RBOC is continuing its opposition to the controversial proposal to construct a tunnel through the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta as Governor Newsom's Department of Water Resources "restarted" the Delta single tunnel Delta Conveyance Project last week with a Notice of Preparation [NOP] that initiates the Environmental Impact Review [EIR].
RBOC urges boaters to submit their concerns by the March 20 deadline, and to attend and speak at one of the seven public scoping meetings to be held on February 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, 19 and 20 throughout the state.
The Delta Conveyance Project, even as a single-tunnel version of the previous WaterFix project, would be a massive construction project that could seriously impact boaters’ access to the Delta for years to come.
Stated RBOC President Daniel J. Hodge: “RBOC and the boating community must continue to speak strongly during this new phase. Even as reconfigured, the single tunnel would significantly impair the ability of boaters to access the 1,000 miles of waterways in the Delta – especially during the 13 or more years of construction.”
The proposed Delta Conveyance Project is the latest threat to boating in the Delta. The project is described in the NOP is a single underground tunnel with two intakes that together have a total diversion capacity of 6,000 cubic feet-per-second (cfs). The NOP notes that there will likely be alternatives identified that evaluate a range of capacities from 3,000 cfs to 7,500 cfs.
Construction and commissioning of the overall conveyance project is projected to take approximately 13 years. During construction, major waterways and tributaries could be closed to recreational boaters. The project announcement notes that probable effects may include the displacement and reduction of recreation sites as well as effects on marine traffic.
RBOC concerns include:
The significant, negative impact that will occur with the closure of waterways to navigation during the lengthy construction period.
The absence of a plan to ensure that the Delta infrastructure will not only be preserved, but improved.
The lack of surety that the plan will address the threat that climate change and increased water transfer pose to the amount and quality of water in the Delta.
RBOC urges boaters to take action by submitting comments and attending one of the seven public scoping meetings.
Public comments on the NOP are due on March 20, 2020 by 5 p.m. and may be submitted via email at DeltaConveyanceScoping@water.ca.gov or mail at Delta Conveyance Scoping Comments, Attn: Renee Rodriguez, Department of Water Resources, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236.
The proposed project is of statewide, regional or area-wide significance; therefore, a CEQA scoping meeting is required pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.9, subdivision (a)(2). Public Scoping meetings are scheduled to take place at the following times and locations:
Monday, February 3, 2020, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. California Environmental Protection Agency Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento
Wednesday, February 5, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Junipero Serra State Building, 320 West Fourth Street, Los Angeles
Monday, February 10, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Jean Harvie Community Center, 14273 River Road, Walnut Grove
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Room, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. San Joaquin Council of Governments Board Room, 555 Weber Avenue, Stockton
Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Clarksburg Middle School Auditorium, 52870 Netherlands Road, Clarksburg
Thursday, February 20, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Brentwood Community Center Conference Room, 35 Oak Street, Brentwood
For the RBOC press release: click here