Updates Seek to Strengthen California's Water Plan and Build Consensus

Last month, the California Department of Water Resources announced changes to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, a series of projects backed by Governor Jerry Brown to increase ecosystem restoration efforts and water supply reliability in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. In the following The Planning Report interview, Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, details the recent adjustments to the BDCP. He also describes how the plan’s various environmental, infrastructure, and water-related projects will be funded, as well as his own agency’s efforts at conservation, efficiency, and consensus building across the Southern California Region.

While aspects of the BDCP have been rethought, Kightlinger makes clear its necessity and statewide significance. "By moving where we divert water in the South Delta to the North Delta we ensure that even with that sea level rise, with global warming pushing salt further inland, we’re going to have fresh, drinkable water available. So that’s an enormous, long-term benefit 50 years out."