State Board Has Critical Role in Delta Plan, New Report Says
Sarah Langford
Association of California Water Agencies
03/24/2011
The State Water Resources Control Board’s broad authority places it in a key position to help implement the Delta Plan’s co-equal goals, according to a report presented today to the Delta Stewardship Council.
Delta Watermaster Craig Wilson presented the report during the council’s meeting in West Sacramento. The report also recommends that the State Board’s Bay Delta Plan and Delta Strategic Workplan be incorporated into the final Delta Plan.
Regarding ecosystem restoration, the State Board’s authority extends to stressors (including flows, upstream contaminants and legacy pollutants), water use efficiency and monitoring, the report says. On the water supply reliability side, conveyance, point of diversion, storage and enforcement of water rights all fall under its scope. Creating a Delta Plan which recognizes the Board’s role is paramount, Wilson said.
Council Chair Phil Isenberg praised the suggestion of two-way interaction between the State Board and the council.
“You’re uniquely positioned to provide recommendations to this council, because of your position and experience,” he told Wilson. “Consider this a general invitation to provide specific wording.”
Council Member Felicia Markus also agreed with the premise of the report, underscoring the number of plans that have already been developed for the Delta and the need for coordination between agencies.
“The Delta Plan should be the great integrator of all the plans and layers of authorities out there,” she said.
