In a recent executive order, President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed their desire to increase water storage and delivery projects in the state. However, the main obstacle for these projects remains the high costs associated with them. This was highlighted by the failure of two major storage projects, including the recent collapse of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion proposal.
While the State Water Contractors have welcomed the executive order, environmental and fishing groups have strongly opposed it. They also raised concerns about the potential for raising Shasta Dam, which could have negative impacts on endangered species. On the other hand, the State Water Contractors have pointed out the improvements made in pumping operations and the need for more support for the Delta Conveyance Project and repairing canals.
Governor Newsom has shown support for the single tunnel project and the Sites Reservoir proposal, but has drawn a line at raising Shasta Dam. He has also set a goal to increase storage capacity by 4 million acre-feet in 2022. Sites Reservoir is among the projects in line for funding from the $2.7 billion Proposition 1 water bond, but the California Water Commission is reassessing the allocations after the collapse of the Los Vaqueros project.
The collapse of the Los Vaqueros expansion project serves as a cautionary tale for the steep financial and regulatory hurdles faced by these projects. It also puts a spotlight on the remaining projects, including Sites Reservoir, which has yet to break ground.
The Los Vaqueros project, which aimed to increase the reservoir’s storage capacity, faced several challenges, including inflation, permitting delays, and land acquisitions. The estimated cost for the project increased from $980 million to $1.6 billion, leading to the withdrawal of the Contra Costa Water District from the project and the dissolution of the joint powers authority.
The collapse of the Los Vaqueros project is the second major project to fail under the Newsom administration, after the Temperance Flat Reservoir proposal. The California Water Commission has since redistributed the funds for these projects to others, including Sites Reservoir.
The Sites Reservoir project, which aims to provide water for Central Valley wildlife refuges, has faced its own set of challenges and delays. However, it has recently made significant progress, completing an environmental review and receiving a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project is expected to start construction within the next 18 months.
Despite the setbacks and challenges faced by water storage projects in California, stakeholders stress the importance of building large water projects to ensure a reliable future for the state. While lessons can be learned from the failure of the Los Vaqueros project, the lasting legacy of this project is the need for more investment in water infrastructure in California.
Based on information from the original article: https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/22275-trump-and-newsom-want-water-projects-but-costs-remain-the-greatest-obstacle