WHO'S INVOLVED IN THE BAY-DELTA

In an attempt to provide some form of governance, the California Bay-Delta was created by the state Legislature in 2003.

The Bay-Delta oversees the implementation of CALFED for 25 state and federal agencies. It is charged with ensuring balanced implementation, providing accountability, using sound science, tracking and assessing the program's progress, assuring public involvement, and coordinating and integrating related programs. The Authority consists of a 24-member board, an executive director and staff.

Under the formal organizational pyramid, the Authority reports to the governor and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. As a practical matter, the task of signing off on major environmental documents or spending plans falls to both the California Secretary of Resources and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. At key points in CALFED's history, the Interior Secretary has played a role in moving the process forward.

The fishery agencies: No project can go forward without a permit and the blessing of the fishery agencies. They issue biological opinions on whether proposed water operations will put endangered species into jeopardy.

The state Department of Fish and Game plays a major role in terms of measuring fish populations and assessing the impact of water operations in the Bay-Delta, and determining what kind of fish recovery plans are going to be needed.

On the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deals with fresh-water fish, while salt-water fish fall under the purview of NOAA Fisheries/National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

The water agencies: They plan, build and operate dams, pumping plants and do long-term planning for the state's future water supplies, while being mindful of environmental issues. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation operates the Central Valley Project, and determines how the projects will comply with endangered species law. The director of the state Department of Water Resources -who reports to the California Secretary of Resources- gets involved in everything from fish recovery plans to coming up with new financing plans for CALFED.

The Army Corps of Engineers builds water projects, and issues a key permit that allows projects to go forward. Most importantly, they operate and maintain many of the Bay-Delta levees.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA played a major role in creating the Bay-Delta Accord. It warned that it would set its own standards if the parties couldn't come up with a consensus approach. Today, the agency continues to provide input on Bay-Delta Authority discussions.

The state Department of Health Services sits on the Bay-Delta Authority board to monitor drinking-water quality issues.

Although not involved in CALFED's beginnings, other cabinet posts represented on the Bay-Delta Authority include the secretary of Food and Agriculture, and the Department of Forestry, both of whom play an important coordinating role.

The four ex-officio members include the chair and vice chairs of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and the chairs and vice chairs of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Even though these members don't have a vote, they play a significant role in policy and fiscal matters by virtue of their committee positions.

State Water Resources Control Board: The board is charged with setting water flow and quality standards in the Delta. Hearings before this board can drag on for years, which is why the threatened intervention. Today, Bay-Delta water flow and quality issues continue to fall under its purview.

There are two committees providing input to Bay-Delta matters:

The Delta Advisory Committee includes general managers from the state's water agencies and provides counsel and advice to the Bay-Delta Authority.

The Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (BDPAC, pronounced "Bud-Pack") was established four years ago. This 30-member committee advises state and federal agencies, other members of the Bay-Delta Authority and the governor. It includes mayors, county supervisors, water agencies, environmentalists, Indian tribes and the California Farm Bureau.

And let's not forget Congress and the courts. The California congressional delegation reflects the divisions of the state as a whole, but occasionally can forge sufficient consensus to win federal authorization and funding of Bay-Delta recovery plans. The courts can issue key rulings on Bay-Delta proposals and related actions, including environmental impact reports.