The Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers Delta and San Francisco Bay (hereinafter “Bay-Delta”) is an important economic and environmental resource benefiting all of California and the nation, and that there is much at stake in how one implements the numerous ecosystem restoration and water management actions that are under consideration. The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) and Sacramento Valley water resources managers recognize the importance to California’s future of restoring the environmental health of the Bay-Delta and providing high quality and reliable water supplies for all beneficial uses. We have been and remain willing to play a constructive role in implementing necessary solutions to Bay-Delta problems. In this context, NCWA remains committed to work toward the co-equal goals and a successful resolution to the Bay-Delta’s complex environmental and water supply problems.
Sacramento Valley water resources all flow through the rich mosaic in the Sacramento Valley and then funnel south past the Capitol through the Bay-Delta and then to the Pacific Ocean. Since the late 1800s, leaders throughout the Sacramento Valley have secured a variety of water rights to water and have invested significant public and private capital so that water supplies can either be directly diverted or stored to meet the various Northern California needs. These water rights and supplies are essential to support the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the Sacramento Valley by enhancing and preserving the rich mosaic of farmlands, cities and rural communities, refuges and managed wetlands, and meandering rivers that support fisheries and wildlife.
To provide water supplies and improve water quality for all of these diverse purposes, Sacramento Valley public and private agencies have developed a highly efficient system of water facilities and they continue to improve regional water management programs to facilitate cooperation within the region. The Sacramento Valley has also partnered on numerous occasions with diverse parties throughout the state to help improve water quality, habitat conditions and to help meet supplemental water supply needs outside the region.
For the past several decades, the Northern California Water Association (NCWA) has been a strong and constructive participant in the various processes designed to help solve the challenges in the Bay-Delta. Starting in 1994, NCWA was a signatory to the Bay-Delta Accord, which pledged commitment to a long-term plan to address water supply and environmental problems in the Bay-Delta. NCWA subsequently helped develop and ultimately supported Propositions 204, 13, 50, 84, 1B, the federal California Water Supply, Reliability and Environmental Improvement Act, and various federal appropriations for the Bay-Delta.
During this time, NCWA Board Members, staff, and member representatives have served on the various appointed councils that advised these various programs and have actively participated in the various committees and work groups assisting in the development and implementation of the program objectives. This consistent and constructive participation reflects NCWA members’ commitment to active water management and environmental stewardship. Most important, this commitment has resulted in improved water quality in the Sacramento River and its tributaries, the production of high quality agricultural products that are consumed around the world, more efficient water use in the Sacramento Valley, increased habitat and protections for fisheries, the establishment of thousands of acres of privately managed habitat for waterfowl and wildlife, and a more reliable water supply to support the Pacific Flyway.
NCWA and Sacramento Valley water resources managers have supported the state’s co-equal goals (providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring and enhancing the Delta ecosystem”) and have encouraged success in the formulation of the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), the Delta Plan, and related actions to help resolve the challenges in the Delta and to provide stability to California’s water system. The support for these Delta plans and our ability to help these plans succeed are premised upon respecting the unique and exceptional nature of the Sacramento Valley and fully honoring the water rights, supplies and regional self-sufficiency necessary to support this region. The Sacramento Valley is unique and distinct from the Bay-Delta–both geographically and otherwise–and should be recognized as such. Actions associated with the Delta plans must be undertaken in a manner that insures that solutions implemented to resolve problems within the Bay-Delta will not redirect negative impacts to the Sacramento Valley. Any taxes or fees to support the Bay-Delta should be paid by those reliant upon the Bay-Delta program.
The California Legislature in the 2009 Delta Reform Act expressly recognized that areas upstream of the Delta should be protected in this process and should not be adversely impacted.
- Coequal goals: The state’s coequal goals call for “providing a more reliable water supply for California” (including the Sacramento Valley–not just the export areas receiving the benefit of the BDCP). (Water Code §85054.)
- Water rights protections: The Legislature expressly recognized that water rights and area of origin provisions shall not be impaired or diminished as a result of the BDCP and the related actions in the Delta Plan. (Water Code §85031.)
- Regional sustainability: Delta solutions should not interfere with upstream efforts to maintain or promote regional water sustainability and self-sufficiency. (Water Code §85021.)
If you have further questions or would like more information on NCWA’s role in the Bay-Delta, please contact us.
