sacramento-san joaquin delta: california’s water epicenter

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Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta:

California’s Water Epicenter

Distribution Center for California’s Water Supply

A Threatened Natural Resource

Long-Standing Communities

Past generations invested in a network of dams, aqueducts and pumps to move water around the state

100-year-old man-made levee system is old and fragile Much of the land has subsided below sea level Future sea level rise and changing weather patterns will

put greater pressure on the levees

A Vulnerable & Incomplete System

“California must implement a science-based plan to ensure safe and adequate water

supplies while addressing the severe challenges facing the Delta.”

-Governor Jerry Brown

Due to political conflicts, forced to rely on a vulnerable system

Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Joaquin Valley, Inland Empire, San

Diego and Central Coast all depend on this critical

lifeline.

How likely is a major earthquake (6.7 magnitude)

to hit Northern California?

U.S. Geological Survey predicts Bay Area has a

63% chanceof experiencing

a major earthquake

in the next 30 years

It is not an issue of IF

It is an issue of WHEN...

“Should the Delta levees fail, the consequences are likely to

be sudden and catastrophic for local residents, landowners,

Delta species, and water exporters.”

-Public Policy Institute of California

We can act now...

Survival Kit for the Delta: Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Would be one of California’s largest public works and environmental restoration projects

Cooperative effort between federal and state agencies, public water agencies, leading scientists and key environmental groups

Bay Delta Conservation Plan Two Vital Goals

Significant habitat restoration New conveyance facility to protect water supply

and environment Moves portion of freshwater supply under or around

the Delta, separating from fragile ecosystem Engineered to withstand earthquakes, floods and

changes in sea level

Operated under nation’s toughest environmental standards

Redesigning the System

New Water ConveyanceSeveral Options Under Review

A retrofit of the existing system that secures it

from risk of flood,

earthquake and sea level rise in the Delta is the most sensible

approach

Widespread Benefits For People

Water supply protected from earthquakes, floods and sea level rise—restores reliability

Dependable, clean water supply for communities

Improved water quality Stability for California’s $35B

agricultural industry Security for varied economic sectors

Benefits For The Environment

Protection of endangered fish Enhancement and preservation of

113,000 acres Natural floodplains restored Returns more natural flow patterns to

the Delta Creation and protection of wetlands Better control of non-native species

Investing In The Seismic Retrofit

Project is prudent, affordable & urgently needed Cost of the water conveyance project would be

covered by public water agencies ~$10 billion Project would be financed over many years No state general fund dollars involved

Broader funding sources, including potentially voter approved bonds, would pay for environmental improvements

An Investment Long Overdue

Tough Times in the Golden State

UC Berkeley study shows the tunnel construction

alone would create

130,000 new jobs

during 7-year period

“…This is the moment to push forward with solutions, apply the best science available, and

build a water future for California…”

-Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

“…The Bay Delta Conservation Plan has long seemed to me to be the best hope for ‘peace on the river’: water supply reliability and

restoration of the ecosystem.”

-U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein

Here’s How YOU Can Help Send a support letter to the Governor and Legislature Publish an article in your newsletter Post a banner link to this program on your web site Submit an opinion editorial or commentary to your local

newspapers Link to this program in your social media outlets Distribute our brochure and other materials to your

membership

For more information:

Southern California Water Committee

www.socalwater.org

State Water Contractors

www.swc.org

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

www.baydeltaconservationplan.com