Bill Overview
Title: Stop Delta Tunnels Act
Description: This bill prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing a permit to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project in California. The California Department of Water Resources proposed this project, which involves constructing new State Water Project diversion and conveyance facilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The proposal includes an underground tunnel to deliver water south of the delta.
Sponsors: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in California dependent on water from the State Water Project
Estimated Size: 27000000
- The Delta Conveyance Project aims to construct tunnels for water conveyance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
- Approximately 27 million people in California rely on water from the State Water Project, which would intersect with this project.
- The project would have significant implications for water distribution across California, particularly affecting urban and agricultural areas.
- The environmental impacts of construction projects like the Delta Conveyance can affect fish and wildlife habitats in the Delta region.
- Agricultural communities in southern California depend heavily on water conveyed from the north.
- Consideration of indigenous tribes in the Delta that might be affected by changes in local ecosystems should be included.
- The Delta supports a significant amount of biodiversity, including endangered fish species.
Reasoning
- The Delta project primarily affects California, so sample interviews focus on this state.
- Estimate of 27 million impacted individuals guide reasoning.
- Policy would likely support environmental concerns while creating water distribution challenges.
- Interviews consider agricultural, urban, indigenous, and environmental groups in California.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stopping the tunnel project means less reliable water supply for my crops.
- I'm worried about fulfilling water needs during droughts without new infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
Environmental Scientist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Halting the project could protect crucial ecosystems and endangered species in the Delta.
- Preserving biodiversity is crucial, and this project could threaten it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Water Policy Analyst (Bakersfield, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stopping the project could exacerbate water scarcity issues in Southern California.
- There's a need to balance water distribution with environmental sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Tech Industry Employee (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support environmental initiatives, and stopping the project seems beneficial for local ecosystems.
- However, water accessibility should not be compromised for urban areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Indigenous Community Leader (Delta Region, CA)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The tunnel project could endanger native ecosystems and indigenous lands.
- Stopping it respects our rights and preserves wildlife.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Agricultural Worker (Fresno, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Water stability is key for my job security and livelihood.
- Stopping the project might risk consistent water supply for agriculture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Retired (Stockton, CA)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Halting the project is beneficial for the delta’s biodiversity.
- I'm concerned about the broader implications for local ecosystems and community impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Elementary School Teacher (Ventura, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stopping the Delta project aligns with our educational mission for sustainability.
- Long-term environmental benefits take precedence over short-term water distribution solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Urban Planner (San Diego, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about water shortages affecting San Diego without new conveyance systems.
- We need innovative ways to manage water resources sustainably.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
College Student (Oakland, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support halting the project due to potential environmental damage.
- As a student, I'm concerned about the future ecosystem impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Stopping the Delta Conveyance Project might lead to significant political and environmental discussions, especially regarding water security in California.
- The cancellation can impact agricultural stakeholders and urban developments dependent on water from the State Water Project.
- Environmental impacts might include both beneficial conservation effects and negative impacts due to reduced water availability for existing programs.