The Measure
The State Water Resources Control Board adopts updates to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, including updates to Delta outflow and Bay-Delta watershed tributary flow objectives, within one year of adoption of amendments to Chapter 4 of the Delta Plan.
Measure Details
In December 2021, SWRCB announced:
- Lower San Joaquin River (SJR): Update to the Lower SJR and its tributaries/Lower SJR salinity objectives will initiate in the CEQA process in spring 2022 to 2023 and adopt regulation (if that is the path taken) by summer 2023.
- Sacramento River: Update to the Sacramento River and tributary, Delta outflows, and Delta eastside tributary inflows and cold water habitat, and interior Delta flows objectives is anticipating submittal of proposed voluntary agreements in early 2022. Then the release of the draft staff report for public review and comment in summer 2022. A public workshop on the draft staff report in winter 2022. Followed by response to comments and development of proposed final changes to the Bay-Delta Plan in fall 2023. The SWRCB could consider adoption in late fall 2023.
In February 2020, the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency released a framework for potential voluntary agreements to improve river flows and habitat to help recover salmon and other native fishes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The framework is a milestone with ongoing discussions related to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan.
In December 2018, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted updates to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan to increase water flows through the Lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries—the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced Rivers. In September 2019, SWRCB released a Draft of the initial biological goals for the Lower San Joaquin River.
Delta Plan Strategy
Create More Natural Functional Flows
Delta Plan Recommendation
ER R1. Update Delta Flow Objectives. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) should maintain a regular schedule of reviews of the Bay-Delta Plan to reflect changing conditions due to climate change and other factors. The SWRCB should consult with the Delta Science Program on adaptive management and the use of best available science.
Related Output/Outcome Performance Measures
PM 4.2A Functional Flows: Yolo Bypass Inundation
PM 4.2B Functional Flows: Peak Flow
PM 4.2C Functional Flows: Recession Flow
PM 4.2D Functional Flows: In-Delta Flow