ACWA eNews for May 8, 2013

  • by BPC Staff
  • on May 9, 2013
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ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.

Gov. Brown Tells ACWA Members That BDCP Requires “Working Together”

Gov. Jerry Brown made an unscheduled appearance at the Association of California Water Agencies’ conference on Wednesday and told the crowd that adoption of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) will require “all of us working together” and “billions of dollars.”

“We are going to have a reliable water supply,” Brown said. “We have a big project. The federal government is moving along with us. We are going to get there with your help.”

Brown, Feds Agree to Release Draft BDCP on Oct. 1

State and federal officials have agreed to a formal Oct. 1 deadline for the release of the draft Bay Delta Conservation Plan and accompanying environmental documents for public review and comment, Gov. Jerry Brown and the Obama administration announced May 8.

After considering public comment, state and federal agencies will complete the review process and determine the most appropriate ecosystem conservation and water conveyance plan for adoption and permitting.

ACWA Presents Leadership Award to John Rossi and Marsi Steirer

John Rossi, Western Municipal Water District general manager and Marsi Steirer, deputy director for long-range planning and water resources for the City of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department, were recognized with ACWA’s 2013 Excellence in Water Leadership Award at the association’s spring conference May 8.

Draft BDCP Environmental Review Documents to be Released Online Friday

Administrative drafts of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan’s (BDCP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be released Friday, May 10, on the BDCP website, officials with the California Natural Resources Agency announced May 7.

Officials stated that the draft chapters are preliminary and subject to change before the release of the Public Review Draft in late summer or early fall 2013.

DSC Offers Support to Water Commission in Addressing SWP Retention Issues

Delta Stewardship Council Executive Officer Chris Knopp on May 3 sent a letter to John Byrne, chair of the California Water Commission, offering the DSC’s support in helping the Water Commission address worker retention issues that present an “intolerable risk” to the State Water Project.

May 3 Issue of ACWA News Now Available Online

The May 3 issue of ACWA News is now available online, with stories on what water agencies are planning for Water Awareness Month, continuing talks about the future of the state’s drinking water program, and Save Our Water’s new “Sprinklers 101” website.

Other highlights this issue:

ACWA Sends Comment Letter to DOGGR on Hydraulic Fracturing

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ACWA and the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) sent a letter to the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) on April 30, commenting on DOGGR’s discussion draft regulations on hydraulic fracturing.

Snow Survey Shows Sierra Is High and Dry

Water agencies expected gloomy results from the season’s last snow survey, and those worries were realized May 2 with the Department of Water Resources reporting California’s snowpack water content is only 17% of normal for the date.

Manual snow readings taken Thursday by DWR near Echo Summit were: Lyons Creek (6,700 feet) with 3.3 inches of water content, 15% of average; Phillips Station (6,800 feet) with no snow; and Alpha (7,600 feet) with 1.2 inches of water content, only 5% of normal.

Flood Management Tour

Thu, 05/16/2013 – Fri, 05/17/2013

Location: 

American, Bear, Feather and Sacramento Rivers

This 2-day, 1-night tour begins at the American River and travels along the Bear, Feather and Sacramento rivers into the Delta to view Sacramento’s flood management system. Stops include the State-Federal Flood Operations Center, Folsom Dam, Fremont Weir, Sacramento Weir, Yolo Bypass, and project and non-project Delta levees.

Tour Details

 

SAVE THE DATE! MCWRA & ACWA Region 3

Sun, 05/19/2013

Location: 

Auburn, CA

Date: Wednesday June 19, 2013

Location:

The Ridge Golf Course and Events Center

2020 Golf Course Rd.

Auburn, CA  95602

Time 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 

Bay Delta Tour

Wed, 06/12/2013 – Fri, 06/14/2013

Location: 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay

This 3-day, 2-night tour takes participants to the heart of California water policy – the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. Stops include the Delta Cross Channel, the city of Stockton, Bay-Delta model in Sausalito, Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Suisun Marsh.

Tour Details

 

ACWA Region 8 Event – What Lies Beneath? A Look at Groundwater in Southern California

Thu, 06/13/2013

Location: 

Carson, CA

 
ACWA Region 8 Presents

What Lies Beneath?

A Look at Groundwater in Southern California

 

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