| DWR’s Environmental
Planning and Information Branch is responsible for representing the Department
of Water Resources in meeting the objectives under the Suisun Marsh Preservation
Agreement. The Branch continues developing scientific data and solutions
to specific Suisun Marsh issues related to operation of the State Water
Project. Branch staff coordinates with State and federal agencies as well
as local stakeholders in developing the long-term plan, under the CALFED
Ecosystem Restoration Program, that integrates science to achieve the
goals from the CALFED Record of Decision.
The Branch is also responsible for making data readily available to other
agencies and the public. Branch staff provides support to Bay-Delta Science
Consortium, Interagency Ecological Program, and various State and federal
agencies in data management.
The following three sections comprise the Environmental Planning and
Information Branch:
 The
Suisun Marsh Planning
section uses numerical models of the Bay-Delta system to assess impacts
on Bay-Delta hydrodynamics and salinity. This information is developed
in coordination with other State and federal agencies to address potential
impacts of water project operations, managed wetland operations, extreme
hydrological conditions, and proposed hydraulic and/or geometry modifications.
The section has recently expanded into the use of multi-dimensional modeling
capabilities.
Current studies include:
• Salinity / Hydrological Relationship analysis
• Tidal influence for restoration plans
• Calibration and verification of numerical models
• Hydrodynamics and transport process analysis
• DWR, and interagency modeling support for process analysis
 The
Compliance
and Monitoring section is comprised of engineers,
technicians, and biologists that are responsible for implementing the
water quality monitoring under the SWRCB D-1641 and for monitoring operations
and making recommendations to ensure the projects are in compliance with
the SWRCB objectives for the Suisun Marsh. The Section is also responsible
for implementing DWR and USBR obligations under the SMPA. Section staff
accomplishes this through coordination with other agencies and organizations
and active participation in the Environmental Coordination Advisory Team.
ECAT meets bi-monthly with participation from, DFG, United States Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United States Bureau of Reclamation, National
Marine Fisheries Service, USACE, and NOAA Fisheries.
Ongoing Studies:
• Water Quality Monitoring
• Bay-Delta Vertical Datum Realignment
 The
Interagency Information Systems Services section was established
to support data management for the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP).
The initial emphasis was to make numerical data readily available to other
agencies and the public. The Section has recently expanded to develop
and implement distributed databases that provides numerical and GIS data
via the internet. Section staff collaborates with various State and federal
agencies as well as stakeholders to implement such opportunities.
Projects and studies include:
• Interagency Ecological Program (IEP)
• Bay-Delta Science Consortium
• Oroville Facilities Relicensing
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