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SB 12: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Act of 2009 (2009)

Summary

Note: The current version of this bill is SB 7X 1 (Senate Bill, 7th Extraordinary Session, #1).

Senate Bill X7 1 lays out a clear path for governance of the Delta, and establishes the two co-equal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring and enhancing the Delta ecosystem.

It creates a new governing Council for the Delta and establishes a detailed plan for water conservation and efficiency, securing water supplies from earthquake disruptions as well as dislocations resulting from climate change. The bill requires the State Water Resources Control Board to establish environmentally protective inflow standards for the Delta prior to a change in the point of diversion for water exports.

The bill creates a new Delta Conservancy to acquire lands and to facilitate ecosystem restoration, and would revise the composition and duties of the Delta Protection Commission
It establishes an independent science board to inform the Council and establishes a process for developing a Natural Communities Conservation Plan, the highest level of environmental protection for threatened and endangered species in the Delta.

 

Text and Status

You can find the most recent text and status of SB 12 on the Legislature's Bill Information site.

News & Press Releases about SB 12

02/03/2010 - Delta Dawn?

12/31/2009 - New year bringing new laws

11/12/2009 - Simitian Delta Protection and Water Supply Bill Signed by Governor

11/04/2009 - Simitian Delta/Water Bill Approved By Legislature, Goes To Governor For Signature

09/06/2009 - Mercury News: California must fix the broken ecosystem that supplies two-thirds of its water

08/25/2009 - Mercury News: The South Bay needs the Delta peripheral canal

08/25/2009 - LA Times: On water issue, Democrats try to give up some power

08/19/2009 - New York Times: Water Compromise Elusive in Calif. Debate Over 'Broken' Ecosystem

08/17/2009 - KQED Forum: Water Bill Hearing Preview

08/06/2009 - A New Fix for California's Water Woes?

04/14/2009 - Simitian's SB 12 to revitalize and protect San Joaquin Delta passes senate committee