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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 10141997 - C66 n � Y Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ' / Costa x, wmaa , FROM: WATER COMMITTEE :; 0', SrA coun SUPERVISOR GAYLE B. UILKEMA, CHAIR -- '`�y, County `� SUPERVISOR JOE CANCIAMILLA DATE: OCTOBER 14, 1997 SUBJECT: REPORT FROM THE WATER COMMITTEE ON LETTERS TO THE CALFED BAY-DELTA PROGRAM REGARDING THE DRAFT ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM PLAN AND PROPOSED HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS AUTHORIZE the Chair to sign letters to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program conveying comments on the Draft Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan and the scope of the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan. FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is a joint state-federal planning process which is attempting to address, in a comprehensive manner, the following four general types of problems in the Bay-Delta system: 1 ) water quality; 2) ecosystem quality; 3) reliability of water supply; and 4) integrity of Delta levees. CALFED staff are currently working on the programmatic phase of the environmental review process. This report CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ✓ YES RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR X RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): Supervi/rG4ayieilkema, Chair Super or Joe Canciamilla ACTION OF BOARD ON October 14, 1997 APPR VED S RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT = AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: John Kopchik (510/335-1227) ATTESTED Qrtcber 14, 1QQ7 cc: Community Development Department (CDD) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE County Administrator BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY (/. J , DEPUTY h:\\cdadpool\jkopc\cfederpp.bo 1,1 J_4 CALFED Bay-Delta Program October 14, 1997 Page 2 of 2 pertains to two components of CALFED's comprehensive planning process, the Draft Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan("ERPP") and the scope of the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan("HCP") for the Delta. CALFED has now released all three volumes of the Draft ERPP and comments are due on October 14. The Draft ERPP describes specific objectives, indicators, and strategies for restoring the Bay-Delta Ecosystem. It sets qualitative and quantitative targets for restoring the following: key ecosystem processes (such as river flows, flood plains, flood processes, etc.); specific habitat types (such as seasonal wetlands and riparian habitat); key species (such as salmon, neotropical migratory birds, etc.). The Draft ERPP also sets targets for abating significant "stressors" to a functioning ecosystem, such as water diversions, invasive species, contaminants, etc. In addition, the ERPP divides the problem area into 18 "ecological zones," translates the general targets described above into specific targets for each zone, and describes a strategy for adaptive management that allows the program to be adjusted mid-course based on monitoring and any new experience that is gained. The County may wish to comment on the Draft ERPP to urge that water quality and outflow in the Delta are adequately protected, that the Plan allow for significant adaptive management, that implementation targets and project performance be measureable, that the feedback from the scientific peer review process be heeded, that recreational and educational opportunities be considered, and, finally, that, buffers be developed between agricultural lands and restored habitat. A draft comment letter is attached. CALFED recently released a Notice of Preparation for an HCP for the overall Bay-Delta Program, though apparently a final decision has not been made that an HCP will be completed. The purpose of completing an HCP is not to develop new project actions, but to provide some assurance and certainty to concerned parties that: a) planned actions will be implemented; and b) that stricter regulation or actions beyond what is planned will not be imposed. The most direct consequence of the HCP would be an assurance to diverters of Delta water that, if implementation of the CALFED plan does not prevent the further decline of endangered species or the listing of unlisted species covered in the HCP, these diverters will not be restricted further or required to contribute additional funds (the "no surprises" policy). The County may wish to comment on the scope of the proposed HCP to urge that, if the "no surprises" incentive is to be granted, that the HCP contains adequate protections not only for fisheries, but also for Delta water quality, adequate Delta outflow, and other County interests. The deadline for comment on the NOP is October 20. A draft comment letter is attached. h:\\cdadpool\jkopc\cfederpp.bo The Board of Supervisors Contra ��'Of 019 °' and County Administration BuildingCosta i 335�jgpptor 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Jim Ropers,let DWbW s e t Goyle B.UUksma,2nd District Donna Gwbar,3rd District Mark Deftulnlar,4th District Joe carml.mlua sth aistict October 14, 1997 6 J; CSO:• _�.•Ct~ ST'; COUT3� Mr. Lester Snow,Executive Director CALFED Bay-Delta Program 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1155 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Draft Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan Dear Mr. Snow: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has authorized this letter to convey its comments on CALFED's Draft Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan("ERPP"). Contra Costa County believes that it is vitally important that CALFED succeed in its mission to restore the once great natural resources of Delta to the benefit of everyone who relies on and enjoys it. The ERPP is the linchpin of this effort, and the three volume Draft Plan describes what is probably the largest, most complicated ecosystem restoration project yet attempted. Because the unprecedented scale of the effort raises a host of uncertainties,and because it is so important that the plan succeed,the County suggests that CALFED consider the following as it revises and implements the ERPP: • habitat restoration and the expected resulting benefits to the ecosystem as a whole should be guided as much as possible by specific measurable and quantifiable objectives; • the program must include a robust adaptive management plan which can respond to advances in scientific understanding and correct problems of all magnitude with the original ERPP; the adaptive management plan should not,however,reduce our assurances that significant restoration actions will be taken; • CALFED has wisely gathered a team of independent experts to peer review the ERPP-their valuable input should be utilized even if this would prolong the planning process as it is much easier to make corrections earlier rather than later. In addition, the County has several more specific comments. First, as CALFED refines and implements the ERPP, the County urges you to consider secondary or spinoff benefits of various restoration projects to delta recreation and science education. Second, the County recommends that CALFED develop buffers between agricultural lands and restored habitat, a role that perhaps could be performed by areas of upland habitat established to complement wetland functions. Likewise,the County suggests that the ERPP more closely address the issue of reducing contaminant loads in the Delta, an important and often overlooked ecological stressor in the Delta system. Finally,the ERPP must ensure that freshwater flows through the Delta are adequate to maintain fisheries and water quality. Thank you for accepting the comments of Contra Costa County on this matter. Should you have any questions on this letter please contact John Kopchik of our Community Development Department at(510) 335-1227. Sincerely, Mark DeSaulnier, Chair Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors cc: Dick Daniel, CALFED Bay-Delta Program J:\\cdadpool\jkopc\cfederpp.com a The Board of Supervisors Contra �kofOw WW County Administration BuildingCosta CQU A&rdntsftt« 651 Pine Street, Room 106 (510)3&s-19W Martinez,Caldomia 94553-1293 County Jim hopers,1st Dishid se..L. Clayle 8.Ullksms,.2nd District Donne Garber,3rd District % Mark Deftulnler,4th District -/ Joe ll1 SM Dish -� - October 14, 1997 spq coi " Mr. Lester Snow, Executive Director CALFED Bay-Delta Program 1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1155 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: CALFED's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan Dear Mr. Snow: The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has authorized this letter to convey its comments on the scoping notice for CALFED's proposed Habitat Conservation Plan ("HCP"). Contra Costa County believes that completing an HCP and extending the"no surprises"policy to diverters of Delta water would provide these diverters with substantial assurance that no additional regulation will be placed on them to limit or correct the environmental damage caused by their operations. Such assurance should only be granted if the ultimate health of the Delta ecosystem can be assured to a similar degree. For instance, in addition to firm commitments to the extent of habitat restoration, to limiting diversions, to ensuring adequate freshwater flows through the Delta, and to meeting ecosystem objectives through adaptive management, any HCP must require specific enforceable performance criteria for improving water quality in the Delta. All of these ecosystem restoration assurances should be incorporated as specific permit conditions of an HCP. Likewise, any HCP for the Delta should allow for adjustments to habitat requirements as scientific understanding of these issues expands. Thank you for accepting the comments of Contra Costa County on this matter. Should you have any questions on this letter please contact John Kopchik of our Community Development Department at(510) 335-1227. Sincerely, Mark DeSaulnier, Chair Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors cc: Mary Scoonover J:\\cdadpool\jkopc\cfedhcp.com