The concept of reconciliation ecology has played a significant role in the Sacramento Valley and is a positive approach that will help make the Sacramento Valley a better place. A recent story by Eric Miller in the Central Valley Business Times provides a good overview of this approach and how it is providing benefits for multiple beneficial purposes, including fish, birds, farms and rural communities in the Sacramento Valley. See: Reconciliation ecology could end California’s water wars.
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has written in detail about the promise of “reconciliation ecology,” which offers a realistic approach to managing a highly altered ecosystem and meeting both ecosystem and water supply goals. “Reconciliation seeks to improve ecosystem processes to support desirable species while acknowledging that humans will continue to rely on the region’s land and water resources. This approach would restore natural processes wherever possible (particularly favorable flows and habitat) and use infrastructure and technology (such as hatcheries) to support native species.” This concept is discussed in the PPIC report “Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem”.
