[1] In February 2004 the state's Department of the Environment presented a proposal to create the Jacuí Delta Environmental Protection Area (APA), which would include the state park with the addition of 9,755 hectares (24,110 acres) to give a total area of 26,269 hectares (64,910 acres).

The proposal would include creating the Banhados do Delta Biological Reserve, with an area of 13,369 hectares (33,040 acres), to be used only for scientific studies, with full protection of species.

[1] The outcome was that the APA, which covers 22,826 hectares (56,400 acres) including privately-owned land, supports the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner according to a management plan.

The State Park portion, which covers 14,242 hectares (35,190 acres) all of which is publicly owned, aims to preserve the natural landscape and ecosystem for scientific, educational and recreational use.

Despite the proximity to the city, endangered species are found in the delta including otter, capybara and broad-snouted caiman.