What's Being Done?
Pivotal decisions are currently underway in Sacramento that will affect how much water will be reserved for the rivers that feed the Bay-Delta Estuary. These decisions will have significant long-term impacts to the quality of life and economy of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Although conflict over water use and availability in California dates back many decades, in recent years an effort has been made to increase the share of freshwater available for fish and wildlife. In 2009, the Delta Reform Act enshrined in state law the following coequal goals:
“’Coequal goals’ means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.”
Although conflict over water use and availability in California dates back many decades, in recent years an effort has been made to increase the share of freshwater available for fish and wildlife. In 2009, the Delta Reform Act enshrined in state law the following coequal goals:
“’Coequal goals’ means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.”
Overview of Three Major Planning Processes for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Watershed and the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary
These processes will have tremendous impacts on the future of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. The time to act to ensure a healthy future for the Estuary is now. Increased freshwater flows to the San Francisco Bay and Delta must be a priority as these decisions are considered.
More information on these planning processes can also be found at Maven's Notebook. Or click on the titles below:
Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan (State Water Resources Control Board website)
CA Water Fix (CA Water Fix website)
Delta Plan (Delta Stewardship Council website)
