Supporting Healthy Rivers and Landscapes in the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Update
Farmers understand the vital importance of water, not only for their farms, livelihoods, and farm-based communities, but also for surrounding ecosystems. The recent developments in California’s approach to water management and environmental restoration offer a promising path forward for both agriculture and the environment. The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program, now under consideration by the State Water Resources Control Board, presents an innovative framework that could provide water supply benefits to farms while supporting the health of the Bay-Delta watershed.
Collaborative Approach to Water Management
The proposed eight-year program aims to improve environmental flows and restore habitats along California’s key waterways, with the goal of reversing the decline in listed fish populations throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. This collaborative approach, involving local, state, and federal agencies, offers a more adaptive strategy to protect both fish and wildlife and local economies, including our farming communities.
Key Components of the Program
Environmental Flows
The Instream Flow Water Purchase Program, launched in June 2023, will provide $360 million to secure environmental water flows during ecologically crucial months. This initiative could help balance the needs of agriculture and the environment by ensuring adequate water for both purposes.
Habitat Restoration
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is working closely with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and partners to implement various restoration projects. These projects include:
- Tide’s End: Restoring over 2,200 acres of tidal and floodplain habitat in the north Delta
- Little Egbert Tract: A 3,000-acre project addressing flood-risk reduction while building habitat for native fish species
- Prospect Island: A 1,600-acre tidal restoration project in the Delta
Projects like this demonstrate a commitment to improving the overall health of our waterways, indirectly benefitting farmers with more water, all while maintaining a more balanced ecosystem.
Science-Based Framework
The program includes a Science Plan and Science Committee Charter to guide research and monitoring for adaptive water management decisions. This science-driven approach ensures that decisions are based on the latest data, potentially leading to more effective and fair water allocation strategies.
Potential Benefits for Farmers
While the primary focus of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program is on environmental restoration, it offers several potential benefits for the farming community:
- Improved Water Reliability: By taking a more collaborative approach to water management, the program could lead to more predictable and sustainable water supplies for agriculture.
- Balanced Ecosystem: Healthier rivers and landscapes can contribute to a more balanced ecosystem, potentially reducing conflicts between environmental and agricultural water needs.
- Collaborative Decision-Making: The program’s emphasis on partnerships and science-based decisions could give farmers a stronger voice in water management discussions.
- Long-term Sustainability: By addressing the health of our waterways now, we’re investing in the long-term sustainability of both our farms and the surrounding ecosystems.
Farmers and water managers recognize the importance of Healthy Rivers and Landscapes for the overall well-being of our state. The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program offers a promising approach that could benefit both agriculture and the environment. By supporting this initiative and actively participating in its implementation, policymakers in Sacramento can help ensure a sustainable future for California’s water resources and our farming communities.
