As one of the nexus points in the water system in California, what happens with the Sacramento Delta impacts the entire state, and the plan put together by the Delta Vision Foundation—soundly based on increasing supply with dams and enhancing conveyance—is the best out there right now and worth keeping tabs on its implementation.
They have issued a report card on how it is going so far.
News Release.
For Immediate Release:
Monday, June 1, 2009
Contact:
Julie Dixon, Resource Media / 415-302-6089
Delta Vision Foundation Says State Efforts to Fix Delta Don't Make the Grade
Report Card shows little progress on implementation of Delta Vision Strategic Plan
Sacramento - Today, members of the Delta Vision Foundation (formerly the Governor's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force) released a mid-term "Report Card" to determine the State's progress in shaping policy to restore the beleaguered Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and ensure a reliable water supply for California.
"The urgency of our water supply problems and the crisis of the Delta ecosystem dictate a more aggressive, cohesive, and integrated approach by the Governor and the Legislature," said Phil Isenberg, former Chair of the Delta Vision Task Force. "We need the Administration to issue a clear position on the Strategic Plan's recommendations, and state lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt the comprehensive package."
The Delta Vision Foundation analysis charges that in the six months since its release, the Governor has not responded to the recommendations and strategies documented in the Delta Vision Strategic Plan, which his Cabinet Committee reviewed and largely supported. In addition, although the Foundation gave the State Legislature credit for devoting an impressive amount of time and thought to state water policy, they say the current roster of water bills is inconsistent.
According to William K. Reilly, a member of the Governor's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force and former administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Time is running out both on prospects for a sustainable Delta ecosystem and on legislative opportunities to act to protect it this session. I very much hope that the Governor, who signaled his priority by establishing and appointing the Delta Vision Task Force, gets the chance to act on its recommendations as part of his legacy."
Stakeholders' testimony at today's public meeting confirmed that time is running out on the Delta, and that the State must act soon.
The Delta Vision Strategic Plan was released in October 2008. The plan included a set of integrated recommendations by which the fundamental and co-equal goals of water supply reliability and Delta ecosystem restoration could be met by adopting the package in full.
"The State Legislature and Governor made a major investment in and helped facilitate the Delta Vision, but so far have failed to take action on our recommendations," said Isenberg. "The Report Card we issued today gave lawmakers a grade of incomplete."
The recommendations as stated in the Delta Vision Strategic Plan are:
• Make the co-equal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration the legal foundation of Delta and water policy
• Recognize and enhance the unique cultural, recreational and agricultural values of the California Delta as an evolving place
• Restore the Delta ecosystem as the heart of a healthy estuary
• Promote statewide water conservation, efficiency and sustainable use
• Build facilities to improve the existing water conveyance system and expand statewide storage; operate both to achieve the co-equal goals
• Reduce risks to people, property and state interests in the Delta by effective emergency preparedness, appropriate land uses and strategic levee investments
• Establish a new governance structure with the authority, responsibility, accountability, science support and secure funding to achieve these goals
View the full Report Card
