Extensively modified over the last century and a half, California's San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary remains biologically diverse and functions as a central element in California's water supply system. Uncertainties about the future, actions taken under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and companion California statues, and lawsuits have led to conflict concerning the timing and amount of water that can be diverted from the Delta for agriculture, municipal, and industrial purposes and concerning how much water is needed to protect the Delta ecosystem and its component species.

Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta focuses on scientific questions, assumptions, and conclusions underlying water-management alternatives and reviews the initial public draft of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan in terms of adequacy of its use of science and adaptive management. In addition, this report identifies the factors that may be contributing to the decline of federally listed species, recommend future water-supple and delivery options that reflect proper consideration of climate change and compatibility with objectives of maintaining a sustainable Bay-Delta ecosystem, advises what degree of restoration of the Delta system is likely to be attainable, and provides metrics that can be used by resource managers to measure progress toward restoration goals.

Table of Contents

Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction
2 Scarcity: The Challenges of Water and Environmental Management in the Delta and Beyond
3 Stressors: Environmental Factors and Their Effects on the Bay-Delta Ecosystem
4 Environmental Change: Challenges and Opportunities
5 Constraints and Opportunities for Multifaceted Water Planning
Appendix A: Summary of A Scientific Assessment of Alternatives for Reducing Water Management Effect on Threatened and Endangered Fishes in California's Bay-Delta
Appendix B: Summary of A Review of the Use of Science and Adaptive Management in California's Draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan
Appendix C: Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta
Appendix D: Public Session Speakers
Appendix E: Changes in the Zooplankton of the San Francisco Estuary
Appendix F: Methods to Support Decision Making
Appendix G: Water Science and Technology Board
Appendix H: Ocean Studies Board
Appendix I: Biographical Sketches for Members of the Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta

Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta - heftet, Engelsk, 2012