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128 Part i california Water government agencies, at universities, and as private consultants. Yet few would argue that this infrastructure meets current needs, and even fewer would sug- gest that California is prepared for the next era. The dramatic changes in conditions that California will face through the rest of the century will require greater synthesis and emphasis on developing solutions, beyond regulatory problems and details (Chapter 3). Science will have a major role in an Era of Reconciliation. Along with its traditional roles of facilitating design and operation of water management, science and technologi- cal innovations must facilitate the adaptation of management. Science will be essential for effective strategic and incremental reconciliation of environmental and human water uses, locally, regionally, and statewide, just as engineering science was required for the Hydraulic Era to effectively achieve that era’s goals. A Fragmented, Underfunded System A recent review by the National Research Council (2010) of the biological opin- ions that govern operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project pointed out that scientific support for water management in the Delta is weak, poorly organized, and lacking integration. The Little Hoover Commission (2005, 2010) offered similar observations, as has the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force (2008). Yet the Delta has perhaps the state’s most organized and best-funded science programs to support decisionmaking. National Research Council reviews of science for Klamath Basin management have had similar findings (National Research Council, 2004, 2008). It is not enough to simply state that insufficient resources have been invested in science for improving water management. Beyond an almost entirely non- technical California Water Plan Update developed by the Department of Water Resources every five years or so, there is little to no statewide organization, prioritization, and synthesis of technical and scientific activity applied to water problems. This gap stems partly from the highly decentralized management of water. The tensions between water districts—stemming from perceived com- petition for resources—and institutional barriers between federal, state, and local agencies have balkanized water science and engineering in California. To illustrate the complexity of this problem, Table 2.10 lists federal, state, and local entities that fund scientific and engineering studies in ecosystem management, water supply/quality, flood management, and water-based tourism/recreation. This list neglects many other agencies with jurisdiction and funding control. A recent summary of agencies with responsibilities in these four areas conducted