DWR Gets Another Failing Grade

Chico, CA: AquAlliance and a coalition filed a lawsuit in state court against the Department of Water Resources (DWR)) over their Environmental Impact Report’s (EIR) inadequate disclosure, avoidance of impacts, analysis, and mitigation for the proposed Twin Tunnels. The over 50,000-page EIR was certified by DWR on July 21, 2017.

“Californians aren’t doomed to repeat past destructive practices that have emptied the Owens Valley and caused the literal collapse of the San Joaquin Valley,” asserted Barbara Vlamis, AquAlliance’s Executive Director. “We are smart enough now to know that the Twin Tunnels would destroy California’s largest river’s watershed and valley, which is essential for the health of the entire state. “

To that end, some of the most significant CEQA allegations produced by AquAlliance in the lawsuit to stop the WaterFix include that the EIR:

• Failed to identify the source water that is intended to make up for flows diverted through the Twin Tunnels.
• Failed to disclose the over appropriation of water rights in the Sacramento River Watershed.
• Failed to disclose the existing conditions of Sacramento Valley groundwater.
• Failed to disclose and analyze the direct and indirect groundwater impacts to the AquAlliance Press Release Twin TunnelsSacramento Valley that would result from expanded north-to south, cross-Delta water transfers.

Click link to view the full press release: AquAlliance Press Release Twin Tunnels