THE BUZZ: WATER WARS — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s effort to build a mega tunnel to send water from Northern California to Southern California faces the same obstacle that doomed past governors’ efforts: deep distrust from residents of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The governor has, in recent days, reaffirmed his support for a 45-mile underground tunnel that would move water under the Delta south into the system that provides water to 27 million residents. His stance has reignited opposition from Delta residents, environmentalists, the fishing industry and tribal communities. One of Newsom’s sharpest critics on the issue has been Rep. Josh Harder, a Democrat who represents much of the inland estuary. He told Playbook that the project embodies a decades-old resentment about Sacramento politicians putting the needs of SoCal ahead of one of the state’s poorest regions. Harder, who flipped a red House seat blue in 2018, said emotions about the Delta tunnel and neglect of the region could cripple Democrats’ efforts to win and hold seats in the Central Valley. “That tendency makes it really hard to then campaign in an area where folks feel like second-class citizens,” Harder said. “This is a very simple project. It steals from Peter to pay Paul.” Newsom’s administration had hoped to ease opposition to the project by scaling it back — from two tunnels under former Gov. Jerry Brown to one tunnel — and rerouting it away from wetlands and closer to Interstate 5. But those efforts have fallen flat with many opponents. Harder said he will use any means to block the project, including by carrying legislation to prevent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from issuing permits. He scolded Newsom and the state for aiming to send water “down south so Beverly Hills can have green lawns.” The governor argues the project is a necessary response to climate change, allowing the state to more easily save water as it faces more severe whiplashes of drought and flooding. “Doing nothing is not an option,” he said last week. It would also shore up a crumbling network of levees and canals that send water south, a system that’s vulnerable to failing during a major earthquake, his office said. Newsom’s plan is environmentally sound and would benefit the “vast majority of residents” as extreme weather destabilizes their water supply, said Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, which represents water agencies. “Californians no longer want every drought to be an emergency,” she said. Newsom’s administration will likely have a tough time getting buy-in from Delta communities that are already struggling with intruding saltwater from the San Francisco Bay and toxic algae blooms, which have damaged the farming and fishing industries. Newsom can start building that trust by offering protections to ensure river flows won’t be harmed — and assurances that Delta communities will have recourse if those agreements aren’t upheld, said Felicia Marcus, the former chair of the state Water Resources Board and one of former Gov. Brown’s right-hand advisers on water. “In the Delta, they feel oppressed by everyone,” she said. “There’s this sense that the ‘big guys are going to take it away from us.’” Officials at the Department of Water Resources said the state will be required to uphold water-quality standards if the tunnel is built. They said the tunnel is designed to capture water north of the Delta during wet years, not replace the state’s existing system to transport water south. “The angst of it will always be there, and I want to be very respectful of that,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “But I also believe that this project has done enormous work and has put a lot more details on the drawing board.” — with help from Camille von Kaenel GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. And thanks to everyone who joined us for trivia in Sacramento last night! Scroll down for more on the winners… PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — What other climate issues are you monitoring in 2024? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte WHERE’S GAVIN? In New York City to film an appearance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” TRIVIA CHAMPS — Our second POLITICO California trivia night was a smashing success. Thanks to all who came out for a night of festive fun at Fox & Goose. Stay tuned for more events in 2024! THE WINNERS — Team Green, featuring Anthony Matthews, Harry Ermoian, Alexander Soto, Brian Ebbert and Tony Gonzalez, took home the grand prize.
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