Calif. Department Of Water Resources Gives Green Light To Twin Tunnels Project

California's plan to build a pair of massive tunnels to move Sacramento River water past the Delta and into the state's water distribution system, reached a milestone Friday.

The Department of Water Resources says after a decade of planning, it has certified the environmental analysis for the plan - officially called the California Water Fix.

This gives the project the "go ahead".

DWR's Michelle Banonis says fears that the tunnels will divert too much water from the Delta's ecosystem are unfounded.

"We will not be draining the delta," says Banonis. "As a matter of fact, there are operational criteria associated with the project that ensure a minimum bypass flow criteria at certain times of the year."

Banonis says, if water levels drop too low, the Department will shut off flows to the state water project.

Restore The Delta, a group working to stop the tunnels, says the project is flawed and will not provide a reliable water source.

The group says the project will rack up debt that could take up to 75 years to pay back.