LOS ANGELES — A crucial step has been taken by a Southern California water authority as it has approved significant funding aimed at facilitating the development of a large underground tunnel intended to redirect a major portion of the state’s water resources.
On Tuesday, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supplies water to approximately 19 million residents alongside various local agencies, decided to allocate around $142 million for the preliminary construction and planning endeavors associated with the Delta Conveyance Project. State representatives have emphasized that this initiative is vital for bolstering water supply reliability in the state’s most densely populated areas amidst climate-induced changes and aging infrastructure.
Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. stated, “After careful consideration, our board took this step because it allows us to gather critical information about the project’s benefits and costs that will allow us to evaluate whether we will participate in the full construction of the project.” This organization stands as the largest among a dozen water agencies that have committed to supporting the planning and preconstruction phases of the proposed 45-mile (72-kilometer) tunnel, with a pivotal vote anticipated in 2027 regarding its progression.
Governor Gavin Newsom is actively promoting continued financial support from water agencies, dubbing this initiative as “the most important climate adaptation project” in the nation. Earlier this week, he declared, “Nothing else comes close because nothing is more important. Because this impacts 27 million Californians.”
California officials highlight the necessity of constructing the tunnel due to concerns over the dependability of current water infrastructure. They argue that the project would enable more effective water capture during severe storms and facilitate transfer from the north, where water is abundant, to the southern regions which house the majority of the state’s population. However, detractors point to the project’s substantial $20 billion cost, suggesting that alternative methods could be employed to fortify the state’s water resources with less detrimental effects on the delicate Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem.
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta, criticized the initiative, claiming it would divert an excessive amount of water to agricultural entities that should be reducing their water consumption in light of California’s potentially dryer climate future. The state is a leading producer of the nation’s fresh produce.
“There are certain elements that just want to build things for the sake of building things rather than doing the analysis of building the right things,” she commented.
The proposed tunnel has faced opposition for many years, drawing significant criticism from Central Valley communities who fear it could negatively impact their local economies and the delta itself. Although a critical environmental review was completed last year for the project, it still requires further assessment and various state and federal permits to proceed.
