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Board authorizes up to $1.86 million for county’s share of Delta Conveyance pre‑construction work
Summary
San Luis Obispo County approved committing up to $1,860,000 to the California Department of Water Resources for the county’s share of planning and preconstruction for the Delta Conveyance Project; public commenters from environmental groups urged the board to wait for updated Bay‑Delta plan outcomes.
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted to commit up to $1,860,000 to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the county Flood Control and Water Conservation District’s share of Delta Conveyance Project planning and preconstruction work in calendar years 2026 and 2027.
Public Works staff explained the county is one of 24 State Water Project contractors that would benefit from a Delta Conveyance facility intended to increase conveyance flexibility and reduce seismic and operational risk at the south Delta export facilities. Staff said DWR’s 2024 update estimated the project cost at about $20.1 billion and that, had the facility been in place for the conditions in 2024, DWR estimates an additional roughly 941,000 acre‑feet of capture statewide — an estimated local gain of about 5,000 acre‑feet for the county under current allocation formulas. Nola Ingleskirger, the county’s water utilities division manager, and Wes Thompson of the county’s water supply team briefed the board on the project history, permitting progress, and DWR’s “benefit‑cost” analysis.
Members of the public objected. Gianna Patchin, coordinator for the Santa Lucia chapter of the Sierra Club, urged the board to deny funding. She cited potential environmental impacts to Delta ecosystems, tribal concerns, uncertainties in the project’s ultimate cost, and recommended waiting for the Bay‑Delta water quality control plan update that regulators expected later in 2025.
County staff said the county could fund the $1.86 million commitment from revenues received in 2024 from an authorized state water transfer. Under the district’s contractual arrangement with DWR, the county’s planning contribution would either be repaid or credited against future assessments if the project moves into construction; if the project does not proceed, those planning funds would not be recoverable, staff warned.
After questions from supervisors, Supervisor Gibson moved to approve staff recommendations; Supervisor Balding seconded. The motion passed on a recorded vote of the supervisors present.
