SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) California must make substantial long-term investments to deliver a reliable water supply to a growing population and meet future water needs. These long-term investments must consider all significant risk factors affecting the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, including, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters.
(b) The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, including Suisun Bay and Suisun Marsh, is a unique and irreplaceable combination of environmental and economic resources.
(c) Current management and use of the
delta is not sustainable, and results in a high level of conflict among various interests.
(d) Future management of the delta must improve the means of water conveyance through the delta in order to protect drinking water quality, improve delta ecosystem health, improve water supply reliability, restore ecosystem health, and preserve agricultural and recreational values in the delta.
(e) California depends on fresh water from the delta to support the state’s economy. A loss of water from the delta could dramatically compromise the economic stability of the state.
(f) It is the intent of all Californians to provide a safe, clean, affordable, and sufficient water supply to meet the needs of residents, businesses, farms, and the environment.
(g) Recent
studies indicate that California will experience decreasing snow pack, changing run-off patterns, rising sea levels, and changes in water use. The state has determined that no single approach to water management will adequately address these changes in a way that meets the state’s current and future needs. It will be necessary to invest in additional water infrastructure, including, but not limited to, an improved and reliable water conveyance system, in order to protect the environment and economy of this state.