Delta Counties Reach Out on Plan Impacts

A coalition of five Delta-area counties is reaching out to Northern California entities to express concerns regarding the latest draft of the Delta Plan.

In an April 12 letter, representatives of Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Yolo counties urge leaders of cities, counties and special districts in the Northern California region to appear before the Delta Stewardship Council to voice concerns and request that the council seek an extension of its January 2012 deadline to complete a Delta Plan.

Under comprehensive legislation enacted in 2009, the Delta Stewardship Council is preparing a plan that will serve as an “enforceable” framework for achieving the co-equal goals of improved water supply reliability and ecosystem health in the Delta.

While the stated intent of the plan is positive, the letter says, the “manner and extent to which the Delta Plan is currently being developed would have serious implications on local land use decision-making authority and should be of great concern to local agencies, and residents and businesses in our region.”

Many concerns highlighted in the letter are consistent with issues raised by ACWA and nearly 60 water agencies and other organizations in an April 8 letter to the council.

The council is set to release the third draft Delta Plan on Friday. Council members will meet April 28-29 to discuss the draft.

The current schedule calls for the council to release a fourth draft in May that will then trigger an environmental review. A final Delta Plan is to be adopted by Jan. 1, 2012, as directed by the Delta Reform Act of 2009.