being focused on,” said Doug Brown, coordinator for the Delta Counties Coalition, which represents supervi- sors from Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo counties. “There was really a void in the near- term projects and getting something done in the near term and maybe the collective will of all the stakeholders could push that through.” The Delta projects range from


levee and flood management emer- gency response projects to ecosystem restoration, water supply/water quality and research, investigation and educa- tion. The Coalition identified several parameters for supported projects, including those that have wide support, those that can be on line within five to


A Blueprint For The Delta


An integral part of the 2009 water package, the Delta Plan was adopted by the Delta Stewardship Council after an exhaustive preparation and review process of about 100 public meetings. The Plan is designed to be an overarching governing framework for the Delta through its menu of levee, ecosystem and water quality protection. This is done through 14 enforceable regulatory policies and 73 non-binding recom- mendations.


“State law told us to develop a legally enforceable Delta Plan that will guide state and local agency actions on water use and the Delta environment,” Council Chair Phil Isenberg said in a press release. “We will now be able to focus on imple- menting the policies and recom- mendations that will help achieve the state’s co-equal goals of provid- ing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem while protecting the unique values of the Delta as an evolving place.” Revamped water supply con- veyance is addressed through the BDCP. The Delta Plan also touches on improved water use efficiency,


10


increased storage, development of other local water supplies and protection of Delta farmlands and communities.


The Plan identifies six “high priority” locations in the Delta and Suisun Marsh to recover endangered species, rebuild salmon runs and enhance habitat for wildlife. The Plan also prioritizes actions to reduce pollution, invasive species and impacts of other ecosystem stressors and seeks to establish a more natural pattern of water flows in the Delta, according to the Council.


The Plan recommends the State


Water Resources Control Board to consider “special water quality protections” for priority habitat restoration areas, complete devel- opment of a strategic work plan to protect groundwater resources, and work with other relevant agencies to develop and implement a Delta regional water quality monitoring program.


The Council will also begin to implement the Delta Plan through an Implementation Committee made up of state and federal agencies that are responsible for the actions proposed in the Delta Plan.


10 years, those that are “no risk or low risk for any regrets” and do not preju- dice the outcome of BDCP or the Delta Plan, those that can be funded and those supported by local landowners. “In part because this is an ad hoc group with no independent authority, we have strongly resisted any effort to prioritize projects,” Minton said. Identified projects require a com- bination of financing and engineering and environmental feasibility to move toward completion, Minton said. Each project “has its unique opportunities and challenges” the Coalition seeks to help. In some cases, it is support for al- locations of existing funds, other times it is to encourage opponents to resolve remaining issues.


“When there is broad support, all of those ingredients [financing and engineering and environmental feasibility] are easier to obtain,” he said. “We know that several of the parties involved with rewriting the bond are looking at this list as a good indication of the kinds of projects that could be included for funding.”


Many projects have funding lined up but face regulatory hurdles, Gartrell said. “The key block is usually getting permits … and as part of getting those permits if there are questions about your project or opposition, it makes it harder to get those permits,” he said. “The fact that these projects are supported by a broad coalition that in- cludes participation by state and federal and regulatory agencies [is] exceedingly important when you go to them for these permits. That’s a big boost.” While not a formal group with decision making authority, Coalition members say its presence is important in moving key projects along. “I think that the largest influence comes from different interests agree- ing that these projects should move forward,” said Leo Winternitz, Delta Project director with The Nature Conservancy. “That’s what it boils down to.” Winternitz is involved with McCormack-Williamson Tract, a $20 million project that blends flood


Western Water


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15