State Water Board Releases Draft Updates to the Bay-Delta Plan by ACWA Staff Oct 30, 2024 Water News On Oct. 25, the State Water Resources Control Board released a draft of potential updates for the Sacramento/Delta portions of the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Watershed (Bay-Delta Plan). The draft changes include options for incorporating a regulatory pathway or a pathway based on the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, formerly referred to as the Voluntary Agreements. Additionally, the draft updates include options for two modular alternatives (Alternatives 5a and 6a) that were described in the State Water Board’s 2023 draft staff report. The State Water Board has not yet selected a pathway for updating the Sacramento/Delta portions of the Bay-Delta Plan. State Water Board staff will develop a revised draft of proposed updates based on comments on this draft. The State Water Board will hold a multiday workshop, with dates scheduled in November, December, and January, to discuss the draft changes. Written comments on the draft updates are due to the State Water Board by Dec. 19. The notice includes additional information about the workshop and instructions for submitting comments to the State Water Board. More information on the workshop, a timeline of the Bay-Delta Plan update process, and FAQs are available ACWA’s website. ACWA has long supported the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes as the best approach for protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Bay-Delta. ACWA is reviewing the draft changes and plans to provide oral and written comments to the State Water Board.
