California’s San Francisco Bay-Delta water protections set for modernization | Covering California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Wednesday, the California State Water Resources Control Board released its final draft plan to modernize water quality protections for the Sacramento River and the San Francisco Bay-Delta.

The State Water Resources Control Board will consider adopting the updated Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed at a public hearing scheduled for October 28 and 29.

Officials say the San Francisco Bay-Delta supports some of the state’s most iconic and threatened fish and wildlife, sustains tribes and other local communities and provides water for nearly 30 million Californians and 4 million acres of farmland.

However, the Delta and its tributaries have long been under threat, with native fish populations suffering, habitat being lost and the watershed facing increasing pressure from climate change and competing demands for water.

“This is California’s opportunity to manage the Bay-Delta for the twenty-first century,” said State Water Board Executive Director Eric Oppenheimer. “We can protect rivers, fish, wildlife and tribal cultural uses while building greater resilience and security for communities, farms and the state’s economy. This proposal combines the best available science with adaptability, collaboration and accountability. We are creating a framework that can protect the Bay-Delta and adapt as conditions change.”

The proposal combines strong standards, new partnerships, major investments and rigorous accountability to protect the Bay-Delta, water supply and wildlife.

According to the State Water Resources Control Board, if adopted, the updated plan would establish enforceable protections to ensure water right holders meet a clear environmental standard through either an approved voluntary pathway or regulatory pathway.

The plan would recognize “Tribal Tradition and Culture” as a protected beneficial use of water for the first time, reflecting the deep cultural connections between tribes, rivers and native fish such as salmon.

It would also lessen periods of reduced water supply for municipalities and water districts while maintaining protection for Delta flows in drier times.

The proposal focuses on the protection of fish and wildlife, including increased river flows and restoration of more than 27,000 acres of aquatic habitat.

In addition, the proposal would facilitate $2.9 billion in restoration and related actions through the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program.

At the center of the proposal is a new model for environmental protection that pairs commitments under the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program with a strong regulatory backstop.

Water users participating in the program would have the opportunity to satisfy new requirements through a combination of flow and habitat.

The public comment period on the proposed amendments officially began on Wednesday, with all written comments regarding the proposal due by September 18.

Those looking for additional information can do so by visiting the State Water Resources Control Board’s website.