CPOD Hearing Highlights – April 8, 2025

Today, the Panel 5 witnesses presented the many ways that input from community and interest groups helped project engineers refine designs to avoid or minimize potential impacts. The panel also provided information about noise modeling, thresholds, and mitigation measures.

Expert witnesses for Panel 5 are Adam Murdock, Jason Volk, and Gwen Buchholz.

Key Takeaways-Engineering Design Refinements

Hearing Highlights

April 3, 2025

Documents & Resources

Delta Conveyance Project CPOD information on the State Water Board’s website
Watch the hearing on the State Water Board Administrative Hearing Office’s YouTube Channel
Request Access to Hearing Exhibits
To access all of the hearing exhibits through the AHO-FTP download folder, please submit an e-mail request to the AHO at AdminHrgOffice@Waterboards.ca.gov with “Request for AHO ftp password” in the State Water Resources Control Board subject line. After receiving the e-mail request, the AHO will send a reply e-mail with a password to access the download account. It is not necessary to include any other parties in the cc line for such an e-mail request.

DWR made a significant and concerted effort to address local community concerns.
A Stakeholder Engagement Committee (SEC) was convened by the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority to obtain input about ways to use the engineering design process to avoid or minimize potential project impacts to all communities.
Although SEC members were opposed to the project, the process generated valuable input used by project engineers to refine project designs in ways meant to avoid and minimize potential project impacts to all communities.
Project refinements led to changes to avoid and minimize local project effects on noise, air quality, traffic, power, recreation and existing land uses.
A robust Community Benefits Program (distinct from regulatory mitigation and Ombudsman Program) sets aside $200 million to develop local projects that provide tangible, lasting, and valuable economic and social benefits to the residents, businesses, and organizations affected by the Delta Conveyance Project.

Key Takeaways-Noise

The sound level limits from Delta Conveyance Project construction and operations are reasonable as compared to existing ambient sound levels in the Delta and sound levels in everyday life.
Mitigation measures to reduce and avoid noise impacts are reasonable and appropriate. Examples:
- Sound level monitoring to address concerns about construction noise
- An ombudsman to respond to noise complaints
- Sound insulation building improvements for impacted residences
- Field investigations of pile driving equipment to evaluate noise levels and noise reduction measures
DWR is not relying on local exemptions for construction noise criteria and instead chose to set a conservative limit for operations as well as temporary construction that is protective of environmental interests, the project’s surroundings and the population that lives and works in the Delta.
While in operation, the Delta Conveyance Project will be consistent with local noise standards in the jurisdictions where different components of the project are located.
A major focus of the project’s design feature refinements was the reduction of noise impacts during construction and operations.

Expert Witness Biographies

Adam Murdock is the Environmental Design Manager for the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA). He is responsible for the development of preliminary design information for DWR to prepare the environmental documentation and permit applications for the project.
- Mr. Murdock holds a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Utah State University
- Registered Civil Engineer in the states of California, Texas and Utah
- 25 years of experience working on the design and construction management of large conveyance and storage infrastructure projects
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Jason Volk led the evaluation of construction and operational scenarios for the various Delta Conveyance Project alternatives analyzed in the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement, including developing a noise monitoring study, conducting noise and vibration analysis and quantitative modeling in addition to developing environmental commitments and mitigation measures.
- Mr. Volk holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University
- Professional affiliations with the Institute of Noise Control Engineering and Transportation Research Board
- Extensive experience managing and conducting environmental noise and vibration studies for infrastructure and transportation projects, including preparation of National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act documentation
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Gwen Buchholz is the environmental liaison for the Delta Conveyance Project. She leads coordination between the engineering, environmental and regulatory teams that prepared the conceptual engineering and environmental documentation for the project.
- Ms. Buchholz holds a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from California State University, Sacramento
- Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California
- Extensive experience leading environmental planning and documentation for statewide and Delta water resources projects, including California WaterFix, Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Long Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, Delta Plan and CVP Improvement Act. Additionally, led the design and construction efforts for several regional water projects, including agency and consultant coordination, and community engagement.