Natural History Wanderings

I initially did not pay a lot of attention to the news about the Delta Tunnels. The proposed  tunnels would be built to divert water from the Sacramento River to aqueducts south of the Delta.

As I started reading about the proposed tunnels, I learned they pose a serious threat to the Sandhill Cranes and other birds at Staten Island. Construction of the tunnels would likely create significant disturbance to the birds and damage to the habitat.

Staten Island is a critical habitat for sandhill cranes as it is somewhat isolated. Sandhill cranes are sensitive to noise, lights and human activity. Cranes often return to the same areas every year. The tunnel construction project would take ten years and create significant disturbance and construction noise. Threats would also include the dangers posed by temporary power lines and loss of foraging habitat due to soil displaced by tunnel construction being temporarily stored on Staten Island.

To learn more about the issue here are several informative articles about the proposed Delta tunnels and the threat they pose to Staten Island.

ICF Research Informs Water Development in California | What’s New International Crane Foundation.

Viewpoints: Why I’m still confused about the proposed tunnels in the Delta – Viewpoints – The Sacramento Bee.

Delta conservation plan is only a piecemeal solution – Los Angeles Times.

The Public Eye: Water plan may shift Delta tunnels – Delta – The Sacramento Bee.

New water tunnel route sets up conservation battle over Delta island – Environment – The Sacramento Bee.

ICF Research Informs Water Development in California | What’s New International Crane Foundation.

Related articles

• Bird Watchers Fear Delta Tunnel Project Could Frighten Sandhill Cranes (sacramento.cbslocal.com)