CA Water Package....

[Darian]

Not sure if anyone has been following the "water package" that the Guv recently signed into law or not but thought some mention of high level points might be interesting.

There were 4 bills in the package. Numbered SBx7-1, SBx7-6, SBx7-7, SBx7-8 for those who want to read themselves. To give you an idea just how many bytes are involved, the number in SBx7-1 is over 115 K.

The main thrust of the first chapter (SBx7-1) is to provide a plan to plan and attempts to role up all previous efforts (Cal-Fed, prior years legislation, etc. ) into this effort. Mandates incorpration of the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan. Very little enforcement is mentioned and that is limited to specific items within Delta confines. The law mandates two "....co-equal goals of providing a more reliable water supply and protecting, restoring and enhancing delta eco-system." Defines restoration as, "....means achieving a close approximation of the delta's ecosystems natural potential, given past physical changes and future impact of climate change." I found the definition a perfect example of political speak.

Here's a few main inclusions:

Repeals Bay Delta Authority Act.

• Reconstitutes the Delta Protection Commission (authorizes 15 members).
  
• creates(?) the Delta Stewardship Council.
  
• Creates the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (a primary state agency/board) with 11 members.
  
• Creates a Delta Independent Science Board.
  
• Creates a Delta Watermaster (vague law enforcement entity with a proposed staff of up to 50?).

Many of the members of the agencies/boards are elected or appointed officials from state agencies (Natural Resources, Business and Transportation, State Water Resources Control Board, etc.) and delta counties and may/do serve on one or more of these entities.

Initial funding for these entities and others is appropriated from existing bond issues authorized in prior years but not yet expended. This should, ultimately, be added to the ongoing costs of the proposed $11.1 Billion dollars for the "water package."

The jurisdiction of all of this now extends to the "legal delta" and Suisun Marsh.

Among the positives included is a prohibition against commencing construction of any new delta diversion, conveyance or other facility until changes are approved by SWRCB but anticipates the potential need for new facilities. Mandates establishing development of reasonable in-stream flows for the Delta as well.

This note is only an attempt to hit the high points after a cursory look at verbiage of SBx7-1. It's gonna take some time to read this and the other new laws to determine what they actually say. Perhaps others will weigh in on this and add a few insights, as well. At any rate, there's entirely too much information to put up on this BB....

[Tracy Chimenti]

Who said the government can't create jobs!

[Darian]

Tracy,.... You ain't seen nothin' yet.... I failed to mention in my prior note that the feds "two gates" project is going to be incorporated into this effort. The supposed intent is to see if it benefits endangered fish. So, it looks like navigating/transit around the Delta will be more difficult after implementation.