California Delta Tunnels Don't Stand Up to Federal Analysis

Federal agencies think the proposed Bay Delta tunnels are still too dangerous for endangered species.

1 minute read

May 25, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Sacramento - San Joaquin River Delta

Jeffrey T. Kreulen / Shutterstock

Initial studies from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service do not project confidence in Governor Brown's signature water infrastructure proposal.

The California WaterFix project is a proposed overhaul of the state's water conveyance system, consisting of two large tunnels beneath the California Delta. An ongoing concern has been how tunnel operations might strain the regional ecosystem, particularly endangered species of salmon and smelt. The proposal has already been scaled back in an effort to reduce its environmental impact.

In late 2016, the state Department of Water Resources released a biological assessment concluding that the plan "minimized" potential harm to endangered species. 

The federal analyses released in March differed, finding that up to 7 percent of an endangered fish population could be killed by tunnel operations. Moreover, they suggested that the conservation measures proposed in the plan—restoring 15,000 acres of habitat—would not be sufficient to offset the damage.

In the Sacramento Bee, officials noted to Matt Weiser that the draft reports are not yet complete, and the tunnel proposal itself is still being revised.

Sunday, May 7, 2017 in The Sacramento Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight