ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Obama Releases 2014 Budget; Proposal Includes Bay-Delta Restoration Funding
President Obama sent his 2014 budget plan to Congress on Wednesday. The $3.8 trillion proposal would increase funding for the departments of Interior and Energy and reduce budgets for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Here’s a brief recap of the numbers:
U.S. Senate Confirms Jewell as Interior Secretary
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Sally Jewell, chief executive officer of outdoor gear retailer REI, as Secretary of the Interior.
Jewell, 57, replaces outgoing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who announced his departure in January. The Senate voted to confirm Jewell’s nomination on an 87-11 vote. President Barack Obama nominated Jewell in February.
ACWA Approves Policy Principles on Managing California’s Headwaters
The ACWA Board of Directors on March 29 approved a set of policy principles designed to improve the management of California’s headwaters. The 19 principles note that headwaters – including those in the Cascades, the Sierra Nevada, coastal ranges, mountain foothills and numerous ranges in the San Bernardino and Cleveland national forests –are critical to the state but could contribute even more if they were better managed.
House Passes Bill to Ease Reclamation Hydropower Development
A bill that its would streamline the regulatory process for construction of small-scale hydropower projects on existing Bureau of Reclamation water “conduits” passed the House on Wednesday.
ACWA Regions to Host Tour of Collaborative Projects
A patio boat tour of pristine Lake Pardee and an exclusive look at a salmon tagging program at the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery are among the stops on an upcoming tour hosted by ACWA Regions 3 and 5 that highlights projects empowered by regional cooperation.
Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus to Speak at ACWA Conference
State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus is scheduled to speak at ACWA’s 2013 Conference & Exhibition luncheon May 8 on leadership during times of multiple water priorities and coequal goals.
Marcus, who became board chair this month following the retirement of former Water Board Chair Charlie Hoppin, will share her perspective on balancing the competing interests in the Bay-Delta planning process and the multiple priorities currently before the Board.
Reclamation Announces Further Reductions in 2013 Water Allocations
Responding to continuing dry conditions in California, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation late last week announced further 2013 water allocation reductions, with water service contractors in the Friant Division receiving the latest cuts.
April 5 Issue of ACWA News Now Available Online
The April 5 issue of ACWA News is now available online, with stories on further reductions to 2013 water allocation estimates and ACWA Board discussion on Water Bond modifications and policy principles for headwaters.
Other highlights this issue:
San Diego Workshop to Look at Improving Drought Prediction
Improving short-term drought prediction and forecasting is the topic of a three-day workshop beginning April 29 in San Diego.
Rep. Matsui, Sacramento Leaders Share Concerns About BDCP
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) and several other elected leaders and local water officials from the Sacramento region met Thursday for a lunchtime forum on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and its environmental and economic impacts on the region.
In addition to Matsui, Sacramento City Council Member Darrell Fong and Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli voiced concerns about the BDCP as proposed. The forum, held at the Sacramento Convention Center, took place the same day as a public meeting on BDCP at the Red Lion hotel in Sacramento.
California Water Environment Association 2013 Annual Conference
Tue, 04/16/2013 – 9:03am – Fri, 04/19/2013 – 5:03pm
Location:
Palm Springs Convention Center
Elected Officials Water Summit
Wed, 04/17/2013
Location:
Palm Springs
In conjunction with CWEA’s Annual Conference in Palm Springs, there will be a special elected officials water summit to discuss water infrastructure issues in the Coachella Valley and in California.
California Water Policy Conference
Thu, 04/18/2013 – 8:00am – Fri, 04/19/2013 – 1:00pm
Location:
Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles
Now in its 22nd year, the California Water Policy Conference brings together leaders from the agricultural, urban water and environmental communities to discuss the current policy issues impacting California’s water.
ACWA Regions 3 & 5 Joint Program & Tour: “Mokelumne to the East Bay: Examples of Regional Collaboration”
Sun, 04/21/2013 – Mon, 04/22/2013
Location:
Jackson, CA
ACWA Regions 3 & 5 Joint Program & Tour
With Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
CWEMF Annual Meeting
Mon, 04/22/2013 – Wed, 04/24/2013
Location:
Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom
The California Water and Environmental Modeling Forum will hold its 19th Annual Meeting at the Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom from April 22 to 24.
Highlights of the Annual Meeting include a joint day with the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) on April 24, keynote address by Past President of the International Association for Great Lakes Research, Dr. Joe DePinto, the presentation of the Hugo B. Fischer and Career Achievement awards, and a brainstorming session on the Delta Science Plan.
Early registration ends on April 5.
ACWA 2013 Spring Conference & Exhibition
Tue, 05/07/2013 – Fri, 05/10/2013
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center & Surrounding Hotels
Please join us May 7-10, 2013 at the Sacramento Convention Center / Hyatt / Sheraton Grand.
