What Are Voluntary Agreements?
Voluntary agreements – now referred to as the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Agreement – emerged as an industry-supported alternative to the State Water Board's staff proposal, what some refer to as the unimpaired flow requirements, dating back to 2018. Initially introduced in March 2022, these voluntary agreements focus on creating an ecosystem-based solution to improve water quality in the Delta by enhancing upstream habitats.
"The unimpaired flow part of the staff report created an onerous impact on water supplies and would have been devastating in most water year types," explained Wade. "The voluntary agreements are a habitat ecosystem-based solution to the Bay-Delta plan."
A Comprehensive Approach
While the agricultural perspective often centers on the ability to pump water when available, Wade emphasized that the voluntary agreements encompass much more. "It's far beyond just pumping water when it's wet and having it available in storage when it's dry. It creates the conditions in the rivers and streams of the Sacramento Bay Delta watershed to help restore fish populations, which ultimately is the goal for this," he said.
The agreements include substantial investments in habitat restoration, with projects covering around 45,000 acres. Included in that is the commitment of up to 825,000 acre-feet of water – depending on the water year – and $2.5 billion allocated for water purchases and habitat projects.
Addressing Current Inefficiencies
Wade highlighted the inefficiencies of current regulations using the example of steelhead populations in the Delta. "We reached the maximum limit on steelhead take at the state and federal pumps, leading to significant reductions in water supply exports," he noted. The voluntary agreements aim to adopt a more holistic approach, improving fish populations across the watershed and allowing for more flexible water management.
Behind-the-Scenes Efforts
The apparent lull in discussions for the past few years about voluntary agreements was due to extensive behind-the-scenes efforts. "There's a lot of writing, research, and science that goes into the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal," Wade explained. This groundwork culminated in a workshop by the State Water Board at the end of April, where proponents presented their findings and engaged in healthy discussions with the board.
Wade praised the board's diligence and openness to vetting proposals and discussing solutions, a crucial aspect of reaching a beneficial outcome for both water users and the environment.
Legislative Support and Future Prospects
Recent legislative changes, such as updates to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), also signal positive water management progress, according to Wade. These updates aim to provide greater flexibility for infrastructure projects by limiting legal review times, which could significantly expedite projects like Sites Reservoir, a project that has the support of Governor Newsom.
The involvement of a broad coalition, including state water contractors, various irrigation districts, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, underscores the wide-reaching support and potential impact of the voluntary agreements.
What's Next?
Looking ahead, Wade anticipates the State Water Board's next steps, which may include issuing a record of decision that could incorporate the voluntary agreements into the water quality control plan. "We're hopeful that it will include voluntary agreements as a major part of this plan," he said.
The optimism extends to other water projects under discussion, such as expanding groundwater recharge with winter storms and the Delta Tunnel. While challenges remain, the forward momentum in water development and management is seen as a positive sign for California's water future.
