Endangered Species Law & Policy

As we previously reported, representatives of the Federal government asked the National Research Council’s Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta to consider amending its existing task by agreeing to conduct a review of the draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).  In a letter (PDF) dated September 10, 2010 and addressed to representatives of the Departments of the Interior and Commerce, the National Research Council agreed to provide a "short report" assessing the adequacy of the use of science and adaptive management in the draft BDCP.  The Council indicates in the letter that the task will be carried out by a specially appointed panel that will include many but not all members of the Committee on Sustainable Water and Environmental Management in the California Bay-Delta.  The letter further indicates that if the National Research Council receives the draft BDCP by November 24, 2010 it will deliver its report by April 30, 2011.

In the letter, the Council states that it will follow its usual procedure in appointing the panel to review the draft BDCP and provide an opportunity for notice and comment regarding nominees to serve on the panel.  The Committee's next meeting is scheduled for December 8-10, 2010 in San Francisco.