who have passed): Bill Jennings, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance Dino CortopassiJay Sorensen Delta Advocate Awards: Tim Stroshane, Restore the [...]

Save the Date!Join us on Thursday June 22, 2023 for dinner, wine, and the Delta Advocate Award ceremony at Bare Ranch by Michael David Winery in Lodi, CA. We are so excited to celebrate in person this year. We will be honoring individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Delta. Award recipients will be announced soon! Tickets are $125 each. This includes a paella dinner from the local Addy’s Paella, passed appetizers, poured Michael David Wine and Beer, and dessert.  You can purchase them here. Thank you to Thomas Zuckerman and family, local farmers and Delta landowners for their generous Sacramento River Sponsorship! Sponsorships are available! Sacramento River Sponsor $10,000 & up:Includes full table (10 tickets), two exclusive bottles from Michael [...]

On March 16, 2023, the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency Board authorized balloting for a proposed property assessment to fund levee construction and maintenance. Assessment ballots have been mailed to affected property owners. Ballots must be returned by June 8, 2023. The SJAFCA’s property assessment for a property can be calculated here. Restore the Delta encourages property owners to vote FOR the assessment so state and federal money to come to our region for flood control.Our Community is Threatened by Massive FloodingAs California’s weather becomes more extreme, floods and drought are becoming the new normal. Unfortunately, San Joaquin County and cities like Stockton are not ready to combat it. Floods aren’t new for Stockton, but the upcoming climate change storms and [...]