(a) The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) shall be considered for inclusion in the Delta Plan in accordance with this chapter.

(b) The BDCP shall not be incorporated into the Delta Plan and the public benefits associated with the BDCP shall not be eligible for state funding, unless the BDCP does all of the following:

(1) Complies with Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code.

(2) Complies with Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, including a comprehensive review and analysis of all of the following:

(A) A reasonable range of flow criteria, rates of diversion, and other operational criteria required to satisfy the criteria for approval of a natural community conservation plan as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 2820 of the Fish and Game Code, and other operational requirements and flows necessary for recovering the Delta ecosystem and restoring fisheries under a reasonable range of hydrologic conditions, which will identify the remaining water available for export and other beneficial uses.

(B) A reasonable range of Delta conveyance alternatives, including through-Delta, dual conveyance, and isolated conveyance alternatives and including further capacity and design options of a lined canal, an unlined canal, and pipelines.

(C) The potential effects of climate change, possible sea level rise up to 55 inches, and possible changes in total precipitation and runoff patterns on the conveyance alternatives and habitat restoration activities considered in the environmental impact report.

(D) The potential effects on migratory fish and aquatic resources.

(E) The potential effects on Sacramento River and San Joaquin River flood management.

(F) The resilience and recovery of Delta conveyance alternatives in the event of catastrophic loss caused by earthquake or flood or other natural disaster.

(G) The potential effects of each Delta conveyance alternative on Delta water quality.

(c) The department shall consult with the council and the Delta Independent Science Board during the development of the BDCP. The council shall be a responsible agency in the development of the environmental impact report. The Delta Independent Science Board shall review the draft environmental impact report and submit its comments to the council and the Department of Fish and Game.

(d) If the Department of Fish and Game approves the BDCP as a natural community conservation plan pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code, the council shall have at least one public hearing concerning the incorporation of the BDCP into the Delta Plan.

(e) If the Department of Fish and Game approves the BDCP as a natural community conservation plan pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 2800) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code and determines that the BDCP meets the requirements of this section, and the BDCP has been approved as a habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.), the council shall incorporate the BDCP into the Delta Plan. The Department of Fish and Game’s determination that the BDCP has met the requirements of this section may be appealed to the council.

(f) The department, in coordination with the Department of Fish and Game, or any successor agencies charged with BDCP implementation, shall report to the council on the implementation of the BDCP at least once a year, including the status of monitoring programs and adaptive management.

(g) The council may make recommendations to BDCP implementing agencies regarding the implementation of the BDCP. BDCP implementing agencies shall consult with the council on these recommendations. These recommendations shall not change the terms and conditions of the permits issued by state and federal regulatory agencies.

(Added by Stats. 2009, 7th Ex. Sess., Ch. 5, Sec. 39. (SB 1 7x) Effective February 3, 2010.)