Stop the Delta Tunnel Act
H.R. 1311, titled the Stop the Delta Tunnel Act, would block federal permission for a large California water project. Specifically, it prohibits the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers’ Chief of Engineers, from issuing a Section 404 permit under the Clean Water Act for the Delta Conveyance Project as described in the Corps’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) published December 2022. In short, if enacted, the bill would prevent the federal government from granting the permit needed to proceed with that project, and it would halt any federal authorization tied to that particular environmental review document. The bill is currently introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It lists several California representatives as sponsors, signaling broad opposition to the Delta Conveyance Project within that delegation.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act may be cited as the “Stop the Delta Tunnel Act.”
- 2Prohibition: Prohibits the Secretary of the Army, via the Chief of Engineers, from issuing a Section 404 permit under the Clean Water Act for the Delta Conveyance Project described in the Corps’ December 2022 Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
- 3Scope of permit banned: The prohibition applies specifically to the Delta Conveyance Project as described in the 2022 DEIS.
- 4Legal tool affected: Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which governs the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and is a key Federal permission required for many large construction projects.
- 5Official authority named: The Army Corps of Engineers (through the Chief of Engineers) would be barred from issuing the permit.
- 6Legislative status: Introduced in the House on February 13, 2025; referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; sponsor list includes several California representatives.