February 6, 2019   

The Coalition for a Sustainable Delta (Coalition) is pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has taken a long overdue step to update the operational criteria of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP).  With the release of a new Biological Assessment for the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the CVP and SWP, Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are recognizing advancements in science and an improved understanding of the Delta that has emerged in the ten years.

“We are encouraged by the effort to implement an improved regulatory regime. Regulations governing project operations over the last ten years have failed fish, families, and farms across California. A change must be made to improve endangered native populations and ensure continued water reliability for millions of Californians,” said Jason Peltier, Executive Director. “The Coalition appreciates the years of work that has gone into this re-consultation process, with more to come over the next few months. The Coalition is encouraged that Reclamation is prioritizing increased operational flexibility while improving native endangered species through habitat restoration, improved monitoring, and a more strategic distribution of flows in the Delta. It is critical that the result of this re-consultation process recognizes and addresses the many stressors in the Delta and takes a holistic approach to improving native populations,” he added.