Agenda

Return

D.1

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Date:	February 3, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Report on Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP)

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 02/03/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

Contact:

Roberta Goulart, 335-1226

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 3, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT report from the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) representatives on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and alternative isolated conveyance plans for the Delta.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact. Informational report only.

BACKGROUND:

With the eminent collapse of CALFED, the State Water Contractors (SWC; those agencies that export water from the Delta) initiated efforts to develop a ‘reliable’ water supply to the south via an alternate conveyance facility. n 2006 a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the SWC, state and federal agencies was signed, signaling the beginning of a process by which to address endangered species issues and construction of an isolated transfer facility. Since that time, other agencies and organizations have signed onto this process, including environmental groups and the Contra Costa Water District, via a Planning Agreement signed in 2007.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

The pumping of large amounts of water in the early 2000’s was deemed to be a primary reason for the recent decimation of Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt and may be a cause in the significant decline of salmon species. Resultant court cases limiting exports of water through the Delta and drought have exacerbated the situation for the SWC.

Governor Schwarzenegger supports the BDCP process, as did his Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, which supported ‘dual conveyance’ in their Vision and Strategic Plan. The Governor’s Delta Vision Committee recently completed their Implementation Plan and report to the legislature, where the BDCP process was prominently featured. The Governor supports putting a water bond on the ballot that would include funds for components of the BDCP.

The BDCP is composed of several smaller committees that report to the Steering Committee, which meets every other week. The BDCP Process calls for a Conservation Plan and draft Environmental Review Documents to be completed this year.