Federal Agencies Greenlight Delta Tunnel Construction, But Not Operation

Federal wildlife agencies have issued permits for the construction of the Delta tunnel, a 45-mile extension to the State Water Project, but not for its long-term operation. The project aims to divert water beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to serve millions of Californians and farmland.

- Construction permits include conditions to protect 17 endangered species, from fish to amphibians. - Environmental groups criticize the separation of construction from operation, arguing water diversions could drive species to extinction.

- The tunnel still requires an operating permit from the State Water Resources Control Board, with hearings ongoing. The decision advances the project but leaves critical operational impacts unaddressed, sparking debate over water supply versus ecosystem health.