State Board Issues Notice in Next Phase of Bay-Delta Plan Review

The State Water Resources Control Board is seeking input and information to evaluate potential changes to Delta outflow and inflow requirements as part of its review of the 2006 Water Quality Control Plan for the Bay-Delta.

In a notice issued Jan. 24, the State Board requests comments and information regarding potentially significant environmental effects, reasonable alternatives and mitigation measures related to possible changes that could emerge from a comprehensive review of the 2006 plan.

The State Board will consider issues highlighted in a 2009 staff report on the plan as well as information from a 2010 staff report that identified new flow criteria to protect aquatic resources in the Delta. The flow criteria, developed in response to comprehensive water legislation enacted in 2009, did not consider impacts on water supply or other beneficial uses and did not attempt to balance public trust resource protection with other public interest needs for water.

A notice issued by the State Board in 2009 indicated the review could be completed in four stages and would include both a review and update of water quality objectives, including flow objectives, and changes to water rights and water quality regulations to implement new objectives.

The State Board has scheduled an “information item” on Feb. 21 to review the schedule of actions and take comments. Details can be found here.

In addition, the State Board will convene a scoping meeting on May 16 to receive oral comments. Interested parties may also submit written comments by April 25. Details can be found in this notice.

Last week, agroup of public water and power agencies asked the State Board to delay any revision of Delta flow objectives until key analyses can be completed as part of the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan. In a letter submitted to the State Board, the water and power organizations said the 2010 flow criteria developed by Board staff would have devastating effects on beneficial uses of water if formally adopted by the State Board. ACWA submitted a letter concurring with the water and power agencies.

Environmental groups submitted a letter this week urging the State Board to initiate the next phase of the review without delay.