As California Governor Gavin Newsom moves forward with his $20 billion Delta Conveyance Project, residents of the tiny Sacramento County town of Hood worry the massive infrastructure effort could irreversibly alter — or even tear apart — their close-knit community.

The proposed water tunnel, aimed at modernizing California’s water delivery system, will divert water from the Sacramento River through a 45-mile underground tunnel to Southern California and Central Valley farms. In Newsom’s recent budget proposal, funding for the project was fast-tracked with the goal of overcoming delays and streamlining construction.

But in Hood, a town of fewer than 300 residents, that vision feels more like a threat than a promise.

“Typical small town. Everybody knows everybody,” said Mayor Mario Moreno, standing on the street corner that constitutes the heart of downtown. The sign at the edge of town claims a population of 313, but Moreno acknowledges it’s outdated. “I don’t really know anybody who's for the proposed project,” he said.

The reason? Hood is ground zero for the tunnel. Giant intakes will be constructed both above and below the town, and residents are bracing for years of disruptive construction and potentially permanent damage to their landscape and way of life.

The tunnel itself would be 36 feet wide and bored 100 feet underground — a feat that Governor Newsom has called transformative. “One of the most important projects in the United States of America,” Newsom told reporters. “One of the most important climate adaptation projects in this country. We have got to move that project forward and learn the lessons from high-speed rail.”

But residents in Hood fear those “lessons” might be ignored. Citing other state megaprojects that ran over budget and behind schedule, Moreno said, “They said 10 years, eight years, 10 years. But we know by state government stuff that they’ve built — whether it’s the proposed high-speed rail or the East Bay span — rebuilding takes way longer than they anticipated.”

For many locals, the concern goes beyond inconvenience. It’s about losing the peace, beauty, and cultural fabric of the place they call home.

“Having these giant tunnels right in our backyard is going to take the landscape away,” said Shawn Morales. “I mean, who wants that? This is not a city. This is the country, and country should remain how it is, you know?”

Charles Rice, another resident, stood next to the Sacramento River and spoke about its spiritual and natural significance. “It just takes something away from you that’s real, real big. That’s pretty mighty,” he said. “It is. It’s pretty majestic for all of us. When it rains, it talks. When it thunders, it talks. When the water gets high, we kind of enjoy a little bit of how it all works out here. And so they’re going to come along and put some screws to it, you know?”

In an official press release, Newsom reinforced his urgency, stating in bold letters: “We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.” The governor’s plan includes reducing permitting hurdles, limiting public protests and legal actions, and expanding the state's ability to acquire land.

But in Hood, such language feels like a direct threat.

“Now, if they’re going to put their big thumb on it and say, this is the deal and you have to accept it — it leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” said Aaron Pruitt, who operates a thrift store and antique shop in town with his son, Mason.

“All this will be destroyed by the hands of those who want to destroy the laws that bind and protect us in our Delta,” Mason added. “It’s truly sad because a lot of people from my generation that are going to feel the effects.”

Residents are also frustrated by what they see as a lack of benefit for their town, despite bearing the brunt of the tunnel’s impact.

“Do we get a benefit out of it? Oh no,” said Moreno. “Somebody is, but it’s all going down south.”

And with the state portraying local opposition as mere obstacles to be removed, the people of Hood are left wondering whether they have any real say in the project that may forever change — or erase — their town.

Originally reported by John Ramos in MSN News.