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DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL www.DeltaCouncil.ca.gov
A California State Agency (916) 445-5511
April 12, 202 CHAIR
Phil Isenberg
MEMBERS
Butte County Supervisor Chair Steve Lambert Randy Fiorini
Butte County Gloria Gray
Patrick Johnston
359 Nelson Avenue Felicia Marcus
Oroville, CA 9S9b5 Hank IVordhotf
Dan Nottoli
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dear Chair Lambert, P. Joseph Grindstaff
As you are perhaps aware, the Delta Stewardship Council [Council) is required to develop a
comprehensive long-term management plan for the Delta that will further achievement of the
coequal goals of restoring the ecosystem and providing a reliable water supply in a manner that
preserves, protects and enhances the unique character of the Delta as an evolving place. We will
soon release the plan's final staff draft, reflecting hundreds of comments made to the fifth draft,
which was released last August, as well as comments made to the Program EIR, which was
released last November.
We appreciate the comments provided by your staff and/or organizations representing your
areas, including the Northern California Water Association, Mountain Counties Water Association
and the Regional Council of Rural Counties, and are continuing to work with them to address
concerns. You may have seen how some of the Delta Plan [PIan) issues have been characterized -
and in some cases rnischaracterized - in the media.
Based on some of the concerns we've heard,l'dlike to take this opportunity to reiterate some
important information about the Plan and the Council.
The Council, bylaw, cannot change water rights. The Council is judicious in the use of the
authority it was given, which applies only to plans and projects that occur within the legal Delta
and Suisun Marsh. Actions that occur wholly outside the Delta and Suisun Marsh are not covered
by the Plan's policies. The Council only has authority over "coverer actions" that fit the definition
of a project under the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA) and meet the four criteria
under the Delta Reform Act.
The Plan intends to meet its statutory requirements by providing a framework that connects the
various plans, regulations and programs in place or in development, that address California's
complex water supply system. The Plan's policies and recommendationswill guide opportunities
for habitat restoration, increase the diversity and efficiency of California's water supplies, enhance
floodplains, improve Delta levees, and preserve the unique character of the Delta. Once the Flan is
Coequal goals means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for Cali#ornia and protecting, restoring,
and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. 1-he coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances
the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place,
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finalized, the coequal goals will be met, in part, by enhancing coordination among agencies rather
than duplicating regulatory processes and by enforcing state regulations already in place.
Please note that under the Delta Reform Act, Iocal officials will determine whether an action is
covered by the Plan and, if it is, whether the protect is consistent with the Plan. The Council will
become involved only if that local determination is appealed to the Council by a third party.
We look forward to discussing the sixth draft with you and receiving your questions and
comments. Please contact Eric Alvarez at [916) 445-5383 if you would like to meet directly with
the Council's staff to discuss the Plan or would like any additional information.
Sincerely,
Joe Grindstaff
Executive Officer, Delta Stewardship Council
cc: Supervisor Bill Connelly
Supervisor Larry Wahl
Supervisor Maureen Kirk
Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi
Thomas Parrillo, Director, Planning Division
Paul Gosselin, Director, Water and Resource Conservation
Mike Crump, Director, Department of Public Works