Spreck Rosekrans is an Economic Analyst at EDF.

The first draft of the Delta Vision's Strategic Plan was released on June 18, 2008, and is very clearly labeled as a “preliminary" product completed by the staff that has not been reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Task Force. Despite these cautions, the report has stirred considerable press interest, including an Associated Press article that cites a potential cost of up to $80 Billion.

We agree it will be expensive but think the cost will be far, far less. And the best way to keep the costs down is to ensure that they are fairly distributed among the beneficiaries of fixing the Delta. Accordingly, we have outlined a series of financial recommendations for the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force.

What is a bit of a surprise, at least to us, is that the staff is apparently suggesting that California’s Department of Water Resources be bifurcated into two agencies. DWR would continue to do statewide planning, flood management and other activities. A new agency, identified as the “California Water Utility” would operate the State Water Project. They further suggest that this utility might also encompass the federal Central Valley Project someday.

This proposal has an obvious appeal to those of us who sometimes think the State Water Project has too much influence at a Department of Water Resources that is supposed to represent public and environmental interests, not simply respond to the needs of the State Water Contractors. We look forward to the opportunity to investigate this proposal further.