Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  • State Government
  •  

Feds Say Delta Tunnels Won't Push Fish To Extinction

  •  Amy Quinton 
Monday, June 26, 2017 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Photo / Curtis Jerome Haynes

Harvey O Banks Pumping Plant near Tracy, part of the State Water Project.

Photo / Curtis Jerome Haynes

Two US wildlife agencies have given their environmental stamp of approval to the nearly $16 billion plan to build two 35-mile-long tunnels in the West Coast's largest estuary.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released environmental documents that show the project likely will not jeopardize endangered fish and wildlife.

An earlier environmental review raised concerns. Since then, state and federal officials have made changes designed to help threatened species like the Delta smelt and Chinook salmon. 

“They have agreed to restore about 1,800 acres of habitat in the Delta that we believe is going to be extraordinarily important for Delta smelt and other fisheries as well as wildlife," says Paul Souza with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Supporters of the project say the current water pumping stations in the South Delta are killing fish and not providing a reliable water supply to Central Valley farmers and millions of Southern California residents. The pumping facilities, near Tracy, can reverse the estuary's flow and cause migrating fish to stray off course. The tunnel project would instead pull water from the Sacramento River in the north Delta near Courtland and carry it south.

“This is another milestone, a significant milestone. It really was the last major pre-requisite to completing the environmental review process,” says Jeff Kightlinger with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supports the project.

Opponents of the project, including many Delta residents, farmers and environmental groups, were quick to denounce the determination. 

“Of course we’re disappointed, but we knew that the process was going to come to a head, and we’re going to organize ourselves and we will take this up in court,” says Barbara Barrigan-Parilla with Restore the Delta.

A series of approvals from state and federal agencies are still needed before the project can move forward.

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Department of Water Resources

    Officials In California's North Sue Over Giant Water Project

    Friday, August 18, 2017
    (AP) - Northern California cities and counties are going to court to block what could be the state's costliest water project in history.
  • Calif. Department Of Water Resources Gives Green Light To Twin Tunnels Project

    Friday, July 21, 2017
    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.

 delta tunnelsCalifornia WaterFixwater supplyfishfish and wildlifeNOAASacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Amy Quinton

Former Environment Reporter

Amy came to Sacramento from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) where she was Environment Reporter. Amy has also reported for NPR member stations WFAE in Charlotte, WAMU in Washington D.C. and American Public Media's "Marketplace."  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

A salty dispute: California Coastal Commission unanimously rejects desalination plant

May 14, 2022

Michael A. Mariant / AP Photo

Five things to know about nuclear power in California

May 14, 2022

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you

May 16, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.