Draft California Report Recommends Saving More Agricultural Land in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
A draft report in California proposes reducing the conversion of agricultural land in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for natural habitat and flood control purposes. The report, released in September, follows a 17-year-old mandate for state officials to establish a more reliable water supply and restore wildlife habitats in the Delta. Amanda Bohl, executive director of the Delta Protection Commission, stated that the report aims to re-center agriculture in the conversation, aligning with the state's policy of co-equal goals for water supply reliability and ecosystem health. While the report suggests reducing the amount of land previously planned for conversion, it does not specify the potential costs to taxpayers or which agencies would bear these expenses. It also recommends methods to enhance the agricultural and economic viability of farms in the Delta, alongside strategies to decrease carbon emissions and subsidence.
