California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
Governor Newsom’s $20 Billion Delta tunnel project received a boost from Kern County farmers after a vote by the Kern County Water Agency (Agency) to approve funding for the planning and design of the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP).
The decision was made during a March 27 board meeting and approves the expenditure of $32.6 million which is the Agency’s share of $300 million for this phase of the project.
“This decision reflects our commitment to securing long-term water reliability. As climate challenges intensify, investing in the DCP ensures we have the infrastructure needed to adapt and protect this critical resource,” said Eric Averett, President of the Kern County Water Agency Board of Directors. “This is a difficult decision considering the long-term costs for the project are becoming increasingly more difficult to afford. We are looking to Agency staff, in consultation with local Member Units and in coordination with state and local government to reduce the cost burden of the DCP on Kern County water users.”
Kern County is the second largest contractor on the State Water Project (SWP), making its continued funding of the tunnel critical. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the largest SWP contractor, already committed to $144 million of that.
“The Delta Conveyance Project is essential for delivering State Water Project water, safeguarding future supply and demonstrating a commitment to resilient, modern infrastructure,” said Martin Milobar, Director of the Kern County Water Agency Board of Directors and President of the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority Board of Directors.
California’s Department of Water Resources, which operates the SWP, estimates the project to begin construction as early as 2029.
