ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Register Now for Regional Briefings on ACWA’s Statewide Water Action Plan
Informational briefings are under way for ACWA members to learn more about the Statewide Water Action Plan adopted unanimously by the ACWA Board of Directors in September.
Town Hall Meeting on Statewide Water Action Plan Set for Dec. 4 at Fall Conference
The 2013 ACWA Fall Conference & Exhibition is only a little over a month away, and you won’t want to miss the exciting lineup of speakers and discussions that’s in store on Dec. 4-5 at the JW Marriott L.A. Live.
Suh to be Nominated to Conservation Post
President Obama announced on Wednesday his intention to nominate Rhea Suh to be the next Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. If confirmed by the Senate, she would be the point person on the Administration’s federal parks and wildlife conservation policy, tasked with coordinating between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Parks Service. Suh is currently the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget.
West Coast Governments Agree to Climate Change Action Plan
The climate change pact that California, Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia signed this week could make the West Coast a world leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The nonbinding agreement, which Gov. Jerry Brown and his counterparts agreed to Monday during a teleconference, calls for a suite of actions for leading national and international policy efforts, setting long-range emissions targets, and supporting clean energy and clean transportation.
Formal Public Review of BDCP, Environmental Documents to Begin Dec. 13
The public review draft of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and accompanying environmental documents are now expected to be released on Dec. 13 for a 120-day formal public review period, state officials announced in an update today.
During the review, set to run from Dec. 13 to April 14, the public, agencies, and other interested parties will be able to access copies of the document online or in repositories throughout the state. Copies also may be requested for review.
Governor Appoints 14 to Regional Water Quality Control Boards
Gov. Jerry Brown announced seven new appointments and seven reappointments to California’s Regional Water Quality Control Boards on Oct. 25.
The boards set water quality standards, issue waste discharge requirements, determine compliance and take enforcement actions within regional boundaries based on watersheds. Board members serve part time and are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
House Passes WRRDA Bill
Late Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 3080, The Water Resources Reform and Development Act, by a bipartisan vote of 417 to 3. The Senate passed its own version of the bill in May.
Nov. 18 Forum to Examine Groundwater Overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley
A regional forum Nov. 18 in Tulare will look at the challenges and concerns associated with groundwater overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley and the American West.
Organized by the nonprofit American Ground Water Trust, the forum will explore how different communities throughout the West have dealt with groundwater overdraft and consider if local control is a feasible water management solution for San Joaquin Valley water users.
Registration Now Open for 2014 ACWA DC Conference
Registration is now open for ACWA’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Feb. 25-27, 2014.
Attendees will learn about the water priorities of the Obama administration and Congress; get the latest of the President’s budget request; hear from leaders of the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies; and get insight from Beltway insiders about the latest important developments in the federal government.
ACWA Co-Sponsoring Collaborative Leadership Workshop Nov. 4
In partnership with the Groundwater Resources Association of California, ACWA is co-sponsoring a workshop on Nov. 4 in Sacramento about the fundamentals of collaborative leadership and stakeholder involvement for professionals who work in natural resources management.
This event will educate water, groundwater, planning professionals, and elected officials on key tenets of stakeholder involvement and collaborative leadership through a mix of presentations, work groups, and interactive exercises in a one-day event.
Elections for ACWA President, Vice President Set for Dec. 4 at Fall Conference
Elections for ACWA president and vice president for the 2014-’15 term are set for Dec. 4 at ACWA’s 2013 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Los Angeles.
The ACWA Nominating Committee, headed by chair Paul Kelley, announced a slate that recommends current Vice President John Coleman for ACWA president and current Region 10 Vice Chair Peer Swan for ACWA vice president.
