• Given that the Bay-Delta is the largest estuary on the western coast of both North and South America, which provides the water for well over 2/3rds of California and our economically crucial agricultural industry, sustainable management of the Bay-Delta is one contentious process. The recently approved working draft has experienced quite a backlash from water agencies.

     BDCP Working Draft Report Now Available Submitted by Lisa Lien-Mager

    A “complete working draft” of the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan has now been posted and is available here.

    The working draft outlines a 50-year plan to meet ecological needs in the Delta while ensuring an adequate and reliable water supply for California. It was discussed and refined by the BDCP Steering Committee at its meeting Nov. 18.

    In another development, Westlands Water District announced yesterday that it is withdrawing its support for the continued development of the BDCP, citing concerns with the direction being provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior to federal agencies working to complete the plan.

    “As a public agency, Westlands cannot continue to spend millions of our ratepayers‟ dollars on a project that is likely to deliver no more and potentially less water to the public than they are receiving today,” the district‟s President, Jean P. Sagouspe, wrote in a letter to David Hayes, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

    The letter is available here.

    Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes responded to Westlands in a Nov. 23 letter that restated Interior’s commitment to the BDCP process and to completing a sound, science-based plan that can provide a lasting solution to water supply and ecosystem problems.

    Interior’s response letter is available here.

    On Nov. 24, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority announced it was removing its support from the BDCP due to escalating costs and a lack of assurances. The authority’s statement is available here.

    Statements were also issued by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the State Water Contractors.