Delta Stewardship Council
The Delta Stewardship Council develops the Delta Plan, an enforceable long-term plan to manage the Delta’s resources to achieve the ‘coequal goals' of a more reliable statewide water supply and a healthy and protected ecosystem, both achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique characteristics of the Delta as an evolving place.
Programs and Responsibilities
- Delta Plan: The Council is charged with developing the Delta Plan. Performance measures track the progress of implementation. Coordinates the Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee.
- Planning: Delta Levees Investment Strategy, Delta Adapts: Creating a Climate Resilient Future
- Science: Delta Science Program, Delta Independent Science Board
The first Delta Plan was adopted in 2013 and has chapters on water supply reliability, ecosystem restoration, protection of Delta as an evolving place, water quality, and flood risk reduction. The Delta Plan includes regulatory policies that agencies and projects must comply with as well as non-binding recommendations. And while some of the Delta Plan’s regulations do apply to habitat restoration projects and development within floodplains, the Delta Stewardship Council does not have any land use authority. Click here for a list of all the Delta Plan’s regulations.
The Delta Reform Act requires any state or local agency proposing to undertake a covered action must submit to the Council a written certification of consistency with the Delta Plan. The legislation defines a covered action as a plan, program, or project that a state or local agency proposes to do within the Delta and Suisun Marsh that is covered by one or more policies of the Delta Plan. Any person, be it a Council member, another agency, or a member of the public, who believes a covered action is inconsistent with the Delta Plan may appeal the certification of consistency to the Council within 30 days of the submission date. It is important to note that the scope of the appeal is limited to only the consistency of the plan or project with the Delta Plan’s regulatory policies.
Governance:
The Council is comprised of seven members from various backgrounds and from different parts of the state that provide a statewide perspective and diverse expertise. Of the seven members, four are appointed by the Governor, one each by the Senate and Assembly, and the seventh member is the Chair of the Delta Protection Commission. The current Council members are listed here.
Click here for coverage of the Delta Stewardship Council on Maven’s Notebook.
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