California Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Auburn, Calif.- The Placer County Water Agency is applauding a move by a California Congressional delegation to postpone adoption of the state’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).

“The BDCP is a ‘statewide plan’ that regrettably forgets the northern portion of the state,” said PCWA Board Chairman Gray Allen.  “As it stands now, the BDCP shows Northern California reservoirs like Shasta and Folsom with such drastically low water levels that local water utilities won’t be able to provide reliable water to customers at least once every decade.  That’s unacceptable.”

Allen’s comments are in support of an Aug. 30 letter to Gov. Brown from seven Northern California Congressional representatives.  Signatories include Doris Matsui, George Miller, Mike Thompson, Jerry McNerney, John Garamendi, Anna Eshoo and Ami Bera.

Concerns expressed by the representatives are much the same as those voiced in recent months by PCWA and other north state water purveyors.
      
The letter references funding sources of the BDCP and says it is unlikely the federal government will be able to provide an assumed $4 billion. 

“As you know, due to our nation’s fiscal and political climate, the federal budget has seen deep cuts over the past few years,” the letter says.  “Moreover, the federal budget is currently operating in ‘sequestration,’ which has already significantly reduced the amount of funding available.” 

“Despite meetings with senior federal and state officials to discuss our concerns, we continue to believe the current BDCP plan and process are deeply flawed and do not warrant federal funding at this time.” “We request that you postpone the release of the BDCP management plan until all stakeholders are at the table, sound science is conducted, and a workable financing plan is developed.” “We agree that California’s water problems have to be fixed, but there first must be a plan that reflects the needs of the entire state and addresses the major concerns of all stakeholders.”