California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
A new plan with updated rules for the Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and Delta facilities of the State Water Project has been approved by the Bureau of Reclamation. The agreement between the Biden-Harris Administration and California Gov. Gavin Newsom means more predictable actions for endangered fish species and a more reliable CVP response to multi-year droughts.
“The resilience of the Central Valley Project, with its importance to the agricultural industry and drinking water deliveries across California, is critical to the state’s water supply future,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Mike Brain. “The revised operating plan will improve regulatory certainty for water users and provide a more stable water supply for communities, farms, and fish.”
The revised operating plan includes a new framework for Shasta Reservoir operations to benefit winter-run Chinook salmon; revised operational criteria for Delta exports; and supports early implementation of components of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program to provide more Delta outflow and habitat restoration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.
“The new operating plans super charge our adaptive management and enable project operators to work with water users and the broader public to better manage the system to benefit endangered fish species and millions of Californians,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme storms and extended droughts mean we need to be as nimble as possible in operating our water infrastructure. DWR remains committed to working with our federal and state partners and using the best available science to support the water supply needs of California’s communities while protecting fish and wildlife.”
The record of decision and final Environmental Impact Statement is available on the Bureau’s website.
