A new state agency has formally assumed responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Bay-Delta Program. The Program is a collaborative effort to implement a long-term, comprehensive plan to restore the ecological health of the Bay-Delta system and improve water quality and water supply reliability.

The California Bay-Delta Authority provides a permanent governance structure for the collaborative state-federal effort that began in 1994. The Authority was established by enactment of Senate Bill 1653 (Costa) of 2002. It is composed of representatives from six state and six federal agencies, five regionally-based and two at-large public members, a Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee representative, and four ex officio members.

Prior to creation of the Authority, the Program functioned as a consortium of state and federal agencies, each operating under its independent statutory authority to implement various elements of the Bay-Delta Plan. Now with the California Bay-Delta Authority, the agencies have a more formalized role in advancing the goals of the Program.

The legislation calls for the Authority to sunset on January 1, 2006, unless federal legislation has been enacted authorizing the participation of appropriate federal agencies.