After years of planning, the state of California released the latest version of its controversial Bay Delta Conservation Plan on Dec. 9. Encompassing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which drains about half the land mass of the state, the $24.75-billion plan aims to balance the goals of helping 56 species of plants and animals to recover while stabilizing Delta water deliveries to agricultural and municipal users.
The plan's centerpiece includes $16 billion for three new water intakes outfitted with fish-protection screens at the delta's north end; two 30-mile-long, gravity-fed water-conveyance tunnels; and numerous new and upgraded gate and forebay facilities. The new intakes are intended to prevent damaging reverse flows of the Sacramento River that occur with the existing intakes, which are 35 miles downstream from the proposed facilities.