SECTIONS 85020-85023

85020.  The policy of the State of California is to achieve thefollowing objectives that the Legislature declares are inherent inthe coequal goals for management of the Delta: (a) Manage the Delta's water and environmental resources and thewater resources of the state over the long term. (b) Protect and enhance the unique cultural, recreational, andagricultural values of the California Delta as an evolving place. (c) Restore the Delta ecosystem, including its fisheries andwildlife, as the heart of a healthy estuary and wetland ecosystem. (d) Promote statewide water conservation, water use efficiency,and sustainable water use. (e) Improve water quality to protect human health and theenvironment consistent with achieving water quality objectives in theDelta. (f) Improve the water conveyance system and expand statewide waterstorage. (g) Reduce risks to people, property, and state interests in theDelta by effective emergency preparedness, appropriate land uses, andinvestments in flood protection. (h) Establish a new governance structure with the authority,responsibility, accountability, scientific support, and adequate andsecure funding to achieve these objectives.85021.  The policy of the State of California is to reduce relianceon the Delta in meeting California's future water supply needsthrough a statewide strategy of investing in improved regionalsupplies, conservation, and water use efficiency. Each region thatdepends on water from the Delta watershed shall improve its regionalself-reliance for water through investment in water use efficiency,water recycling, advanced water technologies, local and regionalwater supply projects, and improved regional coordination of localand regional water supply efforts.85022.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that state and localland use actions identified as "covered actions" pursuant to Section85057.5 be consistent with the Delta Plan. This section's findings,policies, and goals apply to Delta land use planning and development. (b) The actions of the council shall be guided by the findings,policies, and goals expressed in this section when reviewingdecisions of the commission pursuant to Division 19.5 (commencingwith Section 29700) of the Public Resources Code. (c) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) The Delta is a distinct and valuable natural resource of vitaland enduring interest to all the people and exists as a delicatelybalanced estuary and wetland ecosystem of hemispheric importance. (2) The permanent protection of the Delta's natural and scenicresources is the paramount concern to present and future residents ofthe state and nation. (3) To promote the public safety, health, and welfare, and toprotect public and private property, wildlife, fisheries, and thenatural environment, it is necessary to protect and enhance theecosystem of the Delta and prevent its further deterioration anddestruction. (4) Existing developed uses, and future developments that arecarefully planned and developed consistent with the policies of thisdivision, are essential to the economic and social well-being of thepeople of this state and especially to persons living and working inthe Delta. (d) The fundamental goals for managing land use in the Delta areto do all of the following: (1) Protect, maintain, enhance, and, where feasible, restore theoverall quality of the Delta environment and its natural andartificial resources. (2) Ensure the utilization and conservation of Delta resources,taking into account the social and economic needs of the people ofthe state. (3) Maximize public access to Delta resources and maximize publicrecreational opportunities in the Delta consistent with soundresources conservation principles and constitutionally protectedrights of private property owners. (4) Encourage state and local initiatives and cooperation inpreparing procedures to implement coordinated planning anddevelopment for mutually beneficial uses, including educational uses,in the Delta. (5) Develop new or improved aquatic and terrestrial habitat andprotect existing habitats to advance the goal of restoring andenhancing the Delta ecosystem. (6) Improve water quality to protect human health and theenvironment consistent with achieving water quality objectives in theDelta.85023.  The longstanding constitutional principle of reasonable useand the public trust doctrine shall be the foundation of state watermanagement policy and are particularly important and applicable tothe Delta.