The Bay-Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) will support the issuance of take authorizations for Covered Activities under the Natural Community Conservation Plan Act (NCCPA) and or the California Endangered Species Act.  The BDCP also serves as a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that meets the requirements of section 10(a)(2)(A) of Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA), and serves as a Biological Assessment that provides the basis for consultations between Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service under section 7(a)(2) of FESA.  In concert with the development of the HCP/NCCP, Department of Water Resources (DWR) is leading the preparation the joint Environmental Impact Report/Statement.  The BDCP while focused on the aquatic environment, associated natural communities and ecosystems within the statutory Delta, will also address terrestrial species and communities affected by plan actions and may include conservation actions outside of the statutory Delta that advance the goals and objectives of the BDCP, such as actions in the Suisun Marsh, Suisun Bay, and areas upstream of the Delta.  Development of the BDCP is guided by the Planning Agreement (PDF) regarding the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan.

The involvement of the Department of Fish and Game through the Water Branch in the development and implementation of the BDCP is an essential component of the environmental compliance and conservation planning processes that is the foundation of the BDCP.  Active participation by the Department in preparation of the plan is intended to assure that final plan meets the requirements of the NCCPA to the maximum extent. Water Branch staff provides technical support and policy guidance including the development of the conservation strategy and related actions, biological goals and objectives, governance structure, technical modeling, and supporting environmental documents.  Water Branch staff also supports DWR in the collection of baseline data for impact analyses.