Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta

Extensively modified over the last century and a half, California's San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary remains biologically diverse and functions as a central element in California's water supply system. Uncertainties about the future, actions taken under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and companion California statues, and lawsuits have led to conflict concerning the timing and amount of water that can be diverted from the Delta for agriculture, municipal, and industrial purposes and concerning how much water is needed to protect the Delta ecosystem and its component species. Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta focuses on scientific questions, assumptions, and conclusions underlying water-management alternatives and reviews the initial public draft of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan in terms of adequacy of its use of science and adaptive management. In addition, this report identifies the factors that may be contributing to the decline of federally listed species, recommend future water-supple and delivery options that reflect proper consideration of climate change and compatibility with objectives of maintaining a sustainable Bay-Delta ecosystem, advises what degree of restoration of the Delta system is likely to be attainable, and provides metrics that can be used by resource managers to measure progress toward restoration goals. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Scarcity: The Challenges of Water and Environmental Management in the Delta and Beyond 3 Stressors: Environmental Factors and Their Effects on the Bay-Delta Ecosystem 4 Environmental Change: Challenges and Opportunities 5 Constraints and Opportunities for Multifaceted Water Planning Appendix A: Summary of A Scientific Assessment of Alternatives for Reducing Water Management Effect on Threatened and Endangered Fishes in California's Bay-Delta Appendix B: Summary of A Review of the Use of Science and Adaptive Management in California's Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan Appendix C: Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta Appendix D: Public Session Speakers Appendix E: Changes in the Zooplankton of the San Francisco Estuary Appendix F: Methods to Support Decision Making Appendix G: Water Science and Technology Board Appendix H: Ocean Studies Board Appendix I: Biographical Sketches for Members of the Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta