It’s Time for Bold New Approaches to Link Delta Science and Policymaking

Cloern, James E.; Hanak, Ellen

doi:10.15447/sfews.2013v11iss3art6

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The value or cost of decreased Central Valley water diversions depends on one's perspective (Cloern et al 2017), but the relative frequency and magnitude of different factors that limit diversions should not. Our results reinforce earlier calls for government agencies to provide transparent, comprehensive, and accurate accounting of water attributed to various public and private uses in California (Cloern and Hanak 2013;Gartrell 2017a). Such accounting can be automated using web-based data-harvesting techniques, and should be updated frequently throughout the year and rectified periodically as more accurate flow estimates become available.…”

Section: Recommendationssupporting

confidence: 87%

Clarifying Effects of Environmental Protections on Freshwater Flows to—and Water Exports from—the San Francisco Bay Estuary

Reis

Howard²,

Rosenfield

2019

SFEWS

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Understanding and resolving conflicts over management of scarce natural resources requires access to information that helps characterize the problem. Where information is lacking, perceived differently by stakeholders, or provided without relevant context, these conflicts can become intractable. We studied water management practices and constraints that affect the flow of water into and through the San Francisco Bay estuary — home to six endangered fish species and two water export facilities owned by the state and federal governments that serve millions of people and large expanses of agricultural land in California. Media reports reflect widely held beliefs that environmental regulations, and particularly protections for endangered fish species, frequently limit water diversions and substantially increase freshwater flow to San Francisco Bay. We analyzed long-term trends in freshwater flow to San Francisco Bay relative to annual runoff from its Central Valley watershed, and the frequency and magnitude of specific regulatory and physical constraints that govern operations of the water export facilities. We found that the percentage of Central Valley runoff that reached San Francisco Bay during the ecologically sensitive winter-spring period declined over the past several decades, such that the estuary experienced drought conditions in most years. During a 9-year period that included a severe natural drought, exports were constrained to maintain salinity control as often as to protect endangered fish populations. Salinity-control and system-capacity constraints were responsible for Delta outflow volumes that dwarfed those related to protection of fish and wildlife populations, endangered or otherwise. These results run counter to common media narratives. We recommend rapid synthesis and easily accessible presentation of data on Central Valley water diversions and constraints on them; such data should be contextualized via comparison to regional hydrology and water management system capacity.

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Section: Recommendationssupporting

confidence: 87%

Clarifying Effects of Environmental Protections on Freshwater Flows to—and Water Exports from—the San Francisco Bay Estuary

Reis

Howard²,

Rosenfield

2019

SFEWS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several issues underscore the need for a clear, organized approach to project planning and implementation in the Delta, including the myriad challenges and management issues facing this complex and highly modified system (Luoma et al 2015); the need for collaborative efforts in science, management, and policy (Cloern and Hanak 2013;Meyer 2013); and the legislative mandates of the Delta Reform Act and the Delta Plan. By using science to improve management, adaptive management can reduce critical uncertainties (and thereby risks) that challenge restoration and other land-and water-management activities in the Delta.…”

Section: Making Adaptive Management More Effective and Efficient In Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Effective communication and collaboration among scientists and managers are key assets to adaptive management (Cloern and Hanak 2013;Meyer 2013). Monitoring and research provide information to reduce risk and increase the reliability of outcome predictions for management options.…”

Section: Facilitate Collaboration Among Scientists and Managersmentioning

confidence: 99%