700-mile sloughs and waterways, surround more than 60 tracts and islands supported by levees
500,000 residents, largest use of land is agricultural, recreation destination, important transportation and utilities corridor, estuary and waterways
Competing interests ◦ Water supply ◦ Ecosystem
Deteriorating habitat impacts on water suppliers’ ability to export through the Delta
History of major – but largely failed – efforts to address water conflicts
2
LAKE SHASTA
LAKE OROVILLE
State Water Project (Bay-Delta)
20%
Colorado River 63%
Local Supplies and Conservation
17%
3
Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta
Years-long Board and staff education process on BDCP proposal and related issues ◦ Nearly 40 public meetings since July
2011
Intensive, multi-disciplinary staff analysis of BDCP environmental and planning documents ◦ Year of extensive Board discussion
Water Authority comment letters submitted in Spring and Summer 2014
4
BDCP Plan and EIR/EIS
Water Authority’s BDCP Analyses
April 2015 – Recirculation of BDCP EIR, EIS, and Implementing Agreement
September 2015 – Projected timeframe for final EIR/EIS
October 2015 – Projected timeframe for Record of Decision/Notice of Determination
2016 – Permits, followed by commencement of construction
5
Adopted by Water Authority Board in February 2012
Bay-Delta policy principles guide staff in advocating for, and protecting, the region’s interests ◦ Provide a framework to evaluate the
potential impact of state and federal legislation
Broad range of policy issues ◦ Water supply reliability ◦ Ecosystem restoration ◦ Finance and funding ◦ Facilities ◦ Governance
6
1. How big does the project need to be?
2. How much will it cost? 3. How much water will San
Diego get? 4. What is the portion of the
cost San Diego will be obligated to pay?
7
5. Who is going to commit to pay for it? 6. How will Water Authority ratepayers be protected
from paying disproportionate share of BDCP costs? 7. Will the costs of BDCP to San Diego ratepayers
negatively impact local supply development?
Water Authority will continue active engagement at various decision-making levels to ensure: ◦ Development and implementation of a
cost-effective Delta solution
◦ Solutions balance environmental needs of the Delta with improved water supply reliability and water quality
◦ The Water Authority’s share of the financial obligations match benefits provided by the selected Delta solution
8