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Receive a presentation by staff from the California Department of Water Resources and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board on the status and development of the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Master Plan
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No X
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No X
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation by staff from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (Flood Board) on the status and development of the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Master Plan (YBCS Master Plan).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Yolo Bypass Cache Slough (YBCS) Master Plan is a non-regulatory strategic framework jointly developed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), in coordination with federal, state, regional, and local partners. The Master Plan is intended to guide the planning and implementation of multi-benefit projects within the Yolo Bypass and Cache Slough region, in support of goals outlined in the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP), its Conservation Strategy, and the vision of the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership (Partnership).
Solano County is a founding member of the Partnership, established through a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding and codified in state law by Senate Bill 369 (2021), which created the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership Multi-Benefit Program. The Master Plan advances six integrated “pillars”: flood risk reduction, habitat enhancement, agricultural sustainability, water supply reliability and quality, recreation, and economic and community resilience.
Rather than mandating land use or allocating funding, the Master Plan serves as a collaborative guide for aligning project concepts, planning strategies, and future investment. It outlines a conceptual portfolio of potential projects that seek to enhance regional flood protection, ecosystem connectivity, and water management, while also supporting agriculture and local communities.
Since the release of the Public Draft YBCS Master Plan in March 2025, Solano County has actively engaged in the review process. On May 15, 2025, the County submitted formal comments (Attachment A) emphasizing the importance of equitable attention to locally significant issues, including agricultural viability, long-term water supply, and balanced implementation across all six pillars-particularly those most closely tied to local land use, community resilience, and infrastructure maintenance. The County’s feedback highlights the need for a fair approach to project advancement, long-term operations and maintenance, and funding strategies that reflect regional priorities.
Today’s presentation by DWR and CVFPB staff will include a project overview, a summary of the key comments received on the Public Draft, and an outline of the next steps toward finalizing the Master Plan. Additional background, including links to the Public Draft document and the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership website, is provided in Attachment B.
Solano County’s continued engagement in this process helps ensure that our County’s interests, particularly in agriculture, rural infrastructure, local water supply, and recreation remain front and center as the state and its partners move toward finalizing the plan and developing implementation strategies. The presentation also offers an opportunity for the Board to provide input and ask questions at this critical stage.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to hear the presentation, or to hear them at a later date. This is not recommended; however, because outside project staff have agreed to attend and present in order to update the Board of Supervisors about the Master Plan and to answer questions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Development of the YBCS Master Plan includes involvement by State, federal, and local agencies, and California Tribes with an interest in the planning area and as representatives of Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Partnership (Partnership).
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION