ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.
Rendon Adds $1 Billion More for Water Storage in Bond Proposal
Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) has added an additional $1 billion for water storage in an amended version of his water bond bill.
AB 1331 now contains $2.5 billion for above – and below -ground storage projects, up from $1.5 billion. The bill also would provide $1 billion for water quality, $1.5 billion for protection of rivers and watersheds, a total of $2 billion for regional projects and integrated regional water management (IRWM), and $1 billion for the Delta. The total proposed investment is $8 billion.
Water Bond and State’s Drinking Water Program Explored at Legislative Symposium
The importance of passing a water bond and keeping a public health focus within the state’s drinking water program were highlighted by several speakers Wednesday at ACWA’s 2014 Legislative Symposium in Sacramento.
Several speakers said the state’s current drought has elevated California’s water needs to the forefront of the public eye, which could make it easier to explain to voters why a water bond should be passed in November.
ACWA Urges Congress to Include WIFIA in Final Version of WRDA Bill
On February 28, 2014, ACWA, along with the American Water Works Association, the United States Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and the Water Environment Federation, sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives urging them to include the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) in the final version of the WRRDA bill now under discussion in a House-Senate conference. A copy of the letter can be found at the by clicking on the link above.
President Obama Requests $1 Billion for Reclamation in FY 2015
President Obama has requested a total of $1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation in Fiscal 2015. This includes $760.7 million for the Water and Related Resources Account and $343.5 million for resource management and development activities. Of interest to ACWA members, the request includes $21.5 million for the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, $118.6 million for California’s Central Valley Project, $57 million for the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund and $37 million for CALFED.
Salton Sea Gets Boost from Collaboration Agreement
The Salton Sea Authority and the U.S. Department of the Interior recently agreed to a 10-year memorandum of understanding to improve collaboration between federal, tribal and local entities on natural resource issues involving the Salton Sea.
The pact calls on each party to share available technical and scientific information and expertise, and to prioritize partnerships to improve resource conditions in and around the Sea.
Governor Signs Drought Legislation
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed emergency drought legislation that provides $687 million to assist drought-stricken communities and accelerate projects to better capture, manage and use water resources.
Video of ACWA-Sponsored Drought Briefing Available Online
A video of the ACWA-sponsored drought briefing held in Sacramento Feb. 14 is now available online.
The briefing, which was held at the Crest Theatre, featured several panels of local, state and federal officials who discussed various aspects of drought response and planning. About 175 people attended the event and more than 1,400 watched it via webcast.
Snowpack Readings Slightly Improved, But Not Nearly Enough to End Drought
Despite the light snow falling in the Sierra, snowpack readings taken by Department of Water Resources (DWR) surveyors on Thursday still reveal paltry water content not nearly high enough to pull the state from its severe drought.
Manual and electronic readings captured Thursday reveal the snowpack’s statewide water content is at 24% of average for the date and 21% of the average April 1 reading – both far below normal.
U.S. Senate Confirms Connor as Deputy Secretary of Interior
The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Michael L. Connor to serve as deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior, by a 97-0 vote.
Fact Sheet Identifies Pain Points of California’s Drought
Do you or someone you know need a quick refresher on the drought and its widespread impacts? The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) boils down the crisis into a two-page briefing paper that takes only a few minutes to read.
Joint MCWRA & ACWA Region 3 Program – 3/11/2014
Tue, 03/11/2014 – 9:30am – 2:45pm
Location:
Auburn, CA
REGISTRATION OPEN!
MCWRA & ACWA Region 3
“Drought: A View from the Top”
DATE:
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Registration: 9:30 a.m.
Program: 10:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
LOCATION:
The Ridge Golf Course and Event Center
2020 Golf Course Rd, Auburn, CA 95602
ACWA Small Hydro Workshop & Tour
Fri, 03/21/2014 – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Location:
Rancho Cucamonga and Rialto
ACWA is hosting a new workshop and tour this year on small hydropower. A half-day workshop at the Cucamonga Valley Water District Frontier Project will include programs on site selection, permitting, financing and small hydropower technologies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Attendees then will have the option in the afternoon of touring Fontana Water Company’s Sandhill Small Hydro Facility in Rialto.
This workshop may qualify toward the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) continuing education credit.
Event and Registration Information
ACWA Region 5 Tour & Program – March 23 & 24 in Santa Cruz, CA
Sun, 03/23/2014 – Mon, 03/24/2014
Location:
Santa Cruz, CA
ACWA Region 5 Hosted Program
Working Together in Dry Times
How the Santa Cruz Water Community is Collaborating for Solutions
March 23 & 24, 2014
Children’s Water Education Festival
Wed, 03/26/2014 – Thu, 03/27/2014
Location:
University of California, Irvine
Presented by the Orange County Water District, Disneyland Resort, National Water Research Institute and the OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team, the Festival presents a unique opportunity to educate Orange County’s third, fourth and fifth grade students about water and the environment. More than 7,000 students are expected to attend. Volunteers, presenters and sponsors are needed to support this educational event. Learn more at www.childrenwaterfestival.com.
California Water Policy 23: Tangled Up In Blue
Thu, 04/03/2014 – Fri, 04/04/2014
Location:
The Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College
The California Water Policy conference is set for April 3-4 at Claremont McKenna College.
2014 Green California Summit and Exposition
Mon, 04/07/2014 – 1:00pm – Wed, 04/09/2014 – 5:00pm
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Event and registration information here.
Paying for Water in California
Thu, 04/10/2014 – 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location:
Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Rooms 202/203, Sacramento
Registration information here.
Climate Change and the Future of Groundwater in California
Wed, 04/16/2014
Location:
UC Davis Conference Center (Davis, CA)
The 2nd Annual Climate Change Water and Society (CCWAS) IGERT State of the Science workshop is here! “Climate Change and the Future of Groundwater in California” aims to bring together scientists, water managers, policy and decision makers, engineers and other interested stakeholders to identify key challenges and solutions for a sustainable groundwater future.
ACWA 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition
Tue, 05/06/2014 – Fri, 05/09/2014
Location:
Portola and Marriott Hotels, Monterey
Event and Registration Information
Conference Exhibitor Information
Conference Sponsorship Information
O.C. Water Summit
Fri, 05/16/2014
Location:
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Anaheim
Presented by the Orange County Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and Disneyland Resort, the Summit brings together more than 500 Southern California business professionals with international, national and state water industry stakeholders, elected officials, environmentalists, scientists and community leaders to discuss ongoing global water issues and how water supply challenges impact our economy and public safety. Prominent authors, world-renowned experts and distinguished speakers will also be a part of this critical dialogue.
IWA Watershed Management Conference
Tue, 09/09/2014 – 9:00am – Fri, 09/12/2014 – 5:00pm
Location:
San Francisco
The International Water Association is holding a specialists’ conference for water basin science and management Sept. 9 to 12 in San Francisco.
Submissions of abstracts of research may be submitted by March 3 for consideration of presentation at the conference. Abstracts may be submitted here.
