Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

The Bay-Delta Conservation Plan

Dale AndersonPWS225

Rocklin, CABrotherGrimm/Wikipedia

“The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a great natural treasure and a vital link in the state’s water system… as a result of the State’s increasing population, demand for water and changing environmental conditions, the Delta is in jeopardy of collapse”1

“The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is being developed to promote the recovery of endangered, threatened and sensitive fish and wildlife species and their habitats in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in a way that will also protect and restore water supplies.”21. CA Dept of Water Resources, Delta Initiatives 15 Jan 2010

http://www.dwr.water.ca.gov/deltainit/2. Bay-Delta Conservation Plan-What is the BDCP? http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/BDCPPages/aboutBDCP.aspx

A brief history leading up to the BDCPIn response to a steep decline in the health of

the Delta ecosystem and competing priorities for a limited water supply, a top to bottom review of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta management was begun. In September 2006 with Executive Order S-17-06 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature initiated “Delta Vision”http://deltavision.ca.gov/StrategicPlanningProcess/StaffDraft/

Delta_Vision_Strategic_Plan_standard_resolution.pdf

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THE DELTA VISION PROCESS

Blue Ribbon

Task Force

Independent group charged with developing

a long-term vision and a

strategic plan to implement that

vision

Delta Vision

Committee

A cabinet-level group to review the work of the Task Force and

make implementation recommendatio

ns

Delta Science Advisors

Consult and advise about

scientific issues

regarding the Delta

Stakeholder Coordinatio

n Group

43-member group of

representatives from all

major interests using or

living in the Delta

http://www.deltavision.ca.gov/AboutDeltaVision.shtml

BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCEDelta Vision Strategic Plan, Oct 2008

The Plan is premised on accomplishing 7 broad goals,• Goal #1 - “Legally acknowledge the co-equal

goals to restore the Delta ecosystem and create a more reliable water supply for California”1

• The remaining goals map the strategy to accomplish Goal #1

The BDCP is an ongoing effort and is being incorporated into the Delta Vision Process

1. http://deltavision.ca.gov/DV_Committee/Jan2009/08-1231_Delta_Vision_Committee_Implementation_Report.pdf

BDCP: Lead AgenciesFederal State

Department of the Interior

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Department of Water Resources

Natural Resources Agency

Department of Fish and Game

In addition to nearly 20 other Federal, State, local, and non-governmental groups as BDCP Steering Committee Participants.

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/BDCPPages/Partners.aspx

THE DELTA: OVERVIEWLargest Estuary on the Pacific CoastReceives almost half of the State’s runoffCovers 738,000 acres of lowland channels, islands,

and sloughs, much of it below sea level Relies on more than 1,000 miles of levees for flood

protectionHome to over 720 species of plants and animalsProvides drinking water for 25 million peopleSource of water for half of the nation’s fresh produceProvides recreation, flood control and wildlife habitat

Blue Ribbon Task Force- Delta Vision Final Report 29 Jan 2008http://deltavision.ca.gov/BlueRibbonTaskForce/FinalVision/Delta_Vision_Final.pdf

REGIONAL MAP

Sacramento and San Joaquin River Delta

Westlands Water District, the largest irrigation district in the United States, relies on 1.15 million acre feet of Delta water annually.

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http://www.westlandswater.org/resources/watersupply/overview.asp?title=Overview&cwide=1600http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown/article_view?b_start:int=2&-C=

CONTROL OF THE DELTAFED STATE

The Central Valley Project inaugurated in 1957, one of the world’s largest water and transport systems. Managed by the U.S.

Bureau of Reclamation. Irrigates over 3 million

acres of farmlandProvides drinking water

to about 2 million people

California State Water Project stores and delivers water to urban and ag suppliers throughout California Managed by the Dept. of Water

Resources Delivers water to two-thirds of

California ‘s population 30% irrigates the San Joaquin 70% supplies residential,

municipal, and industrial users Project also operated to improve;

Delta water quality Control floodwaters Provide recreation Enhance fish and wildlife

http://search.mtdemocrat.com/display.php?id=55978

CONTROL: cont.-A multitude of projects and legislation to control flooding and habitat...

Flood Control Protecting Habitat1861-State Legislature

created Board of Swamp and Overflowed Land Commissioners to manage reclamation projects

1880-State Engineer designed a flood control plan using a system of levees and bypasses

1917-Sacramento Flood Control Project completed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in 1960-more levees

1988-The Delta Flood Protection Act contained an environmental mandate protecting existing habitat

1992-The Central Valley Project Improvement Act passed to balance the water demands of farms and cities with Delta’s fisheries protection

1994-Bay Delta Accords another attempt at balancing water needs

CALFED-a ten year period of state/federal collaborative management

…and that ain’t all!!!

http://baydeltaoffice.water.ca.gov/sdb/tbp/deltaoverview/index.cfm

http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown/article_view?b_start:int=2&-C=

STRESSORSStorm water runoff from urban areasWater Exports to ag and urban usersWildlife Harvest – commercial, sport, poachingContaminants

Ammonia and endocrine disruptors from wastewater treatment plants

Methylmercury from legacy mines in Sierra watershedsInvasive speciesEntrainment at diversion pumpsSalinity – good for the ecosystem, bad for crops/drinking

waterSeawater intrusion from over-pumping/over-allocatingAgricultural drainage

Water quality – dissolved O2 , temperature, disease organisms

http://www.baydeltaconservationplan.com/FactSheetLibrary/Other_Stressors_Fact_Sheet_-_WEB.pdf

THE HARVEY O. BANKS PUMPING PLANTTwo batteries of pumps draw water from the east edge of the Delta to feed the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project.Able to move 21,ooo acre-feet a day to supply 1.2 million acres of farmland and serve an additional 25 million people in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Calif. Dept. of Water Resources

STRESSORS: Example

HARVEY O. BANKS PUMPS: contDramatically alters the hydrology of the Delta by re-

orienting flows from east to west to north to southInterrupts a natural cycle of tidal influences that

bring brackish nutrient-rich flows through the DeltaSmelt, which are weak swimmers, are drawn into

the pumps and pulverized

Blue Ribbon Task Force. Delta Vision Strategic Plan. Pp27-8 Oct 2008 http://deltavision.ca.gov/StrategicPlanningProcess/StaffDraft/Delta_Vision_Strategic_Plan_standard_resolution.pdf

High Country News. “Breakdown...” p3. 11 Jan 2010http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown/article_view?b_start:int=2&-C=

THE DELTA SMELT

The delta smelt, a crucial link in the food web, spends its entire one-year life span in the Delta and is an indicator species on the health of the Delta ecosystem. Listed as threatened in 1993.Being used by those working to save the Delta as a tool through the Endangered Species Act to improve flows and water quality.

Photo USFWS

Salmon

Smelt

Phyto-

plankton

High Country News. “Breakdown...” p3. 11 Jan 2010 http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown/article_view?b_start:int=2&-C=

THE DELTA SMELT: contAlso being used by farm corporations to fuel a political “fish versus people” debate in order to increase diversions for water-intensive cash crops.

Also note that these farms typically do not have primary water rights under California’s water rights process.

http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown Photos High Country News

BDCP: Conservation StrategyProvide a comprehensive habitat conservation and

restoration program for the DeltaProvide the basis for permits under federal and

State endangered species laws for the activities covered by the plan based on the best available science

Identify sources of funding and new methods of decision-making for ecosystem improvements

Provide for an “adaptive management” and monitoring program to enable the plan to adapt as conditions change and new information emerges

Streamline permitting for projects covered by the plan

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/GeneralDocuments/BDCP_Brochure.pdf

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

“A type of natural resource management in which decisions are made as part of an ongoing science-based process, adaptive management involves testing monitoring, and evaluating applied strategies, and incorporating new knowledge into management approaches that are based on scientific findings and the needs of society. Results are used to modify management policy, strategies and practices.”United Federal Policy for a Watershed approach to Federal Lands and Resource Management, 65 Fed. Reg. 62565. 62572, Oct 18, 2000.Delta Vision Strategic Plan p 47

http://deltavision.ca.gov/StrategicPlanningProcess/StaffDraft/Delta_Vision_Strategic_Plan_standard_resolution.pdf

“BDCP Covered species” – terrestrial and aquatic endangered or sensitive species• Delta smelt

• Longfin smelt• Winter-run Chinook salmon

• Spring-run Chinook salmon• Fall-run and late fall-run Chinook salmon

• Central Valley steelhead• Green sturgeon

• White sturgeon• Sacramento splittail

• River lamprey• Pacific lamprey

• Over 40 terrestrial species

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/FactSheetLibrary/BDCP%20Brochure%200909.pdf

BDCP: Where do we go from here?Refine conservation measures, delta

operations, and habitat restorationDesign adaptive management programContinue to develop biological goals and

objectivesAnalysis of effects on water quality and bio-

resourcesCost and financingImplementation structure and scheduleCommunity workshopsPublic comment on Draft BDCP

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/FactSheetLibrary/BDCP%20Brochure%200909.pdf

MORE HELP FOR THE DELTA

2009 COMPREHENSIVE WATER PACKAGESenate Bills and the Water Bond

2009 COMPREHENSIVE WATER PACKAGESenate Bills and the Water Bond

•“establishes framework to achieve the co-equal goals of providing a more reliable water supply to California and restoring and enhancing the Delta ecosystem.” Also creates the Delta Stewardship Council to assess metrics and ensure cooperation between parties while implementing the BDCP. Establishes the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and restructures the Delta Protection Commission.

Senate Bill No. 1 Delta

Governance/Delta Plan

•Requires local agencies to monitor groundwater levels. DWR to assist with implementation and compliance.

Senate Bill No. 6 Groundwater Monitoring

http://gov.ca.gov/issue/water-supply/

2009 Water Package: cont.

•Conservation through agricultural management plans and requires reduction of urban water use of 20% by 2020

Senate Bill No.7

Statewide Water

Conservation

•Improves the accounting and reporting of Delta water diversions and revises exemptions to reporting requirements. Provides funding for water improvement projects and agency staffing.

Senate Bill No.8 Water Diversion

and Use/Funding

http://gov.ca.gov/issue/water-supply/

2009 Water Package: cont.•Drought Relief - $455m•Delta Sustainability -

$2.25b•Water Supply Reliability -

$1.4b•Statewide Water System

Operational Improvement - $3.0b

•Groundwater Protection and Water Quality - $1b

•Water Recycling and Water Conservation - $1.25b

•Conservation and Watershed Protection - $1.785b

The Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking

Water Supply Act of 2010 – an $11.14 billion

general obligation bond proposal to

fund water infrastructure, slated

for the Nov 2010 ballet

http://gov.ca.gov/issue/water-supply/

OPPONENTSTo be sure, there is not unanimous support for the BDCP and

Water Package. Calling it a “conveyance” plan not a “conservation” plan. Those include;

Planning and Conservation LeagueFriends of the RiverRestore The DeltaSierra ClubCalifornia Sport Fishing AllianceClean Water ActionEnvironmental Justice Water Coalition

In addition to some Delta farmers and water districts and others

http://www.friendsoftheriver.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PeripheralCanal

Links and additional resourcesBay-Delta Conservation Plan – Brochure

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/GeneralDocuments/BDCP_Brochure.pdf

Bay Delta Conservation Plan – Fact Sheet

http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/FactSheetLibrary/BDCP%20Brochure%200909.pdf

Bay-Delta Conservation Plan, What is the BDCP? 15 Jan 2010.http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/BDCPPages/aboutBDCP.aspx

Blue Ribbon Task Force- Final Report 29 Jan 2008 http://deltavision.ca.gov/BlueRibbonTaskForce/FinalVision/Delta_Vision_Final.pdf

Blue Ribbon Task Force-Delta Vision Strategic Plan, Oct 2008

http://deltavision.ca.gov/StrategicPlanningProcess/StaffDraft/Delta_Vision_Strategic_Plan_standard_resolution.pdf

Delta Overview,http://baydeltaoffice.water.ca.gov/sdb/tbp/deltaoverview/index.cfm

Delta Vision-Abouthttp://www.deltavision.ca.gov/AboutDeltaVision.shtml

Links and additional resources

Delta Vision Committee Implementation Report- 31 Dec 2008

http://www.deltavision.ca.gov/DV_Committee/Jan2009/08-1231_Delta_Vision_Committee_Implementation_Report.pdf

Delta Vision Timeline and Glossaryhttp://deltavision.ca.gov/TimelineAndGlossary/DV_BRTF_ArticulationGlossary_07-17-08.pdf

Friends of the Riverhttp://www.friendsoftheriver.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PeripheralCanal

Grossi, Mark and Rodriquez, Robert “Pumps Blast Water to West Valley Farmers” Fresno Bee 8 Feb 2010http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/1814319.html?storylink=omni_popular

Jenkins, Matt. “Breakdown” High Country News 11 Jan 2010http://www.hcn.org/issues/42.1/breakdown

Public Policy Institute of California, “California Water Myths”, . 12 Jan 2010http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/report/R_1209EHR.pdf