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Title: Delta Project Initial Assessment |
Abstract/Description: At the confluence of California’s two largest rivers—the Sacramento and San Joaquin—with the San Francisco Bay lies the Delta, forming the largest estuary on the west coast of North and South America. The over 600,000-acre Delta region is a haven for wildlife, supporting more than 750 species of plants and animals. This area has been identified by the Nature Conservancy of California’s (TNCC) ecological assessment of the Central Valley as a vast, high priority “portfolio site”, one of a suite of biologically rich and viable places that collectively embrace the unique natural diversity of an ecoregion (Map on cover). The Project Area encompasses all lands east of the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers which were historically influenced by tidal action.
The historical Delta (circa 1850) was an extensive, intertidal wetland, a complex and variable mosaic of marshes, small and large ponds, mudflats, and seasonally inundated islands of dense forest. The complexity of the habitats combined with twice daily tidal inundation and winter and spring flooding created a dynamic system of dendritic drainages, backwater sloughs, summer islands, and extensive winter floodplains that supported numerous now rare and endangered species.
Historical land use changes and water demands of over 15 million people have drastically altered the natural Delta ecosystem, destroying nearly 100% of tidal wetlands. Today, agricultural, industrial, and urban uses continue to threaten its once rich habitats, converting habitat and altering natural quantities and patterns of water flow. Indeed, the Delta cannot be restored to its historical ecological state, largely because subsidence has lowered much land too far to be restored to more shallow tidal marshland. However, large-scale restoration is still possible.
Currently, widespread attention has focused on this unique ecosystem as CALFED, a multi-billion dollar joint state-federal program developed to balance water demands and ecosystem integrity in the Bay-Delta region, offers an unprecedented opportunity for restoration of the delta ecosystem. The conservation strategy for the Delta Project will focus on restoration largely through the CALFED process. Demonstrated success of site-based restoration of both natural habitat and wildlife-friendly agriculture will not only augment remnant habitat, but also maintain and increase CALFED’s momentum.
Long-term Vision: The long-term vision of the Delta Project is restoration and maintenance of a significant representation of Delta habitats, now severely reduced from historic extent. Key to achieving this very ambitious vision is ensuring success of CALFED. Key stakeholders and institutions involved in the CALFED process must make decisions and act to ensure viability of the CALFED program. Because implementation of CALFED is so critical, TNCC has adopted long-term restoration and protection goals identified through CALFED’s efforts as follows:
• 71,000 to 86,000 acres of tidal marsh and wetland habitat and 43-55 linear miles of riparian habitat are restored.
• 40,000 to 75,000 acres of compatible agriculture supporting wildlife-friendly seasonal wetlands are established while maintaining the long-term contribution of agriculture to the local economy.
Given that the long-term vision is dependent on complex political and scientific factors, TNCC has set forth a short-term, more limited goal for landscape-scale preservation of the Delta that will contribute to viability of the CALFED program and, over the next 10 years, help spur CALFED to long-term success (Table 1). TNCC’s work seeks to demonstrate successful Delta habitat restoration in order to catalyze additional protection and restoration efforts by others to achieve CALFED’s long-term goals. This short-term vision aims to set in motion critical components of CALFED’s restoration efforts through establishment of a sustainable representation of the original Delta mosaic in the following three nodes (Map 1):
• Mokelumne River Corridor (15,600 acres)
• Barker Slough-Cache Creek (up to approximately 18,000 acres)
• Yolo Bypass (acreage to be determined).
Associated Projects:
CALFED Bay-Delta Program, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies, Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL, Non-Aeration Feasibility Studies Criteria Evaluation for the San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL, Peer Review of San Joaquin River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Studies
Main Subjects:
Habitat / Species, Ecosystem Restoration, Communication / Planning, Agriculture
Specific Subjects:
seasonal wetlands, riparian, land acquisition, stakeholder process, planning visions, goals, funding, Threats, Stressors, Strategic Planning, wildlife friendly practices, land conversion, tidal marsh
Species Keywords:
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| Publication & Citation |
Author(s):
Valerie Calegerie, John Cain, Robin Cox, Mike Eaton, Keith Whitener, Leslie Friedman-Johnson, Henry Little, Richard Reiner, Christine Tam, Chris Unkel, Keith Whitener
Contributor(s):
Citation:
Publisher:
The Nature Conservancy
Publication Date:
February
21,
2001
Currentness:
Funder(s):
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| Format & Access |
Information Resource Type:
Reports
(Documents)
Media Type / Format:
Computer File
Access Limitations:
Public
Use Limitations:
No Limitations
To Obtain:
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| Location Information |
Cities / Urban Areas:
Counties:
Specific Location Names:
Undefined:
Water / Special Districts:
Watershed / Streams:
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First Entered by:
Ben Pearl on 2005/01/30
Last Edited by:
Dave Siedband on 2005/02/10
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