Secretary Ross joins in signing of historic MOU for Northern California watershed health

State and federal government agencies signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday at California Natural Resources Agency headquarters, advancing long-term watershed health through floodplain restoration in the Sacramento River Basin.

The agreement brings together partners from agriculture, water, flood control, and wildlife management to implement large-scale, multi-benefit projects that protect communities, restore habitats, and support sustainable farming.

Among the key agencies involved are CDFA, the California Natural Resources Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Water Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The Sacramento River Basin spans more than 1,100 square miles from Sacramento to Chico and is a vast and hardworking system with floodplains providing essential habitat for fish and wildlife while acting as natural flood protection for cities and farms.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross signed the MOU on behalf of the agency and said, "Farming is place-based. Rice farmers and others in Northern California have been fearless partners, showing how wetlands can benefit both fish, birds, and agriculture. Together, we're building drought resilience, enabling groundwater recharge, and creating healthier ecosystems."

Key Outcomes of the MOU:

• Flood Protection: Restore and expand floodplains (e.g., Yolo, Sutter, and Tisdale Bypasses) to prevent devastating flood events.
• Habitat Creation: Enhance critical habitats for migratory birds, endangered fish, and other wildlife.
• Groundwater Recharge: Improve water security and aquifer replenishment through better floodplain management.
• Agricultural Sustainability: Use post-harvest rice fields to provide 300,000 acres of habitat and approximately 200 million pounds of food resources to the millions of geese, ducks, swans and other migratory birds that rely on rice fields after harvest.
• Climate Resilience: Build long-term resilience to droughts and extreme weather events through multi-agency collaboration.

This multi-agency partnership exemplifies how conservation and farming can work together to address climate challenges, sustain ecosystems, and ensure food security. With investments in floodplain restoration and a sharing of responsibility across agencies and sectors, this MOU sets a precedent for sustainable water and habitat management in California.