CASA Connects Newsletter for August 1, 2016

August 1, 2016

CA Legislature Returns for Last Month of Session

On August 1 the Legislature returns from a month long summer recess to finish out the remaining legislative business for the year. The next several weeks will be a rush of activity in Sacramento, leading up to the final adjournment of this year’s legislative session. Hundreds of bills will be heard in fiscal committees in both houses in the next two weeks, and many of those bills will fall victim to the final “Suspense File” hearings scheduled on August 11. The final two weeks this month are reserved for marathon daily floor sessions where both houses debate and vote on all of the remaining bills before the final adjournment on August 31. We’ll be on the lookout for any end-of-session antics, including the notorious “gut-and-amend” bills introduced at the last minute that could potentially have an impact on our members.
Several bills CASA has been actively involved with are getting close to the finish line. See which bills are still moving through the legislature.

CASA Strikes Compromise on Accessory Dwelling Unit Legislation

CASA has reached a compromise on amendments to SB 1069 by Senator Bob Wieckowski. The bill is a major overhaul of current law that affects many different local land use and planning ordinances in an attempt to ease the local requirements for homeowners that build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Read more…

LA WaterKeeper Files Suit Over Site Specific Water Quality Objectives

On July 18, 2016, the Los Angeles WaterKeeper filed a lawsuit in state court against the State Water Resources Control Board and the Los Angeles Regional Water Board, challenging the adoption of site specific water quality objectives for lead and copper in the Los Angeles River.
The water quality objectives were adopted after significant scientific study, consistent with federal guidance regarding the application of water effects ratios. Several CASA members, including the cities of Los Angeles and Burbank, supported the development of the objectives. At the August 12, 2016 meeting, the CASA Attorneys Committee will consider whether CASA should join the lawsuit to defend the water board action.

Water Board to Brief Stakeholders on Potable Reuse

The State Water Board will provide a series of briefings on two important water recycling documents in September. The briefings, convened jointly with WateReuse California, will present the draft report to the legislature on direct potable reuse (DPR) and the proposed surface water augmentation regulations, both of which are slated for release in September. These briefings are intended to help the water recycling community understand the report and regulations, provide initial feedback to the Water Board and help CASA and WateReuse CA develop our comment letters.  Read more…

Greg Kester Blogs on Importance of Biosolids in Land Application

Ask CASA Director of Renewable Resource Programs Greg Kester what he thinks is the most successful recycling program in America, and he’ll tell you it’s the successful recycling of biosolids back to the soil. Greg works hard to advance land application of biosolids, which plays a big role in achieving California’s goals for climate change and healthy soils.
Take a moment to read his blog, and join the conversation!

New Career Resource for Water Professionals

CASA is a proud sponsor of CWEA’s new career resource, CAWaterJobs.org. CWEA developed the website with two goals in mind:

  1. Make it easier to find jobs
  2. Reach out to the general public and encourage Californians to consider a water career
A few years ago AWWA and WEF estimated 30% of water professionals will retire by 2018. Now is the time to reach out and encourage people to become water professionals. Here are ways you and your agency/firm can support the work for water message:
Learn more about the CA Water Jobs project during a free webinar on August 15th. 

Introducing the Communication Essentials Workshop

Save the Date! 

The CASA Communications Workgroup, in partnership with CWEA, is pleased to bring you the Communication Essentials Workshop. This one-day workshop is designed for all water professionals who would like to enhance their communication program.

  • Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Oakland
  • Thursday, October 20, 2016 in Fountain Valley

Mark your calendar – details coming soon!

Mixed Bag

The 2016 national Imagine a Day Without Water campaign is set for September 15. Learn how you can participate by signing up for this free webinar, presented by US Water Alliance.

 
 
Now Hiring!
CASA members have numerous opportunities available. Visit our Job Board for details.

Events

Date
Organization
Event
Location
Aug. 10-12, 2016 CASA Annual Conference  Monterey
Aug. 24-26, 2016 Urban Water Institute San Diego
Sept. 15, 2017 US Water Alliance Virtual/Nationwide
Oct. 18, 2016 CASA & CWEA Communication Essentials Workshop

Details coming soon
Oakland
Oct. 20, 2016 CASA & CWEA Communication Essentials Workshop

Details coming soon
Fountain
Valley
Jan. 18-20, 2017 CASA Palm Springs

In Case You Missed It…
Visit our website: www.casaweb.org
Copyright ©2016. All rights reserved.
Connect with us:  Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter
Contact us: (916) 446-0388
Tags: , , ,