California Water Plan Highlights Dec 2005

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A FrnrnP\A mark for Action Maintain and improve Statewide Water Management Systems monitoring programs, economic incentives, water pricing policies, and statewide water- efficiency pro- grams such as appliance standards, labeling, and education. By maintaining and improving our water management systems, we will ensure that Californians have reliable water supplies —clean and affordable water for homes, indus- try, business, and agriculture. Improve Aging Facilities California must rehabilitate and improve its aging water facilities, especially those that provide drink- ing water, sewage treatment, water delivery, and flood control. These are operated by state, federal, and local entities. Aging facilities risk public safety, water supply reliability, and water quality. The State Water Project is over 30 years old; the federal Cen- tral Valley Project is over 50 years old. Some local facilities were constructed nearly 100 years ago. These and other aging facilities must be carefully maintained, rehabili- tated, and improved to protect public investment and make certain that our water management systems continue to provide intended services. Implement the CALFED Program The CALFED Bay -Delta Program is intended to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive plan that will restore ecological health and improve water management for beneficial uses of the Bay -Delta System. The program significantly reduced conflicts over Delta opera- tions through better agency coor- dination and implementation of comprehensive resource manage- ment solutions. The CALFED program proposes actions to: • Improve and increase aquatic and terrestrial habitats and improve ecological functions in the Bay - Delta, • Reduce the mismatch between Bay -Delta water supplies and current and projected beneficial u ses, • Provide good water quality for all beneficial uses, and • Reduce the risk from catastrophic breaching of Delta levees to land use and associated economic activities, water supply, infra- structure, and the ecosystem. State government must provide leadership to revitalize the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. This will con- tinue our progress toward meeting CALFED objectives of improved water supply reliability, good water quality, ecosystem restoration, and levee system integrity. Aging facilities risk public safety, water supply reliability, and water quality. 17