The Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan (Bay Delta Plan) is intended to protect water quality in the Bay Delta and its tributaries. The Plan aims to ensure that the water can be used to support designated beneficial uses, however, it hasn’t been meaningfully updated in over 20 years. The outdated Plan fails to protect water quality or provide adequate protection for freshwater flows needed to maintain a healthy Bay Delta ecosystem and support endangered species. Updated, scientifically-supported standards are needed to provide for the recovery and long-term sustainability of a healthy Bay-Delta.
The Water Board released a Draft Report analyzing the effects of an Updated Bay Delta Plan and the Voluntary Agreements. We need your help to voice support for an updated Bay Delta Plan that includes strong science-based standards, addresses ongoing challenges in the Bay Delta and incorporates an implementation plan that can achieve recovery of the estuary.
The Board will be holding three public hearings on the dates below to hear public comments on the two proposals. You can only give public comment at one of the three hearings, and your comment will be limited to 5 minutes. You may participate in person at the meeting location in Sacramento, or remotely via Zoom. Refer to the Board Notice for additional information on when and how to participate.
Friday, November 17, 2023, beginning at 9:30 am Friday, December 1, 2023, beginning at 9:30 am - Monday, December 11, 2023, beginning at 12:00 pm
Sign up to participate on the State Water Board website. Also let us know which hearing you plan to attend, so we can keep you informed with updated talking points, our analysis of the Report, and other opportunities to give the State Water Board feedback on their Report.
Sierra Club California will be evaluating the Report over the next several weeks to ensure the Updated Bay Delta Plan will support recovery of imperiled fish and wildlife, prevent proliferation of Harmful Algal Blooms, and provide sustainable water supply for Californians while reducing reliance on diversions from the Bay Delta.