Tower to Newsom: Delta Tunnel Not Cleared for Takeoff

We did it—thanks to your calls and our collective action, a dangerous attempt to fast-track the Delta Tunnel and gut environmental protections has been stopped… for now. 

Friends of the River and our allies showed up at the Capitol last week to urge lawmakers to reject Governor Newsom’s controversial budget riders, known as trailer bills, which would have rammed the Delta Tunnel and so-called “Voluntary Agreements” through the budget process with little public scrutiny. These bills would have allowed unlimited bond spending, stripped away critical environmental review, and weakened protections for the Bay-Delta ecosystem. They also would have added over $20 billion to the state’s debt—likely over $30 billion—with no cap, sticking future generations with the bill. And, the project will likely cause Southern California water ratepayers to see water bills spike by $60 or more. 

In a decisive 3-0 vote, the California Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy rejected the proposal and removed it from the budget process.

Your calls and advocacy made a real difference—and lawmakers heard you. Thank you! 

But the fight isn’t over. Like many bad water proposals, this one could come back from the dead during the remainder of the legislative session. We’re calling it what it is: a Zombie Tunnel threat. That means we need to stay vigilant all summer long. The Delta Tunnel isn’t just a bad fiscal idea—it’s a direct threat to family farms, Tribal cultural sites including sacred burial grounds, and California’s struggling commercial fishing communities. It would further unravel the fragile Bay-Delta ecosystem that so many people, cultures, and economies depend on. Friends of the River will be watching every corner of the Capitol for signs of resurrection, and we’ll keep you updated if it’s time to rise up again in opposition. For now, celebrate this win—and stay ready to jump back into action.