Water Branch
Programs
- Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
- Delta Mitigation and Restoration Programs
- Ecosystem Restoration Program
- Statewide Water Planning
CDFW Water Branch
830 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Fax: (916) 445-1768
E-mail the Water Branch
E-mail the Water Branch Web Developer
Related Links
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP)
- Environmental Review & Permitting
- Delta Regional Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Plan (DRERIP)
San Francisco Estuary Institute
BDCP Related Agencies
Bay Delta Conservation Plan and Water Operations Program
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan and Water Operations Program (Program) of the Water Branch is the CDFW's lead for the development of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and Bay Delta water operations. Program staff provide technical support and policy guidance to BDCP applicants, lead agencies, and water project managers through various work teams. The Program represents a coordinated effort between CDFW, state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to develop the BDCP and make recommendations for water operations to protect native species in the Bay Delta.
Photo by Department of Water Resources
Bay Delta Conservation Plan
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan Unit represents CDFW in the development of the BDCP. The BDCP is being developed as a Natural Community Conservation Plan, as defined in the California Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCPA; Fish and Game Code § 2800). As the project applicant, the California Department of Water Resources is responsible for preparing the plan in coordination with other plan participants. CDFW is an active partner in BDCP and assists the applicant in all stages of plan preparation to ensure that the BDCP meets the conservation standards set forth in the NCCPA.
Water Project Operations
The Water Operations Unit represents CDFW on multiple work teams that make real-time water operation decisions for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project. The Unit coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service on several fisheries technical teams that make recommendations for adjusting operations to minimize adverse effects on state and federally listed fish species and to ensure compliance with the Federal Endangered Species Act and the California Endangered Species Act.