TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: April 30, 2025
Subject: CONSIDER the proposed updated Delta Water Platform and RECOMMEND its adoption to the Board of Supervisors
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Department: THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT || WATER AGENCY
Referral No: 1, 5
Referral Name: Review legislative matters on transportation, water and infrastructure; Review projects, plans and legislative matters that may affect the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta, including but not limited to conveyance, flood control, dredging, climate change, habitat conservation, governance, water storage, development of an ordinance regarding polystyrene foam food containers, monitor waste diversion initiatives, and water quality, supply and reliability, consistent with the Board of Supervisors adopted Delta Water Platform.
Presenter: Ryan Hernandez || Principal Planner | DCD
Contact: Ryan Hernandez | (925) 655-2919
Referral History:
Contra Costa County adopted the Delta Water Platform in 2008 and updated the Delta Water Platform in 2014 to identify and promote activities and policy positions that protect and improve the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). The Delta Water Platform establishes the priorities, principles, and policy statements that guide the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and Water Agency’s positions on key policy matters that would impact the County and the Delta.
The Delta is the largest freshwater tidal estuary of its kind on the west coast of the Americas, draining a watershed that stretches from the western Sierra to the Central Valley through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers to the San Francisco Bay. The Delta provides invaluable ecological, economic, and cultural resources to Contra Costa County and the entire Delta region, as well as a portion of the drinking water for much of the population of California.
The previous version of the Delta Water Platform was brought to the Committee on April 3, 2014, in advance of its adoption by the Board of Supervisors on May 13, 2014.
Referral Update:
The Delta Water Platform has been updated to better address the current conditions of the Delta ecosystem, communities, and economy; impacts associated with climate change; and developments in water resilience technologies, strategies, and science. The Delta Water Platform has been refined and expanded and includes new policies not yet considered by the Committee.
The updated Delta Water Platform enables the County to more effectively advocate for the future of the Delta, with a focus on environmental justice and the urgent need to address climate change impacts. The Legislation Committee received a presentation on the updated Delta Water Platform on April 9, 2025.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER the proposed updated Delta Water Platform and RECOMMEND its adoption to the Board of Supervisors.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No direct fiscal impact to the County from the adoption of the Delta Water Platform. Implementation of actions in the Delta Water Platform could result in expenditures related to those activities and/or additional State and Federal funds could flow to Contra Costa County.