ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Joint Informational Hearing on Water Bond Set for Sept. 24
An informational hearing on the 2014 water bond is set for Sept. 24 in the state Senate.
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Senate Environmental Quality Committee have slated the joint hearing, titled “Setting the Stage for a 2014 Water Bond: Where Are We and Where Do We Need To Go?,” for 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in room 4203 of the state Capitol.
The agenda is not yet available.
Salton Sea Governance Bill Heads for Governor
Legislation that would tweak the governance structure for developing a comprehensive restoration plan for the Salton Sea has advanced to the governor’s desk.
Sponsored by Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), AB 71 would direct the California Natural Resources Agency to lead restoration efforts, in consultation with the Salton Sea Authority.
Sept. 13 Emissary Award Deadline Approaches
ACWA members considering a nomination for this year’s Emissary Award have until Friday to submit nominees. Earlier this month, the deadline to nominate deserving individuals for the award was extended to Friday, Sept. 13 in response to requests for additional time.
Established in 2006, the annual Emissary Award recognizes individual ACWA member volunteers who have made outstanding contributions through their participation in ACWA.
State Ag Board and Water Commission Examine California’s Water Situation
California growers joined local and state water managers Tuesday at a joint meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and the California Water Commission to examine how the state’s water supply and agricultural industry would be impacted by another dry year.
“What California grows is what the world is looking for…,” said Craig McNamara, chair of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “But if we don’t have water we can’t continue this tremendous record of achievement.”
Paper: Water Rates Set by Good Public Policy
A recently published white paper concludes that local water agencies in California utilize good public policy decisions in setting their water rates even though calculating and implementing rates has become more complicated.
The six-page paper titled “The California conundrum: Is water a public resource, an economic good, or a tax?” is by Tim Seufert, the managing director of government consultancy NBS.
LADWP Asks Customers to Conserve in the Heat
With hot temperatures expected to continue this week in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) asks customers to conserve energy use where possible, especially between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., while staying safe.
Energy demand in Los Angeles has pushed up to a high range this week – averaging in the upper 5,000 megawatt range—with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in parts of the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. LADWP’s all-time high energy demand was 6,177 megawatts, recorded on September 27, 2010.
CVWD Board of Directors to Host Evening Meeting
The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) Board of Directors will host a rare evening meeting on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in an effort to be more accessible to the public.
The Riverside County Grand Jury recently recommended that 14 water and wastewater agencies currently conducting regular meetings during the day move those meetings to after 6 p.m. to ensure maximum participation by ratepayers, and generate maximum public attendance.
Salmon Continue to Thrive in Flooded Rice Fields
A multi-year experiment near Sacramento is shedding more light on how inundated rice fields can be a productive environment for rearing salmon.
Last year researchers from the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis shared results showing that juvenile Chinook salmon grow well in the flooded flatlands of the Yolo Bypass — providing a manmade alternative for wetland habitat that’s important for the salmon’s life cycle.
Perea Amends Bill to Transfer Administration of Drinking Water Fund to the State Board
Assembly Member Henry Perea (D-Fresno) has introduced new legislative language that would transfer administration of the state’s Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) from the California Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board.
The language was amended into AB 1393, which previously dealt with workers’ compensation. It is currently awaiting action on the Senate floor. The Senate Environmental Quality Committee likely will hear the bill off the floor this week before the full Senate votes on the measure.
Free Yuba River Salmon Viewings Begin Sept. 28
Learn about the life cycle and natural history of salmon that spawn in the Yuba River during a series of short Saturday tours beginning later this month offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Bruce Forman of CDFW Interpretive Services said the new free tours are part of an effort to expand offerings in the north state. Participants will listen to a presentation, see a section of the river east of Marysville with a scenic overlook and walk 1/10 of a mile on a trail to spawning beds nearby where fall-run Chinook salmon should be viewable.
Sept. 6 Digital ACWA News Now Available Online
The Sept. 6 issue of ACWA News is now available online. Read about the Bay Delta Conservation Plan’s smaller footprint and California’s draft drinking water standard for chromium-6.
Other featured stories in this issue include:
Report: Coordinated Water and Energy Programs Have Room to Grow
Submitted by Matt Williams on Thu, 09/05/2013 – 5:06pm
Coordinating water and energy efficiency programs can yield big savings because about one-fifth of electricity use in California is related to water. But these dual programs are still fairly uncommon and are easier said than done.
Despite the numerous challenges that are involved, several water agencies in the state have successfully implemented such joint efforts for their internal operations or their customers, according to a new report released Sept. 5.
Workshop on the New Aquatic Weed Permit — San Diego
Wed, 09/18/2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location:
San Diego County Water, Kearny Mesa Headquarters, 4677 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
Geared for those who use aquatic pesticides to manage aquatic weeds or algae in flowing waters or impoundments in either an agricultural or urban water supply systems. This workshop outlines the requirement of a new aquatic weed permit. Topics include whether an agency needs a permit, approved aquatic pesticides, how to file a notice of intent, sampling & analysis and other requirements.
Registration and Event Information
ACWA Communications Committee Meeting
Wed, 09/18/2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location:
ACWA Board Room, 910 K Street, Sacramento
The ACWA Communications Committee will meet Sept. 18, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ACWA Board room, 910 K Street, Suite 100 in Sacramento.
Agenda and details will be available soon.
Steve Hall Fierce Competitor Golf Tournament
Fri, 09/20/2013 – 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location:
DarkHorse Golf Club, 24150 Darkhorse Drive, Auburn, CA 95602
This annual tournament in honor of former ACWA Executive Director Steve Hall will take place at DarkHorse Golf Club (24150 Darkhorse Drive, Auburn, CA 95602). DarkHorse was Steve’s favorite golf course and where he hit his first and only hole in one.
Note: The due date for tournament entry forms has been extended to Sept. 13, 2013.
Registration Open! ACWA Region 5 Tour & Program, 9/22-9/23 – Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Sun, 09/22/2013 – Mon, 09/23/2013
Location:
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
REGISTRATION OPEN!
ACWA Region 5 Hosted Program
Water Reliability:
An Environmental Balancing Act
September 22 & 23
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Workshop on the New Aquatic Weed Permit — Woodland
Tue, 09/24/2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location:
Yolo County Farm Bureau 69 West Kentucky Avenue, Woodland, CA 95776
Geared for those who use aquatic pesticides to manage aquatic weeds or algae in flowing waters or impoundments in either an agricultural or urban water supply systems. This workshop outlines the requirement of a new aquatic weed permit. Topics include whether an agency needs a permit, approved aquatic pesticides, how to file a notice of intent, sampling & analysis and other requirements.
Registration and Event Information
2013 Annual CA-NV AWWA Fall Conference
Mon, 09/30/2013 – Thu, 10/03/2013
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center
For more conference information, go to http://ca-nv-awwa.org/CANV/web/events/AFC/web/events/AFC13.aspx?hkey=d00bb688-3f32-48da-a08e-5b05180ee61b
North Coast Resource Partnership Conference
Wed, 10/02/2013 – Fri, 10/04/2013
Location:
River Lodge Conference Center, Fortuna
The North Coast Conference will provide a forum to address the Region’s most pressing water, economic and energy resource issues. The conference will feature the accomplishments of the North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan’s projects; bring together a broad spectrum of the North Coast community to learn about new legislation, policy and funding opportunities; and discuss innovative strategies to enhance the future of the region.
29th Biennial Groundwater Conference & 22nd Groundwater Resources Association Annual Meeting
Tue, 10/08/2013 – Wed, 10/09/2013
Location:
Red Lion/Woodlake Conference Center Hotel, Sacramento
GROUNDWATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
o f C a l i f o r n i a
October 8-9, 2013
Red Lion/Woodlake Conference Center Hotel
Sacramento, CA
Co-Sponsors: AMEC | West Yost Associates
SAVE THE DATE! ACWA Region 10 Program, 10/17 – Irvine, CA
Thu, 10/17/2013 – 10:00am
Location:
Irvine, CA
SAVE THE DATE
ACWA Region 10 Program
A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING IN MURKY WATER
Thursday, October 17, 2013 • 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport
18800 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine, CA
Registration will be available online TBD
Registration Open! ACWA Regions 2 & 4 Water Forum & Bike Tour Oct. 24-25
Thu, 10/24/2013 – Fri, 10/25/2013
Location:
Sacramento, CA
ACWA Regional Water Forum & American River Bike Tour
October 24-25, 2013
Hosted by ACWA Regions 2 & 4
Southern California Water Committee 29th Annual Meeting and Dinner
Thu, 10/24/2013 – 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Location:
Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center, One Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744
5:30pm – Cocktail Reception
Ticket and Sponsorship information here.
