Acronyms Frequently Used for Water, Parks & Wildlife Issues

Glossary of Commonly Used Water, Parks, and Wildlife Issue Acronyms 

BDCP  - The Bay Delta Conservation Plan.  A planning effort led by the Natural Resources Agency to obtain 50-year Endangered Species Act permits for SWP Delta facilities.

CESA - California Endangered Species Act.  Prohibits the "take" (meaning direct or indirect mortality) of fish and wildlife listed under the Act as threatened, endangered or candidates species unless authorized by DFG.  (Fish and Game Code §§ 2050 and sequence.)

Commission - The Fish and Game Commission.   The Commission is a separate entity from DFG that is probably best known for deciding seasons, bag limits and methods of take for game animals and sport fish.  Other Commission responsibilities include controlling exotic species; establishing/regulating use of wildlife areas, ecological reserves and marine protected areas; listing/delisting threatened and endangered species under CESA; prescribing terms and conditions for issuance of licenses/permits by the DFG; and revoking or suspending privileges of those that violate Fish and Game laws and regulations.

Committee - The Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.  The primary jurisdictions of the Committee are water resources, flood management, fish and game, parks and recreation, and wildlife.  It is one of 30 standing policy committees of the California Assembly. 

Council - The Delta Stewardship Council is an independent state agency whose 7-member body consists of four appointments by the Governor and two by the Legislature plus the chair of the Delta Protection Commission. The Council is tasked with developing, adopting, and commencing implementation of a long-term plan for the Delta (see "Delta Plan").

CVP - The Central Valley Project.  A federal water management project wholly within California that is under the supervision of Reclamation. The CVP was devised in 1933 in order to provide irrigation and municipal water to much of California's Central Valley—by regulating and storing water in reservoirs in the northern half of the state and transporting it to the San Joaquin Valley and its surroundings by means of a series of canals, aqueducts and pump plants, some shared with the SWP.

Delta - Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary.  The Delta's boundaries are set forth in Water Code section 12220.  However, that is only the "legal Delta."  Frequently, references to the "Delta" may include the San Francisco Bay, an area which is more correctly called the Bay-Delta.

Delta Plan - A long term plan to meet the coequal goals for the Delta of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta.  In accordance with the 2009 Delta Reform Act, the coequal goals are to be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.

DFG now DFW - Was the California Department of Fish and Game but in accordance with AB 1402 (Huffman/2012) is now the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The department within the Natural Resources Agency that maintains native fish, wildlife, plant species and natural communities for their intrinsic and ecological value and their benefits to people. This includes habitat protection and maintenance as well as the diversified use of fish and wildlife including for recreational, commercial, scientific and educational purposes.  The name of the department was changed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife by legislation that takes effect January 1, 2013.

DPR - Department of Parks and Recreation.  The department within the Natural Resources Agency tasked with providing for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the State's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

DWR - Department of Water Resources.  The department within the Natural Resources Agency that is responsible for managing the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State's people and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environment.  Operates the SWP.

FESA - The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973.  Prohibits "take" of species listed as endangered under the Act, which includes both direct and indirect mortality as well as harm and the adverse modification of habitat critical to the species.  (16 United States Code §1531 and sequence.)

NMFS - National Marine Fisheries Service.  The agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is responsible for stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and their habitat.  The Service is responsible for management, conservation and protection of living marine resources within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (water 3 to 200 miles offshore).

SWP - State Water Project.  A water storage and delivery system of reservoirs, aqueducts, powerplants and pumping plants.  Its main purpose is to store water and distribute it to 29 urban and agricultural water suppliers in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California.  The SWP is maintained and operated by DWR.

SWRCB - State Water Resources Control Board.  A board within the California Environmental Protection Agency that is responsible for preserving, enhancing and restoring the quality of California’s water resources, and ensuring their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.  The board has both water rights and water quality functions.

USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  The agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior with the primary mission of , working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.  It is the only agency of the U.S. Government with that primary mission. The USFWS's   major responsibilities are for migratory birds, endangered species, certain marine mammals, and freshwater and anadromous fish.

Copyright © 2024 State of California

Back to Top