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Delta Initiatives

Delta farm The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a great natural treasure and a vital link in the state's water system, spanning five counties in northern California at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. As a result of the State's increasing population, demand for water and changing environmental conditions, the Delta is in jeopardy of collapse.

To avert an ecological disaster and ensure reliable water supplies for Californians now and in the future Governor Schwarzenegger has outlined a comprehensive plan for Delta sustainability. The Governor's plan is consistent with the California Water Plan and the Delta Vision's Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations and includes actions that need to move forward now but will be consistent with any long-term strategic plan. Each of these actions will contribute to the sustainability of the Delta, restoring the environment and ensuring clean, safe and reliable water supplies for California.

What's New...

Delta E-News
Keep current on Delta programs and initiatives with the Delta e-newsletter. This electronic newsletter is designed to keep you current on issues affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Prior issues of Delta e-News can be found under "Archive" in the left menu.
View the August 7, 2008 Delta e-News
 
Landowner meetings held for BDCP EIR/EIS
As part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study alternatives for ecosystem restoration and water conveyance options. DWR will be holding six meetings for Delta landowners on August 12-14 and August 19-21 in Galt, Lathrop, Antioch, Walnut Grove, Rio Vista and Stockton to discuss the upcoming survey work with potentially affected landowners.
 
DWR workshops to brief local agencies on levee reporting website
The Department of Water Resources Flood Project Integrity and Inspection Branch will host a series of workshops in August for local government agencies. The sessions will focus on a new electronic web application to help local agencies with their levee reporting requirements. This application has been designed to provide access to flood control system information and to help agencies file levee reports required by Assembly Bill 156. The workshops will be held at the DWR Joint Operations Center in Sacramento.
 

DWR Actions to Protect and Restore California's Delta

conservation WATER CONSERVATION - Increasing water conservation is an essential element of fixing the Delta. The Governor has called for a 20% per capita reduction in urban water use statewide by 2020. DWR is working with the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Public Utilities Commission, and the California Energy Commission to develop a plan to achieve the Governor's goal.
delta PROTECTING THE DELTA - The Delta is a unique and historic place that must be protected. Valuable Delta resources include legacy communities, agriculture, transportation, recreation, communications, industrial infrastructure and environmental resources.
bird BAY-DELTA CONSERVATION PLAN EIS/EIR - The Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is focused on water supply reliability and the recovery of listed species through a HCP under Federal law and an NCCP under State law. Environmental documents will be prepared to support the co-equal values of ecosystem restoration and water supply reliability in the Delta. BDCP will evaluate alternatives necessary to restore and protect the Delta ecosystem in the context of options for water conveyance.
Delta channel INTERIM DELTA ACTIONS - Interim Delta actions are intended to help protect and restore Delta habitat and species, improve our ability to respond to catastrophic Delta failures and help water users cope with supply interruptions while long-term Delta planning efforts are being completed. These actions are intended to be compatible with any long-term Delta plan and make incremental improvements until long-term plans are in place.
dam WATER STORAGE - Additional storage capacity is needed to improve water supply reliability, help restore the environment, reduce system conflict and manage increased risk and uncertainty. New water storage will provide water dedicated to the environment, help respond to climate change and help meet the water needs for California's environment, growing population and vital economy.