California advances Bay-Delta Plan Update to restore ecosystem health and improve water supply reliability – Governor of California (.gov)

Report on California’s Bay-Delta Plan Update and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

Executive Summary

On July 24, 2025, the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) proposed a significant update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. This initiative aims to modernize a framework that has not been substantially revised since 1995, incorporating current climate science and a collaborative management approach. The updated plan, centered around the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program, seeks to balance ecosystem restoration with water supply reliability for millions of Californians. This report analyzes the plan’s components and its direct contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Core Initiative: The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program

The cornerstone of the proposed update is the integration of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program. Developed by the Newsom Administration in conjunction with diverse stakeholders, the HRL Program represents an innovative, voluntary pathway for achieving water quality and ecosystem objectives. It is presented as an alternative to traditional, purely regulatory mandates.

Key Objectives of the HRL Program

• To improve environmental conditions through a combination of dedicated water flows and large-scale habitat restoration projects.
• To provide greater water supply certainty for municipal, agricultural, and commercial users.
• To implement a science-driven, adaptive management strategy for the Sacramento River, the Delta, and their tributaries.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Bay-Delta Plan update is fundamentally aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, making direct contributions to the following goals:

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation & SDG 15: Life on Land

The plan directly addresses targets for water resource management and ecosystem protection. By updating a decades-old plan, it strengthens the framework for integrated water resources management (Target 6.5). The core focus on ecosystem health is a direct action toward protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6) and freshwater ecosystems (Target 15.1).

• Habitat Restoration: The plan commits to restoring over 45,000 acres of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, crucial for supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services (Target 15.5).
• Environmental Flows: A significant quantity of water will be dedicated to the environment to improve river health and support native species.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The plan’s emphasis on restoring aquatic habitats and improving river flows is critical for the health of fish and other wildlife in the Bay-Delta estuary, which supports numerous species. This contributes to the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts (Target 14.2).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The HRL Program is a model for the multi-stakeholder partnerships advocated for in SDG 17. It moves away from adversarial processes toward voluntary agreements built on collaboration.

1. Stakeholder Engagement: The program was developed through the cooperation of state, federal, and local agencies.
2. Public-Private Collaboration: It establishes a framework for agreements with public water agencies, agricultural interests, and other private water rights holders.
3. Inclusive Participation: The development process included input from environmental nonprofits and tribal partners, ensuring a more inclusive approach to resource management (Target 17.17).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities & SDG 13: Climate Action

The plan enhances the resilience of California’s communities and economy by addressing the impacts of climate change on water resources. By providing more reliable water supplies, it supports the sustainability of cities and agricultural sectors (Target 11.5). The entire initiative is an adaptive measure to build resilience to climate-related hazards, directly contributing to climate action (Target 13.1).

Implementation Framework and Governance

Regulatory Pathways

The updated plan proposes two distinct regulatory pathways for water users:

1. The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program: A comprehensive, collaborative track involving commitments to both flow and non-flow projects (i.e., habitat restoration).
2. A Flow-Only Approach: A default regulatory requirement for entities not participating in the HRL Program.

Financial and Legislative Support

• Funding: Governor Newsom has secured $2.9 billion in funding commitments to implement the HRL program over an eight-year period.
• Streamlining Regulations: A legislative proposal has been introduced to create new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for water quality control plans. This measure aims to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the Bay-Delta Plan, enhancing the effectiveness of governing institutions in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Conclusion

The proposed update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan represents a critical step toward a sustainable and resilient water future for California. By embedding the collaborative Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program into its framework, the state is advancing a model that simultaneously pursues environmental restoration and economic stability. The plan’s strong alignment with multiple Sustainable Development Goals underscores its significance as a comprehensive strategy for addressing the interconnected challenges of water management, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The plan will now undergo a public comment period before final consideration by the State Water Board.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article is centered on the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which directly addresses the management of water resources, water quality, and supply reliability for human consumption and agriculture. It discusses safeguarding water supplies and balancing the demands for water, which are core components of SDG 6.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly mentions that the previous plan from 1995 is outdated because it “does not reflect… a changing climate.” The new plan is presented as a necessary update to adapt California’s water management strategies to the current and future impacts of climate change, aligning with the goal of strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The plan aims to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, an estuary where freshwater from rivers meets the ocean. The focus on restoring “aquatic habitat for fish and other animals” and supporting “irreplaceable fish populations” directly relates to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The initiative is named the “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program,” indicating a focus on inland freshwater ecosystems. The article details efforts to “protect the Sacramento River, the Delta and associated tributaries” and “improve the health of our rivers,” which falls under the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity as outlined in SDG 15.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article heavily emphasizes a collaborative approach. It highlights the creation of “voluntary agreements with water users,” and the development of the plan with input from “public water agencies, environmental nonprofits, tribal partners, and local governments.” This multi-stakeholder partnership model is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.

   The entire Bay-Delta Plan update represents an effort to implement integrated water resources management. The article states the plan will “help maintain a strong balance between protecting precious ecosystems and ensuring the state can meet the needs of Californians.” The creation of the “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program” through “voluntary agreements with water users, including municipal water agencies, agriculture, and other water rights holders” is a clear example of this integrated approach.

2. Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.

   The article directly supports this target by stating the plan will “restore tens of thousands of acres of habitat” and that the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) program will “improve the health of our rivers by both restoring river flows and revitalizing habitat.”

3. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   The impetus for updating the plan is the need to adapt to new realities not present in 1995. The article notes, “Continuing to operate under a plan that does not reflect the most current science, a growing population, or a changing climate is a disservice to California’s communities and ecosystems.” The new plan is a strategic adaptation to build resilience in the state’s water system.

4. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.

   The Bay-Delta is a crucial coastal estuary. The plan’s goal to “restore more than 45,000 acres of aquatic habitat for fish and other animals” and “support California’s irreplaceable fish populations and habitats” directly contributes to this target.

5. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

   The article focuses on the “Sacramento River, the Delta and associated tributaries,” which are inland freshwater ecosystems. The plan aims to “protect our natural resources for the benefit of the habitats and people of our state,” directly aligning with the conservation and restoration goals of this target.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article describes the plan as being “developed with extensive public input, including public water agencies, environmental nonprofits, tribal partners, and local governments.” This collaborative model, which resulted in the “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program,” is a textbook example of the multi-stakeholder partnerships promoted by this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators:

• Area of restored habitat:

  A specific quantitative indicator is mentioned for measuring progress on habitat restoration (Targets 6.6, 14.2, 15.1). The article states the HRL program would “restore more than 45,000 acres of aquatic habitat for fish and other animals.”

• Financial resources committed:

  Progress can be measured by the allocation of financial resources. The article specifies that “Governor Newsom secured funding commitments totalling $2.9 billion to implement the HRL program over the next 8 years.” This serves as a direct indicator of commitment and implementation capacity.

• Implementation of integrated water management policies:

  The adoption of the “Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan” and the “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program” itself serves as a key indicator for Target 6.5. The article notes the program has “advanced to the State Water Board for consideration as an implementation pathway.” Final adoption would be a measurable milestone.

• Volume of environmental water flows:

  An implied indicator for Target 6.6 is the amount of water dedicated to the environment. The article mentions the HRL program would “dedicate a large quantity of water to the environment” and focus on “restoring river flows.” Measuring this volume would be a way to track progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gov.ca.gov