Blog: Part I — The Delta – Origins of Controversy
From the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) Blog, in a post by Jerry Meral, deputy secretary, California Natural Resources Agency:
“Californians have been debating the role of the Delta and the best way to move water to where it’s needed for nearly 70 years. The recently released draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan and accompanying draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) reflect the ongoing evolution of Delta water policy in the critical areas of supply, water quality, environmental impacts, species preservation and the interests of the Delta communities. This is the first of a three-part blog that summarizes how our understanding of these issues has changed in relation to the dynamic growth of California and our constantly expanding appreciation of the needs of its environment.
“Part I: The Delta – Origins of Controversy
“The State Water Project was developed to bring water from Northern California to support the growing needs of the Bay Area, Southern California and the Central Valley after World War II. As it was being designed in the 1950s, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) was concerned that increasing the draw of water across the Delta — on top of existing diversions by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation through the Delta Cross Channel — would draw millions of young fish (especially salmon, striped bass, and other sports fish) into dead-end channels in the south Delta.”