Announcements
Restoring the Bay/Delta Estuary will require large-scale, integrated,
and innovative solutions. Solutions must be able to address multiple
needs simultaneously, as those that focus on a single issue have not
and will not be successful. Improving the Delta’s
levees has been done in a manner that integrates the protection and improvement
of the
estuary’s
water quality, ecosystem function, recreational opportunities, infrastructure,
and water
supply reliability. Similarly, because of Delta/Suisun Marsh subsidence
and the need to control and reverse its effects, integrating ecosystem
solutions with much needed water quality and flood control benefits are
being advanced.
Working with numerous other interests, we have assembled action-oriented
inter-disciplinary teams to implement projects at Decker Island, Dutch
Slough, Franks Tract/Flooded Islands, Delta Cross Channel, and the North
Delta Flood/Eco Project on McCormack-Williamson Tract and Staten Island.
We have made every effort to seize opportunities so that valuable resources
are not lost. We try to stay focused on end results and on being able
to synthesize and communicate complex issues to the public.
We are committed to demonstration projects and adaptive management
to advance our level of understanding. In particular, we are seeking
to advance the state of knowledge in six principal areas – exotic
species, mercury methylation, subsidence reversal, carbon production,
salinity responses to plan form changes, and risks to the Delta associated
with earthquakes, floods, subsidence and other factors. Our sophisticated
geographical database with its associated GIS modeling capability is
an extremely valuable tool in meeting our mission.
The Branch is comprised of three organizational components that span
several disciplines and focus areas:1) North Delta Programs, 2) Bay-Delta Levees,
and 3) Environmental Compliance and Ecosystem Enhancement. These program components
function in an integrated way that maximizes cross benefits and information
development and exchange.
Finally, we recognize our success to date has been based upon our ability
to work closely with the local interests and that our successes have
been constrained by insufficient funding. In the end, large-scale solutions
are critical if we are to improve sustainable ecosystem functions,
water quality, flood control, recreational opportunities, and water supply
reliability. Restoring this national treasure won’t be quick
or easy. But, by combining the multi-objective approach, sophisticated
interdisciplinary
know-how, and the on-the-ground, functional implementation strategy,
we will continue to solve the complex challenges faced by the Bay-Delta
estuary.
David Mraz, Chief
Delta Suisun Marsh Office
Division of Flood Management
California Department of Water Resources
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
Office:
Resources Building
1416 9th Street, Room 1601
Sacramento, CA 95814
e-mail: dmraz@water.ca.gov
Telephone: (916)651-7017
FAX: (916)651-9678
|
