ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Federal and State Officials Highlight “All-In” Response to California Drought
Federal and state officials held a joint press conference Wednesday to highlight the multi-agency collaboration – calling it an “all-in” endeavor – that is taking place to leverage resources to respond to California’s drought.
Officials also announced an additional $14 million in federal monies that will be made available to water agencies and growers to improve water management.
ACWA 2014 Legislative Symposium Set for March 5
ACWA’s annual one-day legislative symposium will be held March 5 this year and will feature water leaders discussing the 2014 water bond, groundwater management, the move of the state’s drinking water program and other topics.
ACWA, Other Groups to Sponsor Half-Day Drought Briefing Feb. 14
California’s unprecedented drought – its impacts and how best to respond to it – will be the subject of a half-day drought briefing Feb. 14 in Sacramento sponsored by ACWA and other groups.
ACWA-Opposed Water Bond Bill to Be Heard Feb. 11
An ACWA-opposed bill that would place a $6.5 billion water bond on the November ballot will be heard Feb. 11 in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. Today (Feb. 4) is the last day for opposition letters on the bill to be sent to committee members.
USDA to Release $20 Million to Assist California Growers and Ranchers Affected by Drought
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this morning that the USDA will make $20 million in grants available to California growers and ranchers seeking to bolster water conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of the state’s unprecedented drought.
Growers and ranchers have until March 3 to apply for the funds, which are part of a broader initiative by the Obama Administration to help California grapple with the drought. The funding is through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP.
State Water Board Holds Workshop on Drought-Related Activities
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold an informational workshop Feb. 18 to update the public on the series of urgency actions the board has taken in response to the drought.
What Does a 20% Reduction in Water Use Look Like? Infographic Offers Ideas
A new infographic from the Save Our Water program shows some easy ways to reduce water use 20% as requested by Gov. Jerry Brown. Noting that the average Californian uses 196 gallons of water per day according state water use statistics, the infographic encourages readers to find the right combination of actions to trim their water use by 38 gallons a day.
For more tips and resources, visit the Save Our Water program’s Drought Portal.
New State Water Board Web Page Tracks Drought Year Water Actions
The State Water Resources Control Board has a developed a new Web page with comprehensive information on actions taken by the State Board in response to drought.
SWP Water Allocations Cut to Zero, Junior Water-Right Holders’ Diversions Curtailed
Saying aggressive action is needed during what may be California’s worst drought in modern times, state officials on Friday announced a series of unprecedented actions to protect water supplies, including cutting water allocations from the State Water Project to zero for the first time in the project’s history.
Governor Brown and MWD Officials Urge Increased Water Conservation
Gov. Jerry Brown and officials with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on Thursday called on residents throughout the state to step up water conservation in light of the drought. Met leaders also said the district will move to double its water conservation budget and declare a regional water supply alert.
ACWA 2014 Drought Briefing — Impacts and Actions: What You Need to Know
Fri, 02/14/2014 – 9:00am – 12:30pm
Location:
Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento
Whether it’s the lowest Sierra snowpack on record or the historic announcement of zero deliveries from the State Water Project, it’s clear that California is in a drought of epic proportions.
Local, state and federal agencies are mobilizing to address the challenge, but experts agree we are in unchartered territory. What will these unprecedented conditions and unprecedented response measures mean for Californians in 2014? How will impacts of the drought reverberate across the state this summer?
CWEMF Annual Meeting
Mon, 02/24/2014 – Wed, 02/26/2014
Location:
Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom
The California Water and Environmental Modeling Forum will hold its 20th Annual Meeting at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom from February 24 to 26. Highlights of the Annual Meeting include many excellent technical sessions, a joint day with the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) on February 26, keynote address by Gary Bardini, Deputy Director of the Department of Water Resources, the presentation of the Hugo B. Fischer and Life Membership awards, and an evening social at Sudwerk.
ACWA 2014 Washington DC Conference
Tue, 02/25/2014 – Thu, 02/27/2014
Location:
The Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
ACWA’s 2014 Washington DC Conference is set for Feb. 25-27, 2014, at the Liaison Capitol Hill.
Event and Registration Information
ACWA 2014 Legislative Symposium
Wed, 03/05/2014
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center
The 2014 ACWA Legislative Symposium is set for March 5 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
Event and Registration Information
ACWA Small Hydro Workshop & Tour
Fri, 03/21/2014 – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Location:
Rancho Cucamonga and Rialto
ACWA is hosting a new workshop and tour this year on small hydropower. A half-day workshop at the Cucamonga Valley Water District Frontier Project will include programs on site selection, permitting, financing and small hydropower technologies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Attendees then will have the option in the afternoon of touring Fontana Water Company’s Sandhill Small Hydro Facility in Rialto.
This workshop may qualify toward the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) continuing education credit.
Event and Registration Information
Children’s Water Education Festival
Wed, 03/26/2014 – Thu, 03/27/2014
Location:
University of California, Irvine
Presented by the Orange County Water District, Disneyland Resort, National Water Research Institute and the OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team, the Festival presents a unique opportunity to educate Orange County’s third, fourth and fifth grade students about water and the environment. More than 7,000 students are expected to attend. Volunteers, presenters and sponsors are needed to support this educational event. Learn more at www.childrenwaterfestival.com.
California Water Policy 23: Tangled Up In Blue
Thu, 04/03/2014 – Fri, 04/04/2014
Location:
The Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College
The California Water Policy conference is set for April 3-4 at Claremont McKenna College.
ACWA 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition
Tue, 05/06/2014 – Fri, 05/09/2014
Location:
Portola and Marriott Hotels, Monterey
Event and Registration Information
Conference Exhibitor Information
Conference Sponsorship Information
O.C. Water Summit
Fri, 05/16/2014
Location:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim
Presented by the Orange County Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and Disneyland Resort, the Summit brings together more than 500 Southern California business professionals with international, national and state water industry stakeholders, elected officials, environmentalists, scientists and community leaders to discuss ongoing global water issues and how water supply challenges impact our economy and public safety. Prominent authors, world-renowned experts and distinguished speakers will also be a part of this critical dialogue.
