The Mitigation and Restoration Branch is responsible for analysis and evaluation of ecological, water resource, and restoration projects for the State Water Project and State of California. Branch staff members support the planning and implementation of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan as well as CALFED Record of Decision projects such as the Environmental Water Account and Prospect Island. Branch staff also manage mitigation projects for the State Water Project such as the Delta Fish Agreement, survey biological and geomorphic resources, and design and implement monitoring and restoration programs for Department of Water Resources and California Bay Delta Authority.

The Branch is organized into four sections, Restoration Planning, Monitoring, & Implementation; Delta Fish Agreement (Four Pumps), Bay Delta Conservation Plan; and Special Investigations; where staff members participate in a wide variety of projects.

Restoration Planning, Monitoring, & Implementation Section supports water resource management and restoration projects. Staff members analyze resources for departmental projects, prepare California Environmental Quality Act environmental documents, survey biological resources, and design and manage implementation of restoration projects. Branch members current and recent activities include the Environmental Water Account, Monterey Plus EIR, State Water Project FERC relicensing, biological surveys for the Integrated Storage Investigation, restoration projects on the Merced River, and the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins Comprehensive Study.

Delta Fish Agreement (Four Pumps)
This 1986 agreement between the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Fish and Game offsets adverse fishery impacts caused by the diversion of water at the Harvey O. Banks Delta Pumping Plant, a key part of the State Water Project located at the head of the California Aqueduct. Direct losses of Chinook salmon, steelhead, and striped bass are offset or mitigated through the funding and implementation of fish mitigation projects. DWR and DFG work closely with the Fish Advisory Committee to implement the agreement and projects funded under the agreement. The Fish Advisory Committee is made up of representatives of the State Water Contractors, sport and commercial fishing groups, and environmental groups. More...

Bay Delta Conservation Section supports the planning and implementation of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). This effort is being undertaken by the Department of Water Resources, the Bureau of Reclamation, Mirant Energy and the State and Federal Water Contractors to attain long-term take authorization under CESA and FESA while providing for the conservation and management of covered species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. When complete, the BDCP will provide a plan to restore and protect water supply, water quality, and ecosystem health within a stable regulatory framework. The BDCP will be comprised of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and likely a Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP). The Resources Agency acts as facilitator for the BDCP Steering Committee which consists of the applicants or Potentially Regulated Entities (PREs) mentioned above, fish and wildlife agencies (CDFG, USFWS, NOAA Fisheries), and the non-governmental organizations. More information is available at the following link: http://resources.ca.gov/bdcp/

Special Investigations Section develops and implements State Water Project mitigation agreements and California Bay Delta Authority projects. Branch members current and recent activities include projects on Prospect and Liberty Island, the Yuba River, the Pelagic Fish Action Plan, the San Joaquin River Restoration Project, San Joaquin Basin Fisheries Restoration Projects, and the Los Vaqueros Expansion Project.