[4] On August 28, 2014 the United States Environmental Protection Agency commented that the plan could violate the Clean Water Act and harm endangered fish species.
[7] As of 2016[update], a new concept that tries to accomplish the same purpose is under consideration in the form of two massive tunnels to be constructed as part of the $25 billion California Water Fix and Eco Restore project.
[8] Governor Jerry Brown strongly advocated for the project, but it was mired in controversy due to problems financing it and environmental concerns.
Since then, various groups have lobbied for the construction of a Peripheral Canal to instead draw water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers to the federal aqueducts.
[9] Because of drought and other low flow issues that cause salty ocean water to flow from pumping stations which are located at the southern edge of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta into the aqueducts of both the state (California Aqueduct) and federal government (Delta-Mendota Canal), aquatic environments as well as water for drinking and irrigation are contaminated.