Stewarding Science In the San Francisco Estuary: Cliff Dahm’s years as Delta Lead Scientist for California Photo: CA Dept of Water Resources

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Upper part of San Francisco Estuary “Legal” Delta about 3,000 km 2 ~ 80% of water inflow from Sacramento River 90+% of Delta diked and drained Light green in left panel = tidal wetland Pink in right panel = agricultural lands Figure adapted from Whipple et al. (2012); Early 1800sEarly 2000s

The Delta is California’s Water Hub State and Fed Water Projects Jointly operated 25+ M people (60+% of CA) 1.6 M ha irrigated (~1/3 of all) Economic Stakes CA: $2.2 T GDP CA: $45 B Agriculture (40% of nation) Water supply effects propagate into non-ag sectors and outside CA Figure adapted from Luoma et al. (2015)

California Water Policy is Wicked 230+ agencies and major stakeholders Delta is “ground zero” for water Decades of conflict and litigation Fragmented, adversarial “Win-win” solutions elusive Role of the Delta Lead Scientist Originally created by CA + Feds Independent oversight of the Delta Science Program for CA Science advisor to Delta policymakers and stakeholders Figure adapted from Lubell et al. (2014)

Cliff’s Timeline as Delta Lead Scientist 2008: Cliff starts in July, fiscal crisis follows 2009: Delta Reform Act Passes 2010 – 2011: New Delta agencies rise 2012: Cliff’s term ends early in the year 2014: Inception of “Delta Challenges” 2015: Delta Challenges Report; Cliff returns as Interim Lead Scientist 2016: Current science challenges Photo: Wikipedia

2008: Fire, Brimstone, and Fiscal Crises CA Financial Meltdown Bond freeze Research stoppages State worker furloughs Occurred during run-up to passage of Delta Reform Act

: Standing Up the Delta Science Program Independent Science Board Early work on Delta Plan 2010 Research Solicitation (2 years delayed…) Photo: The Nature Conservancy

Definitions and Foundations for Science in the Delta Plan “Best available science provides understanding for defining problems, developing conceptual models, identifying potential management actions, monitoring ecological and physical responses, and analyzing responses relative to the actions taken.” “Governance for adaptive management should provide a decision-making structure that fosters communication among scientific experts, independent scientific reviewers, and the relevant decision-making authorities … and provide a balanced approach to the involvement of interested stakeholders.” Photo: Rick Lewis

Science Advice on Major Issues State Water Resources Control Board “environmental flows group” Bay-Delta Conservation Plan “logic chain” conceptual models for covered native species Water Project Litigation – advice on collaborative science and co- production Photo: US Bureau of Reclamation

2012: Cliff’s Term Ends. But the Break is Short-Lived…

: “Delta Challenges” Requested by CA Natural Resources Agency and The U.S. Department of the Interior 4-author panel of emeritus Delta Lead Scientists Charge “The Panel will evaluate and synthesize the best available unbiased scientific information and prepare a report in which they will describe concisely why the Delta is such a complex system, what is known with confidence about the major stressors and stressor interactions, why so much uncertainty exists despite the considerable knowledge that has been generated over the past four decades, what the disagreements are, and the compelling reasons for why all of this matters to policy-makers and the public.”

Delta Challenges - 1  Over-Allocated Water Supply  Decaying Infrastructure  Native Ecosystems and Species Declining  Water Quality Threats

Delta Challenges - 2  Upgrading Levees Will Be Costly  Delta Management Is Unusually Complex  Delta Water Availability Uncertainties Have Cascading Implications Outside the State

New Delta Science Program Fellows Key System-Scale Science Challenges o Emergency Drought Barriers o Delta “EcoRestore” Restoration and Adaptive Management o Regional San Wastewater Upgrade State of Bay-Delta Science Science Action Agenda Photo: Bird’s Eye View False River Emergency Drought Barrier, 2015 San Joaquin River in the background

Postscript Cliff’s leadership role here has evolved! - Technical leadership - Delta Science Program management - Mentoring and career development - Delta science policy - Framing of major public policy questions from a scientist’s perspective in Delta Challenges Thanks, Cliff! Photo: Bird’s Eye View