State decision makers are making inroads on planning, but lagging on implementation of solutions to fix the beleaguered Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. That is the conclusion of the 2012 Delta Vision Report Card, released by the Delta Vision Foundation.
While those responsible for overall policy direction for the State's water, environmental, and Delta issues did not fare as well as in last year's annual evaluation, some state agencies, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and the State Water Resources Control Board, were lauded for advances in leadership, management strategy, and coordination. The Report Card evaluated implementing agencies for their leadership, strategic direction, coordination, results, and accountability.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta serves various pleasure boats and vessels, the recreation industry and local fishermen. DWR photo
"The 2012 Delta Vision Report Card gives credit for the effort demonstrated over the past four years," says Delta Vision Foundation President Sunne Wright McPeak. "However, the continued urgency of conditions in the Delta and precarious statewide water supply stability demand action. The Delta ecosystem and water supply reliability remain at critical risk of failure. The State must demonstrate more leadership, action, and implementation in the immediate future."
The annual evaluation by the Delta Vision Foundation, established by former members of the Governor's Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, assigns letter grades to State and Federal Agencies, the Governor's Administration and Legislature, and on stakeholder cooperation. Grades reflect progress on implementing the actions recommended in the 2008 Delta Vision Strategic Plan, and results in achieving the Two Co-Equal Goals of (1) restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem and (2) ensuring a reliable water supply for California. The Plan described a set of integrated, linked actions to address long-standing problems and conflicts in the Delta.
"The State made a major investment in and helped facilitate the Delta Vision, but unfortunately not enough progress has been made," says Linda Adams, former Secretary of CalEPA and a Delta Vision Foundation Board Director.
"These grades were based on a number of parameters, with particular emphasis on leadership, management, coordination, and accountability," says Board Director Mike Chrisman, former California Natural Resources Agency Secretary. "While the assessment recognizes that budget constraints and the business of running the world's eighth largest economy have hindered progress, there is no time to waste in fixing the Delta. The State is not doing enough, fast enough."
View the full Report Card at http://www.deltavisionfoundation.org/