Glenn Farrel, Government Relations Program

Imported Water Committee February 26, 2015

700-mile sloughs and waterways, surround more than 60 tracts and islands supported by levees

500,000 residents, largest use of land is agricultural, recreation destination, important transportation and utilities corridor, estuary and waterways

Competing interests ◦ Water supply ◦ Ecosystem

Deteriorating habitat impacts on water suppliers’ ability to export through the Delta

History of major – but largely failed – efforts to address water conflicts

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LAKE SHASTA

LAKE OROVILLE

State Water Project (Bay-Delta)

20%

Colorado River 63%

Local Supplies and Conservation

17%

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Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta

Years-long Board and staff education process on BDCP proposal and related issues ◦ Nearly 40 public meetings since July

2011

Intensive, multi-disciplinary staff analysis of BDCP environmental and planning documents ◦ Year of extensive Board discussion

Water Authority comment letters submitted in Spring and Summer 2014

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BDCP Plan and EIR/EIS

Water Authority’s BDCP Analyses

April 2015 – Recirculation of BDCP EIR, EIS, and Implementing Agreement

September 2015 – Projected timeframe for final EIR/EIS

October 2015 – Projected timeframe for Record of Decision/Notice of Determination

2016 – Permits, followed by commencement of construction

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Adopted by Water Authority Board in February 2012

Bay-Delta policy principles guide staff in advocating for, and protecting, the region’s interests ◦ Provide a framework to evaluate the

potential impact of state and federal legislation

Broad range of policy issues ◦ Water supply reliability ◦ Ecosystem restoration ◦ Finance and funding ◦ Facilities ◦ Governance

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1. How big does the project need to be?

2. How much will it cost? 3. How much water will San

Diego get? 4. What is the portion of the

cost San Diego will be obligated to pay?

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5. Who is going to commit to pay for it? 6. How will Water Authority ratepayers be protected

from paying disproportionate share of BDCP costs? 7. Will the costs of BDCP to San Diego ratepayers

negatively impact local supply development?

Water Authority will continue active engagement at various decision-making levels to ensure: ◦ Development and implementation of a

cost-effective Delta solution

◦ Solutions balance environmental needs of the Delta with improved water supply reliability and water quality

◦ The Water Authority’s share of the financial obligations match benefits provided by the selected Delta solution

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Adopt Proposed 2015-2016 Bay-Delta Workplan

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