By Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors
The State Water Project, a cornerstone of California’s water delivery system, runs on 1960s-era infrastructure. This aging system is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, seismic risks and environmental challenges. Modernizing it with the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is essential to ensure sustainable and reliable access to the water that powers our state’s communities, farms and industries.
That’s why recent attempts to delay progress on the DCP before the Delta Stewardship Council are not just frustrating — they’re harmful.
DCP opponents argue that conducting geotechnical investigations necessary to inform the engineering and design of the DCP is currently inconsistent with the Delta Plan — the long-term plan that guides the management of the Delta’s water supply and environmental resources. This claim simply doesn’t hold water and fundamentally misrepresents the nature and purpose of geotechnical work.
The geotechnical investigations do not represent implementation of the DCP, but rather exploratory activities designed to gather the data necessary to further refine engineering and design as well as to inform future approvals and funding decisions on the project.
Moreover, these activities align directly with the Delta Plan’s core policies, which prioritize the use of the best available science and adaptive management strategies. By gathering detailed, site-specific data, DWR is taking a responsible, science-driven approach to planning — a hallmark of Delta Plan compliance.
It’s worth noting that the need for further geotechnical activities was disclosed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified in December 2023. These activities are neither new nor unexpected; they are a continuation of work that has been underway for years.
The appeals posed before the Delta Stewardship Council are thinly veiled delay tactics designed to slow progress, drain resources and distract from the pressing need to modernize California’s water infrastructure.
Each delay in advancing this critical project increases the risks to our water security and costs water ratepayers over $1 million a day. Californians deserve solutions, not endless litigation and obstruction.
The DCP represents a forward-thinking investment in California’s future.
Opponents may continue to argue otherwise, but the facts are clear: the DCP is the right solution at the right time, and delaying its progress only puts our water security at risk and makes climate adaptation more expensive. It’s time to focus on the real work at hand — building a sustainable water future for California.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maven’s Notebook.
More coverage on Maven’s Notebook …
Posted: October 16, 2026
The Delta Stewardship Council previously rejected several appeals, but left the door open for review of an invasive species and a concurrent water project. By Alan Riquelmy, Courthouse News Service Groups opposed to California’s Delta Conveyance Project had a second chance Thursday to argue why the massive water project fails to meet essential criteria and should return to the state water department for further workshopping. The Delta Stewardship Council heard appeals to a certificate of consistency for the massive water […]
Posted: September 15, 2026
The Delta Stewardship Council will hold a public hearing on October 15, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m., to consider appeals concerning the California Department of Water Resources’ revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for items remanded in connection with the Delta Conveyance Project (C20262). Background The Delta Conveyance Project is proposed by the California Department of Water Resources and would involve the construction, operation, and maintenance of new State Water Project water-diversion and conveyance facilities in the Delta. […]
Posted: August 26, 2026
From the Delta Stewardship Council: The following parties have appealed the California Department of Water Resources’ Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan on Remanded Items (C20262), which was submitted to the Delta Stewardship Council on July 24, 2026. C20262-A1 – Sacramento Area Sewer District C20262-A2 – Twin Cities Group (Frank Loretz, Duane Martin, Kevin Young, David Schultz) C20262-A3 – County of San Joaquin, County of Solano, County of Yolo, Central Delta Water Agency, and Local Agencies of the North […]
Posted: July 25, 2026
From the Department of Water Resources: DWR submitted the Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan on Remanded Items on July 24, 2026. The Council’s determination on April 23, 2026, dismissed or denied the vast majority of appeals. For two policy areas, the Council directed a limited remand to DWR. Remands are a standard part of the Delta Reform Act’s Certification of Consistency and appeals process and provide an opportunity to supplement or clarify portions of the record to […]
Posted: July 15, 2026
From the Department of Water Resources: This notice serves to inform all interested parties that the California Department of Water Resources intends to submit to the Delta Stewardship Council the Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency on Remanded Items. The Council’s determination on April 23, 2026, dismissed or denied the vast majority of appeals. For two policy areas, the Council directed a limited remand to DWR. Remands are a standard part of the Delta Reform Act’s Certification of Consistency […]
COMMENTARY: Delaying the Delta Conveyance Project puts California’s water security at risk
By Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors
That’s why recent attempts to delay progress on the DCP before the Delta Stewardship Council are not just frustrating — they’re harmful.
DCP opponents argue that conducting geotechnical investigations necessary to inform the engineering and design of the DCP is currently inconsistent with the Delta Plan — the long-term plan that guides the management of the Delta’s water supply and environmental resources. This claim simply doesn’t hold water and fundamentally misrepresents the nature and purpose of geotechnical work.
The geotechnical investigations do not represent implementation of the DCP, but rather exploratory activities designed to gather the data necessary to further refine engineering and design as well as to inform future approvals and funding decisions on the project.
Moreover, these activities align directly with the Delta Plan’s core policies, which prioritize the use of the best available science and adaptive management strategies. By gathering detailed, site-specific data, DWR is taking a responsible, science-driven approach to planning — a hallmark of Delta Plan compliance.
It’s worth noting that the need for further geotechnical activities was disclosed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified in December 2023. These activities are neither new nor unexpected; they are a continuation of work that has been underway for years.
The appeals posed before the Delta Stewardship Council are thinly veiled delay tactics designed to slow progress, drain resources and distract from the pressing need to modernize California’s water infrastructure.
Each delay in advancing this critical project increases the risks to our water security and costs water ratepayers over $1 million a day. Californians deserve solutions, not endless litigation and obstruction.
The DCP represents a forward-thinking investment in California’s future.
Opponents may continue to argue otherwise, but the facts are clear: the DCP is the right solution at the right time, and delaying its progress only puts our water security at risk and makes climate adaptation more expensive. It’s time to focus on the real work at hand — building a sustainable water future for California.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maven’s Notebook.
More coverage on Maven’s Notebook …
COURTHOUSE NEWS: California Delta tunnel opponents renew fight to rework massive water project
The Delta Stewardship Council previously rejected several appeals, but left the door open for review of an invasive species and a concurrent water project. By Alan Riquelmy, Courthouse News Service Groups opposed to California’s Delta Conveyance Project had a second chance Thursday to argue why the massive water project fails to meet essential criteria and should return to the state water department for further workshopping. The Delta Stewardship Council heard appeals to a certificate of consistency for the massive water […]
DELTA COUNCIL: Public hearing set on revised Delta Conveyance Project certification
The Delta Stewardship Council will hold a public hearing on October 15, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m., to consider appeals concerning the California Department of Water Resources’ revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for items remanded in connection with the Delta Conveyance Project (C20262). Background The Delta Conveyance Project is proposed by the California Department of Water Resources and would involve the construction, operation, and maintenance of new State Water Project water-diversion and conveyance facilities in the Delta. […]
DELTA COUNCIL: Appeals filed for the Delta Conveyance Project revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan on remanded items
From the Delta Stewardship Council: The following parties have appealed the California Department of Water Resources’ Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan on Remanded Items (C20262), which was submitted to the Delta Stewardship Council on July 24, 2026. C20262-A1 – Sacramento Area Sewer District C20262-A2 – Twin Cities Group (Frank Loretz, Duane Martin, Kevin Young, David Schultz) C20262-A3 – County of San Joaquin, County of Solano, County of Yolo, Central Delta Water Agency, and Local Agencies of the North […]
DWR Submits the Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency on Remanded Items
From the Department of Water Resources: DWR submitted the Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan on Remanded Items on July 24, 2026. The Council’s determination on April 23, 2026, dismissed or denied the vast majority of appeals. For two policy areas, the Council directed a limited remand to DWR. Remands are a standard part of the Delta Reform Act’s Certification of Consistency and appeals process and provide an opportunity to supplement or clarify portions of the record to […]
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Notice of intent to submit Delta Conveyance Project revised certification of consistency with the Delta Plan on remanded items
From the Department of Water Resources: This notice serves to inform all interested parties that the California Department of Water Resources intends to submit to the Delta Stewardship Council the Delta Conveyance Project Revised Certification of Consistency on Remanded Items. The Council’s determination on April 23, 2026, dismissed or denied the vast majority of appeals. For two policy areas, the Council directed a limited remand to DWR. Remands are a standard part of the Delta Reform Act’s Certification of Consistency […]
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