Sponsors (5)
The bill prevents federal wetland‑filling authorization for the Delta Conveyance Project—protecting aquatic habitats and respecting state/local opposition—but likely delays or blocks a major water infrastructure project, shifts permitting fights to state venues, and could raise costs for ratepayers and taxpayers.
Rural and urban communities face reduced risk of large-scale alteration to protected aquatic habitats because the bill blocks federal dredge-and-fill approvals for the Delta Conveyance Project.
State and local governments opposed to the Delta Conveyance Project avoid issuance of federal CWA §404 wetland‑filling permits they oppose, preserving local control over whether the project proceeds with federal authorization.
Water agencies, utilities, and the customers they serve (including middle‑class families) cannot obtain federal §404 permits for the Delta Conveyance Project, likely delaying or effectively halting construction and potential water supply improvements.
Taxpayers and ratepayers may face higher costs if halting this project forces reliance on more expensive alternative water projects or emergency measures to meet water needs.
Permitting and litigation are shifted into state courts or state administrative processes, increasing legal uncertainty and administrative burden for state governments, project proponents, and utilities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing any Clean Water Act section 404 permit that would authorize the Delta Conveyance Project as described in the Corps’ December 2022 draft environmental impact statement. The bill also establishes a short title for the Act. The practical effect is to block the Corps from granting the key federal wetlands/fill permit needed for the project as described in that specific Corps document, which would likely halt or delay project construction unless other permitting paths are available.
Bars the Army Corps from issuing Clean Water Act §404 permits for the Delta Conveyance Project as described in the Corps' December 2022 draft EIS.
Introduced February 13, 2025 by Josh Harder · Last progress February 13, 2025