Public Review Draft

California Water Action Plan

DearStakeholder, WehavereachedacriticaljunctureforwaterpolicyinCalifornia.Climatechange,droughtand populationgrowthposesignificantchallengestoourstate.InMay,GovernorBrowndirectedour agenciestoputtogetheramultiagencyworkinggroupandidentifykeyactionsforthenextonetofive yearsthataddressurgentneedsandprovidethefoundationforsustainablemanagementof Californiaswaterresources. Thesetofactionsoutlinedinthisdocumentbegintodealwithourchallenges.Whilethiswont resolvethemall,itcanputCaliforniaonafirmpathtosustainability.Inorderforthisefforttobe effectivetheremustbecollaborationbetweenstate,federalandlocalgovernments,regionalagencies, NativeAmericantribes,theprivatesectorandmembersofthepublic. Thisplanbuildsontheideasandrecommendationsofawiderangeofindustry,governmentandnon governmentalorganizations,whounderstandtheurgencyofthetaskbeforeus.Wemustwork togetherandseizetheopportunitytolaythefoundationforsustainablewatermanagementinthe comingdecades. Overthenextseveralweeks,wewillworktocollectinputonthispublicreviewdraftoftheCalifornia WaterActionPlan.Fromthiseffort,wehopetodriveparticipationinthemanyvenuesthestateof Californiahasforpolicydevelopmentandregulationforwater.Formoreinformationaboutthiswater actionplanortosubmitcommentsandquestionspleaseemailwateraction@water.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

JohnLaird Secretary,CaliforniaNaturalResourceAgency

MatthewRodriquez Secretary,CaliforniaEnvironmentalProtection Agency

KarenRoss Secretary,CaliforniaDepartmentofFoodand Agriculture

Contents
Introduction 1 4 4 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17

RiskstoCaliforniasWaterResources

Goals:Reliability,Restoration,andResilience

Actions

ConservationasaCaliforniaWayofLife IncreaseLocalandRegionalSelfReliance AchieveCoEqualGoalsfortheDelta

ProtectandRestoreImportantEcosystems ManageandPrepareforDryPeriods ExpandWaterStorageCapacity

ProvideSafeDrinkingWaterforAllCommunities ImproveFloodProtection

IncreaseOperationalandRegulatoryEfficiency

IdentifySustainableandIntegratedFinancingOpportunities

Conclusion

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

CaliforniaWaterActionPlan:Actionsfor Reliability,RestorationandResilience
Introduction
Aftertwoyearsofdryweatherandshrinkingreservoirsupplies,weareremindedonceagainthatnothing focusesCaliforniansattentiononourlimitedwaterresourceslikedrought. Thereisbroadagreementthatthestateswatersystemiscurrentlyunabletosatisfactorilymeetbothecological andhumanneeds,tooexposedtowetanddryclimatecyclesandnaturaldisasters,andinadequatetohandle theadditionalpressuresoffuturepopulationgrowthandclimatechange.Solutionsarecomplexandexpensive, andtheyrequirethecooperationandsustainedcommitmentofallCaliforniansworkingtogether.Thoughtful, decisiveactionisneedednowtoputCaliforniaswaterresourcesonasafer,moresustainablepath. Thisreportidentifiesactionsthat,inthenextfiveyears,willmoveCaliforniatowardmoresustainablewater managementbyprovidingreliablewatersupplyforourfarmsandcommunities,restoringimportantwildlife habitatandspecies,andhelpingthestateswatersystemsandenvironmentbecomemoreresilient.These actionsareorganizedaroundlongtermobjectives.Someoftheactionsarenewproposals.Somearebeing plannedandshouldbecompletedmorerapidly,implementedinabetterway,oronalargerscale.Successwill requirethecooperationofmanypartners;thestatesroleistolead,helpothers,andremovebarrierstoaction. Theseactionswillnotaddressallofourchallenges;norshouldtheydistractfromotherimportanteffortsbeing developedandimplementedacrossthestate.But,theactionsdescribedherearecriticaltomovingthestate forwardnow.

Risks to Californias Water Resources

WaterhasalwaysbeenascarceresourceinCalifornia.Mostprecipitationfallsinthenorthernandeastern mountains,yetmostofthepopulationandirrigatedfarmlandislocatedinthedrierwestandsouth. Precipitationishighlyvariableyeartoyear,butthelongwarmsummersarealwaysdry.Inthemid20thcentury, state,federal,andlocalagenciesbuiltavastsystemofreservoirs,canals,pumpsandpipelinestostorewater anddeliverittoagriculturalandurbanusersindryareas.Thissystemhasresultedinunintendedimpactsonthe naturalworld.Ingeneral,thereisbroadconsensusaboutourchallenges: UncertainwatersuppliesReductionsinwaterfrommajorsourcesliketheColoradoRiverand theSacramentoSanJoaquinDelta(Delta)duetohydrologicanddecliningenvironmental conditionshavemadethesewatersupplieslessreliable.Moreover,climatechangeimpactsto thesesourcesandtheSierraheadwatersfurtherstrainssupplyreliabilityfromnorthtosouth. Thesesourcesarefoundationalsuppliesaroundwhichtheircommunitiesdevelopandmanage localresources,suchaswateruseefficiency,recycledwaterandgroundwaterrecharge.The unreliablenatureofthesesuppliesthreatenslocal,regionalandstatewideeconomies.The combinedbenefitsofalloftheactionsinthisplanwillcontributetomorereliablewater supplies. 1

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

Waterscarcity/droughtCaliforniashydrologyhasalwayshadextendeddryperiods.Muchof Californiaswatersystemwasoriginallyplannedtowithstandasevenyeardryperiodwithout severedamagetotheeconomyandenvironment.Thatoriginalvisionwasnotsustainable,and todaysomeregionsandmanycommunitiesstruggletomaintainadequatewatersuppliesafter onlyayearortwoofdryconditions.Climatechangewillmakethissituationevenmore challenging.Improvingourabilitytomanagescarcewatersuppliesandbettercoordinate operationsofmajorreservoirsisessentialtoeconomicandenvironmentalsustainability.Taking actiontoaddressdroughtisespeciallyurgentforagriculturewherecropswitherwithoutwater, andtheworldspopulationgrowthandfooddemandcreatesfoodsecurityconcerns.Effective statepreparednessreducesimpactsofshortagesandlessensthecostsofstateresponse actions.Theactionsidentifiedthroughoutthisplanarespecificallydesignedtohelpsecure morereliablewatersuppliesandconsequentlyimprovedroughtpreparedness. DeclininggroundwaterbasinsGroundwateraccountsformorethanonethirdofthewater usedbycitiesandfarmsmuchmoreindryyears,whenothersourcesarecutback. Unfortunately,muchofCaliforniasgroundwaterisnotsustainablymanaged.Climatechangeis exacerbatingongoingproblemswithgroundwaterresourcesinCalifornia,includingoverdraft, seawaterintrusion,landsubsidence,andwaterqualitydegradation.Takingmorethanis returnedlowersgroundwaterlevelswhichmakespumpingmoreexpensiveandenergy intensive.Italsoservestomobilizetoxinsthatimpairwaterqualityandcauseslandsubsidence, whichdamagesinfrastructureandpermanentlydiminishesthecapacitytostorewaterforthe future.Landsubsidenceduetogroundwateroverdraftisimpossibletoreverse.Wellmanaged groundwaterhasthepotentialtobufferagainsttheimpactsofclimatechangeonourwater resources.TheactionsidentifiedinthisplanwillmoveCaliforniatowardbettermanagementof ourgroundwaterresources. PoorwaterqualityMillionsofCaliforniansrely,atleastinpart,oncontaminatedgroundwater fortheirdrinkingwater.Whilemostwaterpurveyorsblendortreatthewatertomeetpublic healthstandards,manydisadvantagedcommunitiescannotaffordtodoso.Inaddition, domesticwellsarerapidlydryingup.AllCalifornianshavearighttosafe,clean,affordableand accessiblewateradequateforhumanconsumption,cooking,andsanitarypurposes.Safewater isnecessaryforpublichealthandcommunityprosperity.Theactionsinthisplanwillimprove theorganizationofourwaterqualityprogramsandcreatenewtoolstohelpensurethatevery Californianhasaccesstosafewater. DecliningnativefishspeciesandlossofwildlifehabitatCaliforniasoncerobustnativefish populationsareatornearhistoriclows.Federalandstatefishagenciesnowlistmanyspeciesof salmonandotherfishasendangeredandthreatened.Wildlifehabitatisalsobeinglostata rapidpace.Californiasdiverseanduniqueecosystemsareirreplaceableandarepartofthe complexsystemthatprovidesandprotectsCaliforniaswaterresources.Tourismandfishing, reliantonhealthyecosystems,alsoprovideeconomicbenefitstolocalcommunitiesandtothe state.Theactionsdefinedinthisplanincludeaggressiveecosystemrestorationandother actionsthatwillrestorefishpopulationsandbenefitotherwildlife.

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

FloodsOver7millionCaliforniansliveinafloodplain.Ourstatescapital,Sacramento,hasone ofthelowestlevelsoffloodprotectionofanymajorcityinthenation.Climatechangewill exacerbatethisproblembecausemoreprecipitationwillfallasrainratherthansnow,snowmelt willbefasterandearlierandtherewillbemoreextremeweatherevents.Thereisagreatdeal tobedonetoimprovefloodprotectionforexistingcommunitiesandinfrastructure.Theactions inthisplanwillcoordinateandstreamlinefloodprojectsandidentifynewsourcesoffunding. SupplydisruptionsManypartsofCaliforniaswatersystemarevulnerabletoearthquakesand flooding,particularlytheDelta,whichservesastheconveyancehubforasubstantialpercentage ofallwatersuppliesintheBayArea,theSanJoaquinValley,andSouthernCalifornia.Alarge earthquakealonganyoffivemajorfaultsoramajorstorminducedleveefailurecouldrender thiswatersupplyunusableforurbanandagriculturalneedsformonths.Thecombinedbenefits ofalloftheactionsinthisplanwillbetterprepareustomanagethroughpotentialdisruptionsin thesystem.

Populationgrowthandclimatechangefurtherincreasetheseverityoftheserisks.Thestatespopulationis projectedtogrowfrom37millionto50millionby2049.1 Theeffectsofclimatechangearealreadybeingfeltandwillworsen.Risingairtemperaturesandairpollution mayalreadybedecreasingtheSierrasnowpack,reducingnaturalwaterstorage,andalteringwinterandspring floodflows.Higherriverandoceanwatertemperatureswillmakeithardertomaintainadequatehabitatfor nativefishspecies.Higheroceantemperatureswillalterthealreadychangingweatherpatterns.Sealevelrise threatenscoastalcommunitiesandislandsintheDelta.Sealevelrisealsoamplifiestheriskthatthepumpsthat supplycitiesandfarmswithDeltawaterwillbeinundatedwithseawaterinalargeearthquakeorstormsthat breachlevees.Morefrequentandmoreseveredryperiodswillthreatenthehealthofournaturalsystemsand ourabilitytomeetourdiversewatersupplyandwaterqualityneeds. Fortunately,despitethesechallenges,thereisgoodprogresstoreport.State,regional,andlocalagencieshave increasinglybeenpursuingastrategyofmakingregionsmoreselfreliantbydevelopingneworunderusedwater resourceslocally.Inthefuture,mostnewwaterwillcomefromacombinationofimprovedconservationand wateruseefficiency,conjunctiveuse(coordinatedmanagementoflocalsurfaceandgroundwater),recycled water,drinkingwatertreatment,groundwaterremediation,anddesalination.Agenciesarealsofocusingon projectswithmultiplebenefits,suchasstormwatercaptureandfloodplainreconnection,thatcanhelp simultaneouslyimprovetheenvironment,floodmanagement,andwatersupplies.Thesediversifiedlocalwater portfolioswillrelievepressureonfoundationalsuppliesandmakecommunitiesmoreresilientagainstdrought andclimatechange.

1 http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/reports/projections/view.phpCaliforniaspopulationwillcrossthe50millionmarkin
2049andgrowtonearly52.7millionby2060.

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

Reliability, Restoration, and Resilience
Theactionsoutlinedherearebasedonthreebroadobjectives:morereliablewatersupplies,therestorationof importantspeciesandhabitat,andamoreresilient,sustainablymanagedwatersystemandenvironmentthat canbetterwithstandinevitablepressuresinthecomingdecades.Theseactionsreflectanintegrationofnew ideaswiththeimportantworkthatstateagenciesarealreadyengagedin.Together,theseactionsaddressthe mostpressingwaterissuesthatCaliforniafaceswhilelayingthegroundworkforasustainableandresilient future.Alloftheseactionsrequirecoordinationandcollaborationacrosslevelsofgovernment.Together,inthe nextfiveyears,wemust: 1. MakeconservationaCaliforniawayoflife; 2. Investinintegratedwatermanagementandincreaseregionalselfreliance; 3. AchievethecoequalgoalsfortheDelta; 4. Protectandrestoreimportantecosystems; 5. Manageandpreparefordryperiods; 6. Expandwaterstoragecapacity; 7. Providesafedrinkingwaterandsecurewastewatersystemstoallcommunities; 8. Increasefloodprotection; 9. Improveoperationalandregulatoryefficiency; 10. Identifysustainableandintegratedfinancingopportunities. Thislistisnotcomprehensive.Therearethousandsofimportantprojectsthatarebeingplannedor implementedbyalllevelsofgovernmentaswellasbyconservationists,farmers,wateragencies,andothers. Thisfactunderscoresthebreadthandcomplexityofmanagingourwaterresources.But,theseareessential actionsthatCaliforniacantakeinthenextfiveyearstosetthestateontherightcourse.Theseactionswill,in manycases,requirecollaborationbetweenstate,federalandlocalgovernments,regionalagencies,Native Americantribes,thepublic,andtheprivatesector.TheLegislatureisalsoakeypartner.Waterhasalwaysbeen amongCaliforniasmostcontentiousissues.Onlybyworkingtogether,canweimprovethestateswaterfuture forgenerationstocome.

Actions
1. MAKECONSERVATIONACALIFORNIAWAYOFLIFE Californianscannottaketheirwatersupplyforgranted,andmustadoptconservationaspartoftheirdailylives. In2009,thestateadoptedtheWaterConservationAct,throughthepassageofSenateBill7x7,whichrequires thatweachievea20percentreductioninurbanpercapitawaterusebyDecember31,2020,promotes expandeddevelopmentofsustainablewatersuppliesattheregionallevel,andrequiresagriculturalwater managementplansandefficientwatermanagementpracticesforagriculturalwatersuppliers.TheWater ConservationActalsorequiresthatwemakeincrementalprogresstowardsthisgoalbyreducingpercapita waterusebyatleast10percentbyDecember31,2015.Wemustcontinuetobuildonourexistingeffortsto conservewater,andpromotetheinnovationofnewsystemsforincreasedwaterconservation. ExpandAgriculturalandUrbanWaterConservationandEfficiencytoExceedSB7X7Targets TheAdministrationwillexpandexistingprogramstoprovidetechnicalassistance,shareddataand information,andincentivestourbanandagriculturallocalwateragencies,aswellaslocalgovernmental agencies,toenableagriculturalandurbanwaterconservationinexcessoftheamountsenvisionedbySB 7X7. 4

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

ProvideFundingforConservationandEfficiency TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetoexpandfundingforurbanandagriculturalwateruse efficiencyresearch,developmentandimplementationthroughexistingprograms.Theadministration willgiveprioritytofundingintegratedmanagementplansthatincluderobustexistingorproposedwater conservationmeasures.Conservationprogramsmustincludenumerictargets. IncreaseCoordinatedWaterEnergyEfficiency Theadministrationwillpromoteregionalandlocalprojectsthatimprovetheefficiencyofhowwateris pumped,transported,treated,andused.Theseactionswillsavewater,energy,andmoney. PromoteLocalConservationOrdinances TheCityofLosAngelesprohibitscertaintypesofwateruseforallofitscitizensinanefforttoconserve water.Examplesoftheprohibitedwateruseinclude:wateringofanyhardsurfacessuchassidewalks, walkways,drivewaysorparkingareas;outdoorwateringduringperiodsofrain;andservingwaterto customersinrestaurantsunlessspecificallyrequested.Othercitiesshouldfollowthisexampleand considerwaystheircommunitiescanreducewaterusage.

2. INCREASEREGIONALSELFRELIANCEANDINTEGRATEWATERMANAGEMENTACROSSALLLEVELSOF GOVERNMENT WhileCaliforniahasavaststateandfederalmanagedinfrastructuretostoreanddeliverwatermilesfromits origin,themajorityofinfrastructure,management,andinvestmentresideatthelocalandregionallevels. Sometimesthatmanagementcomesintheformofregionalmultiissueagenciesdealingwithfloodcontrol, watersupply,andwaterquality.Othertimes,individualagenciesdealwiththoseissuesseparately.Overthe pastdecade,thestatehasassistedregionsincomingtogetherinwhatisknownasIntegratedWater ManagementPlanning,wheremultipleentitiescreatearegionalplanthatintegrateslocalagencywater managementinfrastructureandoperationstocreatenewefficienciesandservemultiplepurposes.Stategrants areprovidedtoincentivizebothregionalintegrationandtoleveragelocalfinancialinvestment. Ensuringwatersecurityatthelocallevelincludeseffortstoconserveandusewatermoreefficiently,toprotect orcreatehabitatforlocalspecies,torecyclewaterforreuse,tocaptureandtreatstormwaterforreuse,andto removesaltsandcontaminantsfrombrackishorcontaminatedwaterorfromseawater.But,mostlyitrequires integratingdisparateorindividualgovernmenteffortsintoonecombinedregionalcommitmentwherethesum becomesgreaterthananysinglepiece. SupportandExpandFundingforIntegratedWaterManagementPlanningandProjects TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetoenhancetheIntegratedWaterManagementPlanning program.Providingfundingforlocallydriven,multibenefitprojectsiscritical.Theadministrationwilltarget fundingtolocalprojectsthatincreaseregionalselfrelianceandresultinintegrated,multibenefitsolutions forensuringsustainablewaterresources. UpdateLandUsePlanningGuidelines TheGovernorsOfficeofPlanningandResearchwillengagelocallanduseauthoritiesandwateragencies andamendthegeneralplanguidelinestopromotelocallandusedecisionsthatareconsistentwithlocal sustainablewatermanagement. 5

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

LegislationforLocalSelfReliance TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetoencouragelocalgovernmentstoadoptoramendlocal ordinancesthatenhancelocalwatersupplyreliabilityandconservation,suchasordinancesthatestablish minimumrequirementsforinfiltrationofwaterintothegroundwatertable,detectionandpreventionof utilitysystemleaks,landscapingmeasures,andindoor/outdoorwateruseefficiencystandards. DemonstrateStateLeadership Allstateagenciesshouldtakealeadershiproleindesigningnewandretrofittedstateownedandleased facilitiestoincreasewaterefficiency,userecycledwater,andincorporatestormwaterrunoffcaptureand lowimpactdevelopmentstrategies. ProvideAssistancetoDisadvantagedCommunities Theadministrationwillprovidetechnicalassistance,tools,andallocatededicatedfundsforgrant administration,projectdevelopmentandstakeholdercollaborationtounderrepresentedandeconomically disadvantagedcommunitiestopromotegreaterparticipationandsuccessinregionalgrantprograms. EncourageStateFocusonProjectswithMultipleBenefits Theadministrationwilldirectrelevantagenciesanddepartmentstoevaluateexistingprogramsandpropose modificationstoincentivize,recognize,andcofundmultibenefitprojectsandintegratedwater managementplanning,suchasstormwaterpermittingforcitiesandcounties. IncreasetheUseofRecycledWater Californianeedsmorehighqualitywaterandrecyclingisthekeytogettingthere.Thestatewilladopt uniformwaterrecyclingcriteriaforindirectpotablereuseofrecycledwaterforgroundwaterrecharge,and developcriteriafordirectpotablereuse(surfacewateraugmentation). StreamlinePermittingforLocalWaterReuseorEnhancementProjects Theadministrationwillreviewandproposemeasurestostreamlinepermittingforlocalprojectsthatmake betteruseoflocalwatersuppliessuchasrecycling,stormwatercapture,anddesalinationofbrackishand seawater.

3. ACHIEVETHECOEQUALGOALSFORTHEDELTA TheDeltaisCalifornia'smajorcollectionpointforwater,servingtwothirdsofourstate'spopulationand providingirrigationwaterformillionsofacresoffarmland.Theregionsupportsfarming,wetlandandriparian habitats,aswellasnumerousfishandwildlifespecies.Inrecentyears,importantfishpopulationshavedeclined dramatically,leadingtohistoricrestrictionsonwatersupplydeliveries.Moreover,thecurrentsystemrelieson waterflowingthroughanetworkoffragileleveesfromthenorthernpartoftheDeltatothepumpsinthesouth, wheretwooutofthreefishtrappednearthepumpsdie.Theseleveeswerenotdesignedtoresistasignificant seismicevent,theprobabilityofwhichisgreaterthan60percentoverthenext50years.Theyarealso vulnerabletomajorfloodsandrisingsealevels,allofwhichputsunacceptableriskonthepeoplewholiveinthe Deltaaswellasthewatersupplyfor25millionpeopleand3millionacresoffarmland.Plansareunderwayto addresstheseproblems.Theissuesarecontentiousandhavebeenfordecades.But,thestatusquointheDelta isunacceptableanditwouldbeirresponsibletowaitforfurtherdegradationoranaturaldisasterbeforetaking action. 6

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

TheDeltaStewardshipCouncilwascreatedinlegislationtoachievethestatemandatedcoequalgoalsof providingamorereliablewatersupplyforCaliforniaandtoprotect,restore,andenhancetheDeltaecosystem. Thosetwogoalsaretobeachievedinamannerthatprotectsandenhancestheuniquecultural,recreational, naturalresource,andagriculturalvaluesoftheDeltaasanevolvingplace.ThecouncilrecentlyadopteditsDelta Planandwillestablishahighlevelinteragencycoordinatingbodytocommenceimplementationofasuiteof actionsdesignedtoachievethecoequalgoals.TheImplementationCommitteecanplayastrongroleinmoving forwardontheactionsincludedinthisplan,whichincludeandbuildonmanyoftheprioritiesincludedinthe councilsDeltaPlan. BeginImplementationoftheDeltaPlan TheadministrationdirectsallofitsrelevantagenciestofullyparticipateintheImplementationCommittee establishedbytheDeltaStewardshipCouncil. CompleteComprehensivePlanstoRecoverPopulationsofThreatenedandEndangeredSpeciesinthe DeltaandImproveWaterSupplyReliabilityforUsersofDeltaWater Stateandfederalagencieswillcompleteplanningforacomprehensiveconservationstrategyaimedat protectingdozensofspeciesoffishandwildlifeintheDelta,whilepermittingthereliableoperationof California'stwobiggestwaterdeliveryprojects.TheBayDeltaConservationPlan(BDCP)wouldhelpsecure Californiaswatersupplybybuildingnewwaterdeliveryinfrastructureandoperatingthesystemtoimprove theecologicalhealthoftheDelta.Itwouldalsorestoreorprotectapproximately145,000acresofhabitatto addresstheDeltasenvironmentalchallenges.TheBDCPismadeupofspecificactions,calledconservation measures,toimprovetheDeltaecosystem.Itincludes22conservationmeasuresaimedatimprovingwater operations,protectingwatersuppliesandwaterquality,andrestoringtheDeltaecosystemwithinastable regulatoryframework.Theprojectwillbeguidedby214specificbiologicalgoalsandobjectives,improved science,andanadaptivemanagementapproachforoperatingthewaterconveyancefacilitiesand implementingotherconservationmeasuresincludinghabitatrestorationandprogramstoaddressother stressors.AstheDeltaecosystemimprovesinresponsetotheimplementationoftheconservation measures,wateroperationswouldbecomemorereliable,offeringsecurewatersuppliesfor25million Californians,anagriculturalindustrythatfeedsmillions,andathrivingeconomy. Stateandfederalagencieswillcompletethestateandfederalenvironmentalreviewdocuments;seek approvaloftheBDCPbythestateandfederalfisheryagencies;secureallpermitsrequiredtoimplementthe BDCP;finalizeafinancingplan;completethedesignofBDCPfacilities;and,beginimplementationofall conservationmeasuresandmitigationmeasures,includingconstructionofwaterconveyance improvements.OncetheBDCPispermitted,itwillbecomepartoftheDeltaPlan. RestoreDeltaAquaticandIntertidalHabitat IncoordinationwithrestorationproposedbytheBDCP,aspecificsetofprojectsoracreageforrestoration willbeidentifiedinthesixpriorityareaslistedintheDeltaPlan:(1)YoloBypass;(2)CacheSloughComplex; (3)theconfluenceoftheCosumnesandMokelumnerivers;(4)thelowerSanJoaquinRiverfloodplain;(5) SuisunMarsh;and,(6)westernDelta/easternContraCostaCounty.TheDepartmentofWaterResources,in consultationandcoordinationwiththeDepartmentofFishandWildlife,theDeltaScienceProgram,andthe DeltaPlanImplementationCommitteewillinitiateprojectstorestore8,000acresofintertidaland associatedsubtidalhabitatintheDeltaandSuisunMarsh. 7

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

ImplementNearTermDeltaImprovementProjects IncoordinationwithrestorationproposedinBDCP,theDepartmentofWaterResourceswillinitiatea projecttoremovefishpassagebarrierswithintheYoloBypassandmodifytheFremontWeirtoincreasethe amountandqualityoffishrearinghabitatbyimprovingaccesstoseasonalfloodplainhabitat. MaintainImportantInfrastructure TheDepartmentofWaterResourceswillcontinueimplementationoftheDeltaLeveesSubventions,Delta SpecialProjects,andFloodwayCorridorProgramstoprovidefinancialassistancetolocalagenciesforrepair andimprovementofleveesandothermultipurposeprojectsintheDelta. BayDeltaWaterQualityControlPlan TheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(StateWaterBoard)willcompleteitsupdateoftheWaterQuality ControlPlanfortheDeltaanditsupstreamwatersheds.Theplanestablishesbothregulatoryrequirements andrecommendedactions.TheStateWaterBoardsactionwillbalancecompetingusesofwaterincluding, municipalandagriculturalsupply,hydropower,fisheryprotection,recreation,andotheruses. 4. PROTECTANDRESTOREIMPORTANTECOSYSTEMS Streamsandriversonceranfreelyfromhighinthemountainstodownstreamreaches,meanderingnaturally throughlowlandandfloodplainhabitats,connectingwithcoastalestuariesandthePacificOcean.Thevariability ofnaturalwaterflowsinthiscomplexsystemcreatedvibrantandresilienthabitatformanyspeciesand functionedtostorewater,rechargegroundwater,naturallypurifywater,andmoderateflooding.Over80 percentoftheCentralValleyshistoricalfloodplain,riparian,andseasonalwetlandhabitatshavebeenlostinthe last150years.ThislossaffectsthephysicalandecologicalprocessesoftheCentralValleyandbeyond, contributestothedeclineofsalmonandsteelhead,restrictshabitatforwaterfowlandotherspecies,and impactswatersupply,floodprotection,andsedimentcontrol.Inwatershedsaroundthestate,fishandwildlife nolongerhaveaccesstohabitatorenoughcold,cleanwateratkeytimesoftheyear.Inresponsetothese lossesandecologicalchallenges,aswellasinanticipationoftheeffectsofclimatechangeonthetiming,volume andtemperatureofwaterflows,activitiestoprotectandrestoretheresiliencyofourecosystemswillhelp supportfishandwildlifepopulations,improvewaterquality,andrestorenaturalsystemfunctions.Thiseffort willincreasecollaborationandtransparencyandensurethatmanagementdecisionsaresupportedbythebest availablescience. RestoreKeyMountainMeadowHabitat TheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeincoordinationwithotherstateresourceagencieswillrestore10,000 acresofmountainmeadowhabitatinstrategiclocationsintheSierraNevadaandCascademountainranges, whichcanincreasegroundwaterstorageandprovidehabitatformorethan100nativespecies,manyof whichareatriskasthreatenedorendangered. BringBackSalmontotheSanJoaquinRiver TheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeandtheDepartmentofWaterResourceswillleadtheefforttoachieve thestategoalofrestoringflowstotheSanJoaquinRiverfromFriantDamtotheconfluenceoftheMerced River,andbringingbackanaturallyreproducing,selfsustainingChinooksalmonfisherywhilereducingor avoidingadversewatersupplyimpacts.ChinookwillbereintroducedpursuanttotheSanJoaquinRiver RestorationProgram,andtheDepartmentofFishandWildlifewillcompleteconstructionofthe conservationhatcheryandresearchfacility.TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislatureandothersto securefurtherfundingasnecessarytoachievetheseactivitiesandtherestorationgoal. 8

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

ProtectKeyHabitatoftheSaltonSeaThroughLocalPartnership TheNaturalResourcesAgency,inpartnershipwiththeSaltonSeaAuthority,willcoordinatestate,local,and federalrestorationeffortsandworkwithlocalstakeholderstodevelopasharedvisionforthefutureofthe SaltonSea.TheSaltonSeaisoneofthemostimportantmigratorybirdflywaysinNorthAmericaandis immediatelythreatenedwithreducedinflowsandincreasingsalinity.TheDepartmentofFishandWildlife andtheDepartmentofWaterResourceswillbeginimmediatelytoimplementthefirstphaseofthiseffort withtheconstructionof600acresofnearshoreaquatichabitattoprovidefeeding,nesting,andbreeding habitatforbirds.Thisprojectispermittedtoincreaseto3,600acresandcouldbescaledevengreaterwith additionalresources.Concurrently,theNaturalResourcesAgencyandtheSaltonSeaAuthorityare developingaroadmapfortheSaltonSeathatwillevaluateadditionalrestorationprojectsandidentify economicdevelopmentopportunitiesthroughrenewableenergydevelopment. ContinueRestorationEffortsintheKlamathBasin TheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeandtheNaturalResourcesAgencywillcontinuetoworkwithdiverse stakeholderstoimplementtheKlamathBasinrestorationandsettlementagreements.Thoseagreements includemeasurestoimprovewaterqualityintheKlamathRiver,restoreanadromousfishruns,including ChinookandCohosalmon,andimprovewaterreliabilityforagriculturalandotherusesbyprovidinga droughtplanningmechanismforlowwateryears.TheadministrationwillworkwithCongresstosecurethe necessaryfederalauthorizationsfortheagreementsandsecurethenecessaryfundingforremovaloffour hydroelectricdamsontheKlamathRiverandfundingforthenecessarybasinrestoration. RestoreCoastalWatersheds TheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeincoordinationwithotherstateresourceagencieswilldevelopatleast 10offchannelstorageprojects,modernizeatleast50streamcrossings,andimplementatleast10large scalehabitatprojectsalongtheCaliforniacoastinstrategiccoastalestuariestorestoreecologicalhealthand naturalsystemconnectivity,whichwillbenefitlocalwatersystemsandhelpdefendagainstsealevelrise. WaterforWetlandsandWaterfowl TheDepartmentofFishandWildlifeincoordinationwithotherstateresourceagencieswilldevelopand implementawateracquisition,management,andwateruseefficiencystrategyincoordinationwiththeU.S. FishandWildlifeService,U.S.BureauofReclamation,CentralValleyProjectImprovementActrefugewater program,andCentralValleyJointVenturetosecurereliableandaffordablewaterformanagedwetlands statewide.TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislature,andothers,tosecurefundingtoacquirewater andtoreplaceorrepairthemostinneedconveyancesfordeliveringwaterforwetlands. EliminateBarrierstoFishMigration Thisactionhasthreeparts.First,incoordinationwiththeCentralValleyProjectImprovementAct AnadromousFishScreenProgram,theDepartmentofFishandWildlifewillcreateandpublishaPriority UnscreenedDiversionListintheCentralValleyarea.Second,theadministrationwillworkwiththe Legislature,andothers,tosecurefundingtoinstallorrepairthetop10unscreeneddiversionsonthe prioritylistdescribedabove.Third,insmallerwatershedsaroundthestate,theDepartmentofFishand Wildlifewillcompleteacomprehensiveanalysis,workingwithotherstateresourcesagencies,tooptimize barrierremovalprojectsandriverandstreampriorities,andthencomplete10culvertandbridge improvementandsmalldamremovalprojectsannuallytoprovideanadromousfishspeciesaccessto historicspawningandrearinghabitat. 9

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

AssessFishPassageatLargeDams TheDepartmentofFishandWildlife,incoordinationwithstateandfederalresourceagencies,willdevelopa strategicevaluationprocessforaddressingfishpassageforCaliforniasrimdamsanddevelopsixrimdam solutionplans.RimdamsarethelargedamsatthebaseofmostmajorriversystemsinCalifornia.Theyare toointegraltoCaliforniaswaterinfrastructuretoconsiderremoving,but,wherefeasible,passagearound therimdamsmaybenecessarytorecoversalmonandsteelhead,because95percentofthehistorical habitatforthesefishisabovethedams.

EnhanceWaterFlowsinStreamSystemsStatewide TheStateWaterBoardandtheDepartmentofFishandWildlifewillimplementasuiteofindividualand coordinatedadministrativeeffortstoenhanceflowsstatewideinatleastfivestreamsystemsthatsupport criticalhabitatforanadromousfish.Theseactionsincludedevelopingdefensible,costeffective,andtime sensitiveapproachestoestablishinstreamflowsusingsoundscienceandthroughapubliclytransparent process,takingactionsnecessarytomaintainfishingoodconditionthroughauthoritiessuchasFishand GameCodesection5937,andpromotingoffstreamwaterstorage.

5. MANAGEANDPREPAREFORDRYPERIODS

WatersupplyreliabilityiscriticaltomaintainingCaliforniaseconomy.Temporaryshortagescausedtodayby extended,severedryperiodswillbecomemorefrequentwithclimatechange.Effectivemanagementofwater resourcesthroughallhydrologicconditionswillreduceimpactsofshortagesandlessencostsofstateresponse actions.Manyactionswillhelptosecuremorereliablewatersuppliesandconsequentlyimprovedrought preparedness.Theactionsidentifiedbelowarespecificallydesignedtoaddressdroughtconditionsandmake Californiaswatersystemmoreresilient.

ReviseOperationstoRespondtoExtremeConditions Statenaturalresourcesandwaterqualityagencies,incollaborationwiththeirfederalcounterparts,will implementaseriesofadministrativesolutionsthroughatransparentprocesstomakewaterdelivery decisionsandproposeoptionstoaddresswaterqualityandsupplyobjectivesinextremeconditions. Throughthesestateagencies,theadministrationwillexercisethemaximumadministrativediscretionand flexibilitypossibletoaddressthecurrentdryconditionsnowandinto2014.Especiallyindrought conditions,adaptivemanagementcanhavesubstantialfishery,waterquality,andwatersupplybenefits. Theidentificationofsuchopportunitiesrequirescontinuedimprovedwaterforecastingandpromptinter andintraagencycoordinationandcommunication.Italsorequiresaneffectivecoordinationmechanism involvingtheDepartmentofWaterResources,theBureauofReclamation,theStateWaterProjectandthe CentralValleyProjectcontractors,thestateandfederalfisheryagencies,andtheStateWaterBoard,ata minimum.

StreamlineWaterTransfers Stateagencies,incollaborationwiththeirfederalcounterparts,willtakeallfeasiblestepstostreamline watertransferprocessestoaddressbothextremesituationsandnormalsystemoperations.Theseinclude refiningthescheduleforthewatertransfersprocess;improvingoutreachinsupportoflocalwatertransfer programs;formingworkgroupstoprioritizetechnicalissuesanddefinespecificobjectivestoaddressreal watersupply,cumulativeimpacts,andthirdpartyimpacts;preparingatechnicalinformationguideforthose intendingtoproposewatertransferproposals;and,identifyingandevaluatingmeasurestosimplifythe transferprocessandreducethecostoftransfers.Thisactionwillnotfocussolelyonadditionalprocessat theexpenseofimplementingsimplemeasuressuchasidentifyingasingleagencypointofcontact,assigning dedicatedstafftoamultiagencyreviewteam,andregularcoordinationwithtransferapplicantstoresolve conflicts. 10

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

6. EXPANDWATERSTORAGECAPACITY Onaverage,thestatereceivesabout200millionacrefeetofwaterperyearintheformofrainandsnow.In reality,theaveragerarelyoccurs,asCaliforniahasthemostvariableweatherconditionsinthenationand climatechangemayincreasethevariability.Todealwiththischallenge,storage,whethersurfacestorageor groundwaterstorage,isamethodtosavewaterwhenitflowsheavilyforuseattimeswhenitdoesnotand creategreaterflexibilityinthesystem.Aboveground,orsurfacestorage,canbeintheformoflargeonstream damsandreservoirs,orsmalleronstreamandoffstreamreservoirs.Groundwaterstorageconsistsof replenishinggroundwaterbasinseitherdirectlythroughinjection,orbyallowingwatertopercolateintothe groundnaturallyorfromconstructedspreadingbasins.Constructingsurfacestoragecanbechallengingfor environmentalorfinancialreasons.Developinggroundwaterstoragecanbechallengingbecausemanybasins arecontaminatedandthismethodofstoragealsorequiresanabilitytomeasureandwithdrawwater. Thebottomlineisthatweneedtoexpandourstatesstoragecapacity,whethersurfaceorgroundwater, whetherbigorsmall.Today,weneedmorestoragetodealwiththeeffectsofdroughtandclimatechangeon watersuppliesforbothhumanandecosystemneeds.Climatechangewillbringmorefrequentdrought conditionsandcouldreducebyhalfourlargestnaturalstoragesystemtheSierrasnowpackasmore precipitationfallsasrainratherthansnow,andassnowmeltsearlierandmorerapidly.Moreover,wemust bettermanageourgroundwaterbasinstoreversealarmingdeclinesingroundwaterlevels,leadingtoland subsidence,whichisirreversibleonceitoccurs,poorwaterquality,ecosystemimpacts,andthepermanentloss ofcapacitytostorewaterasgroundwater. Foroveradecade,wehavebeenworkingonfeasibilitystudiesforlargesurfacestorageprojectsthataredueto becompletedbyyearsend.Theseprojectsfacebothenvironmentalchallengesandfinancialchallenges.But, thebiggestobstaclemaybefindingcommittedfinancialpartnerswhowillbenefitfromtheprojectstosharein theircost. Publicwateragencieshavebeenreluctanttopartnerwiththefederalandstategovernmenttobuildnewwater storageprojectsinpartbecauseoftheuncertaintyinvolvedinmovingwateracrosstheDelta.Thenew conveyancesystemproposedintheBayDeltaConservationPlanwouldprovidemorewaterprojectoperational flexibility,whichinturnwouldeventuallyeliminatesomeofthatuncertaintyandincreasethefeasibilityof additionalwaterstorage.Partnershipstobuildadditionalwaterstoragepresumablywouldfollow. Demandforwatergoeswellbeyondwatersupplyandfloodcontrol,thetraditionalpurposesforwhich Californiasmajorreservoirswerebuilt.Today,waterstorageisalsoneededtohelpprovidewidespreadpublic andenvironmentalbenefits,suchasseasonalfishflows,improvedwaterquality,watercoolenoughtosustain salmon,andincreasedflexibilitytomeetmultipledemands.Thefinancingofadditionalwaterstoragein Californiamustreflectnotjustspecificlocalbenefits,butalsothosebroaderpublicbenefits. SupportFundingPartnershipsforStorageProjects TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetomakefundingavailabletoshareinthecostofstorage projectsiffundingpartnersstepforward.Thestatewillfacilitateamongwillinglocalpartnersand stakeholdersthedevelopmentoffinanceable,multibenefitstorageprojects. 11

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

UpdateBulletin118,CaliforniasGroundwaterPlan TheDepartmentofWaterResources,inconsultationwiththeBureauofReclamation,U.S.Geological Survey,theStateWaterResourcesControlBoard,andotheragenciesandstakeholdersshouldupdate Bulletin118informationusingfielddata,CaliforniaStatewideGroundwaterElevationMonitoring(CASGEM), groundwateragencyreports,satelliteimagery,andotherbestavailablescience,sothatthisinformationcan beincludedinthenextCaliforniaWaterPlanUpdateandbeavailableforinclusioninfutureurbanwater managementplansandagriculturalwatermanagementplans.TheBulletin118updateshouldincludea systematicevaluationofmajorgroundwaterbasinstodeterminesustainableyieldandoverdraftstatus;a projectionofCaliforniasgroundwaterresourcesin20yearsifcurrentgroundwatermanagementtrends remainunchanged;anticipatedimpactsofclimatechangeonsurfacewaterandgroundwaterresources;and recommendationsforstate,federal,andlocalactionstoimprovegroundwatermanagement.Inaddition, theBulletin118updateshouldidentifygroundwaterbasinsthatareinacriticalconditionofoverdraft. SupportDistributedGroundwaterStorage Theadministrationwillsupportacomprehensiveapproachtolocalandregionalgroundwatermanagement byfundingdistributedgroundwaterstorageprojectsthatareidentifiedingroundwatermanagementplans andremovingbarrierstoimplementation. ImproveSustainableGroundwaterManagement Whenwellmanaged,groundwaterhasthepotentialtobeabuffertotheimpactsofclimatechangeonour watersystem.TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetoensurethatlocalagencieshavethe incentives,tools,authority,andguidancetodevelopandenforcelocalandregionalmanagementplansthat protectgroundwaterelevationsandquality.Theadministrationwilltakesteps,includingsponsoring legislationifnecessary;todefinelocalresponsibilitiesandtogivelocalagenciestheauthoritynecessaryto managegroundwatersustainablyandensurenogroundwaterbasinisindangerofbeingpermanently damagedbyoverdrafting.Whenabasinisatriskofpermanentdamage,and,afterhavingbeenprovided theneededauthority,localagenciesdonotmakesufficientprogresstocorrecttheprobleminatimely manner;thestateshouldhavecarefullydefinedauthoritytoprotectthebasinanditsusersuntilan adequatelocalprogramisestablished. AccelerateCleanupofContaminatedGroundwaterandPreventFutureContamination Throughoutthestate,groundwaterbasinsarecontaminatedbyhistoricmanufacturingandfarming practices.Thiswaterisanimportantresourceinitselfforthefuture,andthesebasinswillbecriticalstorage repositoriesinthefuture.TheDepartmentofToxicSubstancesControlandtheStateWaterBoardwill developrecommendationstopreventthespreadofcontamination,acceleratecleanupsandprotect drinkingwater. 7. PROVIDESAFEWATERFORALLCOMMUNITIES AllCalifornianshavearighttosafe,clean,affordableandaccessiblewateradequateforhuman consumption,cooking,andsanitarypurposes.Disadvantagedcommunities,inparticular,oftenstruggleto provideanadequatesupplyofsafe,affordabledrinkingwater.Thereasonsforthisarenumerous:changes indrinkingwaterqualitystandards,pollution,aginginfrastructure,lackoffundingforbasicinfrastructure, lackoffundingforongoingoperationandmaintenance,andunreliablesuppliesresultinginservice interruptionsareamongthemostcommon.Programsdesignedtoprotectthequalityofourwatersfor drinkingandotherusesarehousedinmultipleagencies,reducingtheireffectivenessandabilitytomeet communitiesneeds. 12

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

ConsolidateWaterQualityPrograms Theadministrationispursuingconsolidationofthedrinkingwaterandsurfaceandgroundwaterquality programsintoasingleagencytoachievebroaderprogramefficienciesandsynergiesthatwillbestposition thestatetorespondtoexistingandfuturechallenges.Thisinitiativewillalsobetterrestoreandprotect waterqualityandpublichealthfordisadvantagedcommunities. ProvideFundingAssistanceforVulnerableCommunities TheadministrationwillworkwiththeLegislaturetoestablishastable,longtermfundingsourcefor provisionofsafedrinkingwaterandsecurewastewatersystemsfordisadvantagedcommunities.The fundingwillbemadeavailablethroughaframeworkofstatutoryauthoritiesforthestate,regional organizations,andcountyagenciesthatwillassessalternativesforprovidingsafedrinkingwaterand wastewater,includingregionalconsolidation,andtodevelop,design,implement,operate,andmanage thesesystemsforsmalldisadvantagedcommunitiesimpactedbycontaminateddrinkingwaterandlackof sanitarywastewaterinfrastructure. ManagetheSupplyStatusofCommunityWaterSystems Thestatewillidentifydroughtvulnerablepublicwatersystemsandmonitorthestatusofthesesystemsto helppreventormitigateanyanticipatedshortfallsinsupplyandtosecurealternativesourcesofwaterfor thecommunitieswhenneeded.Thestatewillalsoworkwithlocalgovernmentsandagenciestoidentify droughtvulnerableareasservedbydomesticwellsandcollaboratetopreventormitigateanyanticipated shortfalls. 8. IMPROVEFLOODPROTECTION Californiasexposuretofloodriskpresentsanunacceptablethreattopublicsafety,infrastructure,andour economy.Morethan7millionpeopleand$580billioninassetsareexposedtofloodhazardsinthestate andthelackofsufficientandstablefundingforfloodcontrolexacerbatesthestatesrisk.WhenCalifornia floods,publicsafetyandhealthisendangered,criticalinfrastructureisdamaged,vitalservicesbecome isolatedorinterrupted,vastagriculturalareasarerenderedunproductive,andwatersuppliesare threatenedorimpacted.Theeffectsofclimatechangeonthestateswaterrunoffpatternswillonly magnifythesechallenges.Actionsbystate,localandregionalgovernments,however,canreducefloodrisks andimprovethestatespreparednessandresiliencywhenfloodinginevitablyoccurs.Floodprojectsdonein anintegrated,regionallydrivenwaycanalsoachievemultiplebenefits. FundingtoReduceFloodRiskandImproveFloodResponse Anestimated$50billionisneededtoreducefloodriskstatewide.Theadministrationwillfocusonthe highestriskareasanddevelopproposalstofundprojectsthroughacombinationoffinancingoptions. RemoveBarrierstoLocalandRegionalFundingforFloodControlProjects Theadministrationwillreviewchangesneededtothe1996RighttoVoteonTaxesAct(Proposition218)to includecertainfloodmanagementagenciesasexemptedpublicsafetyutilitiestoenabletheseagenciesto assessthefundsneededforfloodplanningandtheconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceofflood controlinfrastructure. 13

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

StreamlineandConsolidatePermitting Theadministrationwillconveneataskforceoffederal,state,andlocalpermittingandfloodmanagement agencies,todevelopaprogrammaticregulatorypermittingprocesstoreplacecurrentsitebysitemitigation requirementsandexpeditepermittingofcriticalfloodsystemimprovementprojects.Theeffortto streamlineandconsolidatewillalsoincorporateregionaladvancedmitigationasameanstoexpedite planning. CreateaDeltaLeveeAssessmentDistrict TheadministrationwillsponsorlegislationestablishingaDeltaleveeassessmentdistrictwithauthorityto collectfeesneededtorepairandmaintainmorethanathousandmilesofDeltalevees,manyofthem privatelyconstructedbeforemodernengineeringstandardswereinplace. ImproveAccesstoEmergencyFunds TheadministrationwillsponsorlegislationrevisingtheCaliforniaDisasterAssistanceActtoenhancethe GovernorsOfficeofEmergencyServicesabilitytoadvancefundsforfloodresponseeffortsandestablishan emergencyfloodresponsefundmaintainedbytheDepartmentofWaterResources. BetterCoordinateFloodResponseOperations TheGovernorsOfficeofEmergencyServices,workingincoordinationwiththeDepartmentofWater Resources,theU.S.ArmyCorpofEngineers,andothers,willdevelopandimplementacommoninteragency protocolthatalljurisdictionsandagenciesatalllevelsofgovernmentoperatingintheDeltainan emergencywillusetoestablishjointfieldincidentcommandsforfloodoperationsandotheremergency responsefunctions. IdentifyStateFundingPrioritiesforDeltaLevees TheDeltaStewardshipCouncil,inconsultationwiththeDepartmentofWaterResources,theCentralValley FloodProtectionBoard,theDeltaProtectionCommission,localagencies,andtheCaliforniaWater Commission,shoulddevelopfundingprioritiesforstateinvestmentsinDeltaleveesbyJanuary1,2015. TheseprioritieswillbeconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheDeltaReformActinpromotingeffective, prioritizedstrategicstateinvestmentsinleveeoperations,maintenance,andimprovementsintheDeltafor bothleveesthatareapartoftheStatePlanofFloodControlandnonprojectlevees.Theprioritiesshould identifyguidingprinciples,constraints,recommendedcostshareallocations,andstrategicconsiderationsto guideDeltafloodriskreductioninvestments. 9. INCREASEOPERATIONALANDREGULATORYEFFICIENCY EfficientlyoperatingtheStateWaterProjectandCentralValleyProject,whilecomplyingwiththe requirementsofstateandfederalendangeredspeciesactsandoperatingconsistentwiththeconditionsof waterrights,contractsandotherentitlements,isadelicatebalancingact.Currentcoordinationefforts, whilelongstandingandintendedtocoverabroadrangeofconditions,arenotreflectiveoftheentireDelta watershednoraretheyeffectiveatintegratingalloftheactivitiesthatotheragenciesandorganizationsare undertakingtoimprovetheecosystem. 14

CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

Preparefor2014andBeyondThroughBetterTechnologyandImprovedProcedures Theadministrationwillworkwithourfederalandregionalcounterpartstoimprovecoordinationof operationsofallmajorwatersupply(storagefacilitiesanddirectdiversions),floodcontrol,hatchery facilities,andhabitatrestorationprojectstoimprovewatersupplyandfisheryconditions.Thegoalsareto improvewaterprojectneartermoperationalflexibilityforwateryear2014andbuilduponthoseactionsin subsequentyears.Bettertechnologycanresultinimprovedcoordinationandmoreaccuratedatafor decisionmaking.Examplesofbettertechnologyandimprovedcoordinationincludebutarenotlimitedto thefollowing: o Improvedataavailability,communicationprocedures,andanalyticalmethodsusedtomonitorand communicateriskstolistedfishspeciesandtowatersupplieswhenmakingregulatorydecisions associatedwithimplementationofincidentaltakeprovisionsintheexistingbiologicalopinions. o DevelopapilotprojecttotestifanewindexforOldRiverandMiddleRiverreverseflowsenables compliancewithbiologicalopinionrequirements. o Developandemploynewturbiditymodelstoimproverealtimeturbiditymanagementinthesouth Delta. o AnalyzethroughtheSouthDeltaScienceCollaborativeassociatedoperationalapproachesfor minimizinglossofsalmonintheareaoftheOldRiverbarrierandeffectsoftheoperationsonwater supply. o DevelopaDeltasmeltlifecyclemodeltohelpmanageoperationstoavoidentrainmentofsmeltatthe waterprojectsintakes. o Implementa3.5yearstudytoenhanceandmodernizeDeltasmeltmonitoring(fishabundanceand geographicdistributionintheDelta),toimprovetheabilitytoprotectfishpopulationswhileminimizing theimpactsoffishprotectivemeasuresonwaterprojectoperations. o Workwithfederalagenciestoimprovecoordinationofhatcheryfishreleaseswithhydrologicconditions andwaterprojectoperationstoimprovefishsurvival. o Improvestateandfederalinteragencycoordinationandwatercontractorcoordinationonrealtime forecastingandmanagementassociatedwithmeetingwaterqualitycontrolobjectives,tooptimize projectoperationsandavoidredirectedfisheryimpacts. o FundandrevivetheNationalHydrologicalDatasetforCaliforniatoimprovehighqualityframework geospatialdataandtheprecisionandaccuracyofmappingandscientificstudies. ImproveandClarifyCoordinationofStateBayDeltaActions TheproblemsaffectingtheDeltaneedtobeaddressedonmultiplefronts,includinghabitatloss,export conveyance,waterprojectsoperations,pollutioncontrol,andflows.Theprincipalstateentitiescharged toaddresstheseissuesaretheDeltaStewardshipCouncil,DepartmentofWaterResources,Department ofFishandWildlife,andtheStateWaterResourcesControlBoard.Severalfederalagenciesexercise regulatoryauthorityrelatedtotheseissues.Therearealsomultiplewaterdistricts,privateparties,and nongovernmentalorganizationswithaprofoundstakeintheseissues. AcoordinatedapproachtomanagingtheDeltaisessentialtoservetheneedsofCaliforniasresidents. Stateagencieswillcommittousingcollaborativeprocessestoachievewatersupply,waterqualityand ecosystemgoals.Thisapproachembracesenhancedsharingofdata,consistentuseofpeerreviewed science,coordinatedreviewunderCEQA,improvedintegrationofrelatedprocesses,and encouragementofnegotiatedresolutions.

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CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

o TheDeltaStewardshipCouncil,DepartmentofWaterResources,DepartmentofFishandWildlife, andtheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardwillensureallrelevantinformationissharedandwill assisteachother,asappropriate,tocompleterespectiveeffortstoimproveDeltaconditions. Stateentitieswillencouragenegotiatedagreementsamonginterestedpartiestoimplementflow andnonflowactionstomeetregulatorystandardsandsupportallbeneficialusesofwater.State staffwillparticipateintheseprocesseswhenrequested. TheDeltaStewardshipCouncilsImplementationCommittee,whichincludesleadersfromallthe affectedstateentities,andwillmeetregularlytoreviewprogressincoordination.

AchieveEcologicalGoalsthroughIntegratedRegulatoryandVoluntaryEfforts TheSanFranciscoBayandSacramentoSanJoaquinRiverDeltaaresomeofthemoststudied ecosystemsinthenation.Similarly,manyscientificandmanagementplansexistconcerningthedecline ofsalmonandsteelheadinCalifornia.Afundamentalecologicalprincipleisthataquaticspeciesand estuarineecosystemsneedenoughcold,cleanwaterattherighttimesofyeartoensurespecies abundanceandhealthandecologicalfunction.Toooften,regulatoryprocessesoverlookthevalueof voluntaryprogramstoachieveecologicalgoals.Toooften,differentregulatoryprocessesarenot integrated,connected,orevencognizantofeachother.Integrationacrossandbetweenallvoluntary andregulatoryeffortsmaybenecessarytotrulyachievebasicecologicaloutcomes.

Asagoal,thestatemustcontinuetoconsiderhowtoprovidewaterflowsnecessarytomeetcurrent statepolicy,suchassignificantlyincreasingsalmon,steelhead,andtroutpopulationswhilealso supportingviable,selfsustainingpopulationsofabroadrangeofothernativeaquaticspecies,and ensuresustainableriverandestuaryhabitatconditionsforahealthy,functionalBayDeltaecosystem. Theadministration,withtheinvolvementofstakeholders,willbuildontheworkintributariestothe SacramentoandSanJoaquinrivers,analyzethemanyvoluntaryandregulatoryproceedingsunderway relatedtoflowcriteria,andmakerecommendationsonhowtoachievethesalmonandsteelheadand ecologicalflowneedsforthestatesnaturalresourcesthroughanintegrated,multiprongedapproach. 10. IDENTIFYSUSTAINABLEANDINTEGRATEDFINANCINGOPPORTUNITIES
Californiahasalonghistoryofmakingsoundfinancialinvestmentsinwaterresources.However,ourcurrent investmentsarenotkeepingpacewiththeneed.Ourinfrastructureisaging,leveesareinneedofrepair, communitiesarewithoutsafewater,andourenvironment,farms,andeconomyaresufferingfromunreliable anddegradedwatersupplies.Thisplanincludesactionsthatwillrequiremultiplefundingsources.Wehave accesstoavarietyoffundingsourcesincludingfederalgrantsandloans,generalobligationbonds,revenue bonds,ratepayerdollars,localinitiatives,userfees,beneficiaryfees,localandstatewidetaxes,private investment,publicprivatepartnerships,andmore.Abetterunderstandingofthevarietyandtypesoffundsand financingavailableforwaterinvestmentwillhelpustomakethebest,mostefficientandsustainableusesofthe fundingavailable. DevelopWaterFinancingStrategy Theadministrationwilldevelopawaterfinancingstrategythatleveragesvarioussourcesofwaterrelated projectfundingandproposesoptionsforeliminatingfundingbarriers,includingbarrierstocofundingmulti benefitprojects.Thestrategywillidentifyallpotentialfundingsourcesforwaterrelatedprojectsincluding auctionrevenue,energyefficiencyfunds,userandbeneficiaryfees,polluterfees,localmeasures,andother sourcesandwillestablishprinciplestoguidetheuseofthesefundingsources.

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CALIFORNIA WATER ACTION PLAN: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT

RemoveBarrierstoLocalandRegionalFundingforWaterProjects Theadministrationwillreviewchangesneededtothe1996RighttoVoteonTaxesAct(Proposition218)to betterenablewatermanagementagenciestoassessthefundsneededtoprotectpublichealthandmaintain safe,secureandsustainablewaterresourcesfortheirratepayers. AnalyzeUserandPolluterFees Theadministrationwilldirectagenciestoidentifyareaswhereuserand/orpolluterfeesmaybeappropriate. Theagencieswillassessthefollowing:Areaswhereusersmaynotbefullyfundingthecostsorimpacts associatedwiththeiruse,instanceswherepollutersarenotabletodiminishtheirpollutionandhavenot adequatelyaccountedfortheimpactsofthatpollution,andopportunitiestousefeestoincentivizepositive behavior.Theagencieswillproviderecommendationsonfees,whowouldpaythem,howtheywouldbe collected,andhowtheywouldbeused.

Conclusion
AllCalifornianshaveastakeinourwaterfuture.Theseactionssetusonapathtowardreliability,restoration, andresilienceinCaliforniawater.Californiasimpendingwatercrisisrequiresthatweadapttothisnew normalandrecaptureCaliforniasresourcemanagementleadershipandoureconomicandenvironmental resilienceandreliability.Therearenosilverbulletsorsingleprojectsthatwillfixtheproblem.Wemusthavea portfolioofactionstocomprehensivelyaddressthechallengesthisstatefaces.Someactionsmustbetaken immediatelytoaddresscurrentriskssuchastheloomingdroughtandinadequatesafedrinkingwater. Additionally,overthenextfiveyearswemustaddressfundamentalchangesinourapproachtowaterresource managementandbepreparedforthechangesthefutureholds.

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