Federal, State Officials Announce Speedier Access to BDCP Technical Documents

State and federal partners in the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan announced steps today to enhance transparency in the planning process by speeding access to draft technical documents.

The announcement, described as an initial response to public comments filed on a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with local water agencies, will be followed by additional steps.

“The Bay-Delta Conservation Plan may propose the largest habitat restoration project ever to be undertaken in the United States in the largest and most important estuary on the west coast of the Americas,” Deputy Interior Secretary David J. Hayes said. “This needs to be done right, and that is why we are announcing our joint commitment that all parties have access to key documents involved in the development of the BDCP.”

California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird said that while other comments on the MOA will be addressed in coming weeks, "there is no need to wait on committing to release all documents to all parties at the same time."

The change will be memorialized in a letter among the agencies in December.