For Immediate Release

Today, the Department of Water Resources released the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Delta Conveyance Project. This project would route water past the Delta to the Central Valley and Southern California in order to benefit big agribusiness and other powerful water interests like the Metropolitan Water District. 

In response, Food & Water Watch’s California Director Chirag Bhakta issued the following statement:

“The Delta Conveyance project is going to cost everyday Californians billions while mainly benefitting corporate agribusinesses and other powerful interests – it is the wrong strategy to address our state’s water crisis.

“Rather than building the expensive, destructive, and unnecessary Tunnel, Governor Newsom and the Department of Water Resources should rein in the water abuses by big agribusiness and fossil fuel corporations.

“Between 2017 and 2021, for example, the water used for tree nut acres increased by as much as could cover the indoor use over 85% of all Californians. Meanwhile, large almond titans make huge profits exporting these products – and our water – overseas. Oil corporations continue to apply for and are granted permits, despite their dirty product driving the climate and water crisis. 

“Pouring billions of dollars into the Delta Tunnel won’t help our long term water situation and will also have a negative impact on the vital local wildlife habitat and further degrade the Delta’s water quality.”

Press Contact: Madeline Bove [email protected]