• Californians are slowly waking up to the very present issues related to water supply security. The San Francisco Bay Delta provides 23 million Californians with at least some of their water supply.  It is also the largest fresh water estuary on the west coast of both North and South America, providing habitat for numerous permanent and migratory species. It’s importance has not kept it from being managed into a state of ecogical degradation that threatens long term ecological sustainability and water supply security.  With numerous competing draws on the Delta, it has been hell trying to come up with a plan that satisfies the co equal goals of “providing for the conservation and management of aquatic and terrestrial species, including the restoration and enhancement of ecological functions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, and improving current water supplies and the reliability of water supply delivery conveyed through the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP).”

     

    How Can You Get Educated and Get Involved?

    For a bit of background on the players and the issues, check out the USGS, Metropolitan Water District of SoCal and a recent article in SFGate.

    There are two immediate opportunities for direct engagement with the plan process. Participate in the Bay Delta Conservancy Plan’s meeting this week, and make comments on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy just-released draft plan.  Please read on for more information on each.

     

    Bay Delta Conservation Plan Public Meeting Scheduled for March 28 at 1:30pm

    A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. Meeting topics include an update on BDCP Chapters 3 (Conservation Strategy) and 8 (Implementation Costs and Funding Sources), and an update on the environmental review process and preliminary draft EIR/EIS chapters available for review. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be available via conference call at 1-888-369-1427, access code 8278112.

    Wednesday, March 28, 2012

    1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

    The Pagoda Building, City View Room

    429 J Street (corner of J and 5th Streets), Sacramento, CA 95814

    Parking is available at the City of Sacramento Downtown Plaza parking facilities.

    ==========================================================================

    The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Draft Strategic Plan is available online for public review and comment. Starting on page 31 are the proposed 8 Goals and Objectives.

    How to Comment
    We are seeking your review to ensure the plan includes an accurate representation of your interests, a clear definition of the Conservancy’s role in the Delta, as well as strong goals and objectives for the overall good of the Delta community.
    If you’d like to provide comments in person, we have three public work sessions scheduled in the Delta as follows:

    Rio Vista City Council Chambers
    One Main Street, Rio Vista, CA
    Tuesday, April 10, 2012
    5:30pm-7:30pm

    Clarksburg Community Church
    52910 Netherlands Ave, Clarksburg, CA
    Thursday, April 12, 2012
    3:30pm-5:30pm

    Oakley City Council Chambers
    3231 Main Street, Oakley, CA
    Saturday, April 14, 2012
    10am-12noon

    You may also make comments at the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan and Policy Subcommittee meeting on Monday, April 9, 3pm-5pm, held at Conservancy headquarters.   Comments also may be submitted in writing via email atcomments@deltaconservancy.ca.gov or sent to the Conservancy headquarters at 3500 Industrial Blvd., second floor, West Sacramento, CA  95691. Comments to the draft Strategic Plan are due April 20, 2012.

    Thank you for supporting us in the development of this important document that will guide our future work in the Delta.

    Susan Roberts
    Board Liaison
    Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
    3500 Industrial Boulevard, Second Floor
    West Sacramento, CA 95691

    916.375.2088 direct
    916.996.8117 mobile
    916.376.9688 fax