Western Water: Meeting the Co-equal Goals? The Bay Delta Conservation Plan
The Water Education Foundation’s May/June issue of Western Water looks at the BDCP and the Coalition to Support Delta Projects, issues that are aimed at improving the health and safety of the Delta while solidifying California’s long-term water supply reliability. The BDCP simultaneously takes on improving water supply reliability and
The Water Education Foundation’s May/June issue of Western Water looks at the BDCP and the Coalition to Support Delta Projects, issues that are aimed at improving the health and safety of the Delta while solidifying California’s long-term water supply reliability. The BDCP simultaneously takes on improving water supply reliability and ushering in widespread habitat creation and enhancement. Under its charge, more than 100,000 acres worth of habitat projects would be created or protected at a cost of about $4 billion, to be paid for largely with public money. The goal of the BDCP is to be a key part of the Delta Plan, the lengthy document adopted May 16 by the Delta Stewardship Council. But it is the BDCP’s plan to construct a new Delta conveyance system that has drawn the most attention. A $25 billion proposal calls for twin underground tunnels that would carry Sacramento River water drawn from three intakes under the Delta to the state and federal pumping facilities in the South Delta at a maximum rate of 9,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Advocates of the BDCP say it is necessary to break the gridlock that is often the hallmark of Delta conveyance issues. “The status quo is such right now that it serves virtually no one,” said John Laird, secretary of the Natural Resources Agency. The BDCP is a lightning rod for criticism by those who say it is too big, too expensive and harmful to the Delta environment and economy. These opponents either oppose it outright or believe it needs to be scaled back considerably. The digital format includes videos, audio interviews, animated graphics and easy-to-access links to the reports cited in the article and related background information. Click here to receive a free preview. Become an e-subscriber and access the digital version and all the additional content on your desktop computer or laptop. And view the article on your laptop and download the free Water Education Foundation app to view each issue of Western Water in the new interactive format on your iPad or iPhone. Click here to learn more about how to subscribe to this exciting new downloadable digital version of Western Water. Also available on the Foundation’s website are excerpts from this excellent article written by Gary Pitzer. Click here to read Western Water today! Click to launch the full edition in a new window.