Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Salinity Intrusion in the Delta Act.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Water Resources. Existing law, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009, declares that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a critically important natural resource for California and the nation. This bill would enact the Salinity Intrusion in the Delta Act. The act would require the department to identify strategic locations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta where barriers could be constructed to combat salinity intrusion that would reduce the need to contaminate fresh water. The bill would require the department to, at a minimum, identify strategic locations in specified areas. The bill would require the department to consult with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in carrying out these provisions. The bill would require, subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature, the department, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to construct, operate, and maintain barriers at the identified strategic locations. The bill would require the department to prioritize construction of barriers that maximize reductions in the need to contaminate fresh water with minimal adverse impact on the environment, native endangered species, and beneficial uses, especially during dry or drought years. The bill would create the Salinity Barrier Construction Fund. The bill would specify that moneys in the fund would be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for purposes of the act.