This document discusses a government relations program on imported water and the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). It notes the competing interests in the Delta region involving water supply, ecosystem, and transportation. It outlines the Water Authority's analysis of the BDCP plan and environmental reviews over several years. Key questions are identified regarding project size, costs, water supply benefits for San Diego, and financial obligations. The Water Authority will continue engagement to ensure a cost-effective Delta solution that balances environmental and water supply needs and limits financial obligations proportionate to benefits received.

1. Glenn Farrel, Government Relations Program
Imported Water Committee
February 26, 2015

2.  700-mile sloughs and waterways, surround
more than 60 tracts and islands supported by
levees
 500,000 residents, largest use of land is
agricultural, recreation destination, important
transportation and utilities corridor, estuary
and waterways
 Competing interests
◦ Water supply
◦ Ecosystem
 Deteriorating habitat impacts on water
suppliers’ ability to export through the Delta
 History of major – but largely failed – efforts
to address water conflicts
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3. LAKE
SHASTA
LAKE
OROVILLE
State Water Project
(Bay-Delta)
20%
Colorado River
63%
Local Supplies
and Conservation
17%
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Sacramento-San
Joaquin Bay-Delta

4.  Years-long Board and staff
education process on BDCP
proposal and related issues
◦ Nearly 40 public meetings since July
2011
 Intensive, multi-disciplinary staff
analysis of BDCP environmental
and planning documents
◦ Year of extensive Board discussion
 Water Authority comment letters
submitted in Spring and Summer
2014
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BDCP Plan and EIR/EIS
Water Authority’s BDCP Analyses

5.  April 2015 – Recirculation of
BDCP EIR, EIS, and Implementing
Agreement
 September 2015 – Projected
timeframe for final EIR/EIS
 October 2015 – Projected
timeframe for Record of
Decision/Notice of
Determination
 2016 – Permits, followed by
commencement of construction
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6.  Adopted by Water Authority Board
in February 2012
 Bay-Delta policy principles guide
staff in advocating for, and
protecting, the region’s interests
◦ Provide a framework to evaluate the
potential impact of state and federal
legislation
 Broad range of policy issues
◦ Water supply reliability
◦ Ecosystem restoration
◦ Finance and funding
◦ Facilities
◦ Governance
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7. 1. How big does the project
need to be?
2. How much will it cost?
3. How much water will San
Diego get?
4. What is the portion of the
cost San Diego will be
obligated to pay?
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5. Who is going to commit to pay for it?
6. How will Water Authority ratepayers be protected
from paying disproportionate share of BDCP costs?
7. Will the costs of BDCP to San Diego ratepayers
negatively impact local supply development?

8.  Water Authority will continue active
engagement at various decision-
making levels to ensure:
◦ Development and implementation of a
cost-effective Delta solution
◦ Solutions balance environmental needs
of the Delta with improved water
supply reliability and water quality
◦ The Water Authority’s share of the
financial obligations match benefits
provided by the selected Delta solution
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9.  Adopt Proposed 2015-2016 Bay-Delta
Workplan
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