Delta Levees ProgramHabitat Banking

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1100 miles of levees in

Delta

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Protecting local land use

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Protecting regional infrastructure

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Reducing salinity intrusion

Max Intrusion 1921-1943 Max Intrusion 1944-1990

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Many areas now

below sea level

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Most areas have flooded at least

once

Historical breaches since 1900

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Major habitats affected by levee projects

•Freshwater Marsh•Scrub-Shrub•Riparian Forest•Shaded Riverine Aquatic

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Legislature requires habitat protection

1988 - No net loss of habitat (SB34)

1995 - Net long-term improvement(AB360)

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Delta Levee ProgramCollaborative Partnership

Delta Levees

Program

DFG

Reclamation Districts

DWR

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Increased concern and visibility

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Increased levee funding

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Habitat banking

Pool mitigation from multiple projects Regional – bigger picture Advanced – before impacts

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Similar to other approaches

• Mitigation and conservation banking– For jurisdictional wetlands, T&E

• Regional conservation plans (HCP/NCCP)– Regional analysis and mitigation– Mostly private development driven

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Several key challenges

• Selecting strategic locations

• Coordinating with other efforts

• Funding habitat before impacts

• Funding perpetual management

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Coordination with others

• Bay Delta Conservation Plan

• 5 NCCP/HCPs

• Ecosystem Restoration Program

• 4-Pumps Agreement

• OCAP – State Water Project env’l permitting

• others17

Several key challenges

• Selecting strategic locations

• Coordinating with other efforts

• Funding habitat before impacts

• Funding perpetual management

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Banking options

• Existing commercial habitat banks

• DWR-sponsored bank or local levee-district bank

• Customized commercial bank

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