ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Governor’s Office Creates Local Government Drought Toolkit
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) has created a new toolkit for local governments that provides guidance for coordinating on drought response and meeting the governor’s call for a 20% reduction in water use.
CDFA and USDA Host Drought Assistance Workshop for Farmers
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold an informational session on drought resources for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers in Cloverdale March 17.
The session will provide information on state and federal government programs designed to assist farmers with water conservation, crop insurance, and other on-farm management tools. Information on farmworker assistance programs also will be available.
Tree Rings Show Prolonged Droughts in California’s Distant Past
The record-dry conditions the past two years in California could extend years into the future if history repeats itself.
New research prepared for the California Department of Water Resources finds that hundreds of years ago there were consecutive periods of several years or decades when flows in the Klamath, Sacramento and San Joaquin basins were below average.
Capitol Hearing Explores Sustainable Groundwater Management
Groundwater management should remain under the purview of local agencies and the state should step in only as a “back stop” when local efforts aren’t proving sufficient.
That was the overarching message from state officials Tuesday during a joint legislative hearing on improving management of the state’s groundwater resources. Several local and state officials addressed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee which met jointly with Assembly Budget Committee #3 on Resources and Transportation..
West Goshen Avoids Drinking Water Shortage with CDPH Funding
The City of West Goshen may now be removed from a list of communities with threatened drinking water supplies now that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has provided funding to bolster the city’s drinking water system so it may serve residents during the current drought.
Rainfall Helps But Does Little to Quench California Drought
Recent storms boosted the Sierra snowpack and runoff into reservoirs, but state officials say it’s far from enough to end drought conditions in California.
March 7 ACWA News Now Available Online
The March 7 edition of ACWA News is now available online. Sacramento and the nation’s capital are in full gear and this issue takes a comprehensive look at the flurry of state and federal water legislation that legislators have introduced in recent weeks. Gov. Jerry Brown quickly signed a $687 million emergency drought bill, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and others from California’s congressional delegation are working to secure federal relief.
Blog Post: Need for Storage, ESA Flexibility Comes Through at D.C. Conference
With Congress weighing legislation to assist drought-stricken California, ACWA’s annual D.C. Conference provided a prime opportunity to discuss the need for water storage and long-term solutions, ACWA President John Coleman and Vice President Kathy Tiegs write in the latest entry in the Voices on Water blog.
Read the complete blog post here.
Estevan López Nominated to be the Next Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation
On Thursday, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Estevan López as the next Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. If confirmed by the Senate, López will succeed Mike Connor who was recently confirmed to become the Deputy Secretary of the Interior.
Recent Rains Douse Need for Sprinklers
California’s recent rains have doused – at least temporarily – the need for lawn watering, so residents should conserve water and shut off their sprinkler systems.
That was the message delivered Thursday by state officials who gathered for a press event on a lush, green residential lawn in Sacramento to tout water conservation. Officials stressed that despite the recent rains, California’s drought is still on. But because of the recent rains, there is no need to water lawns for several weeks, they said.
ACWA Region 5 Tour & Program – March 23 & 24 in Santa Cruz, CA
Sun, 03/23/2014 – Mon, 03/24/2014
Location:
Santa Cruz, CA
ACWA Region 5 Hosted Program
Working Together in Dry Times
How the Santa Cruz Water Community is Collaborating for Solutions
March 23 & 24, 2014
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.
2014 Green California Summit and Exposition
Mon, 04/07/2014 – 1:00pm – Wed, 04/09/2014 – 5:00pm
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Event and registration information here.
Paying for Water in California
Thu, 04/10/2014 – 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Rooms 202/203, Sacramento
Registration information here.
Climate Change and the Future of Groundwater in California
Wed, 04/16/2014
Location:
UC Davis Conference Center (Davis, CA)
The 2nd Annual Climate Change Water and Society (CCWAS) IGERT State of the Science workshop is here! “Climate Change and the Future of Groundwater in California” aims to bring together scientists, water managers, policy and decision makers, engineers and other interested stakeholders to identify key challenges and solutions for a sustainable groundwater future.
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.
IWA Watershed Management Conference
Tue, 09/09/2014 – 9:00am – Fri, 09/12/2014 – 5:00pm
Location:
San Francisco
The International Water Association is holding a specialists’ conference for water basin science and management Sept. 9 to 12 in San Francisco.
Submissions of abstracts of research may be submitted by March 3 for consideration of presentation at the conference. Abstracts may be submitted here.
