ACWA eNews for December 24, 2014

  • by BPC Staff
  • on December 26, 2014
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ACWA eNews for Dec. 24, 2014

ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds 2009 Biological Opinion on Delta Diversions

A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a 2009 biological opinion that called for reductions in the amount of water pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect fish.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously to uphold the 2009 biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service that required water curtailments from the Delta to protect salmon and other species. That NMFS ruling has been in effect since its issuance.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan Refined to Lessen Impacts on Local Landowners 

In an effort to lessen impacts on Delta landowners and preserve sandhill crane habitat, the administration of Gov. Jerry Brown and its federal partners today announced several significant changes to the water conveyance portion of the proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan, including eliminating a proposal to build three new pumping plants along the Sacramento River.

ACWA-Sponsored Water Rate Workshops Set for January 2015 

ACWA is jointly sponsoring two workshops designed for general managers and financial officers titled “Crafting Water Rates for Revenue Stability and Conservation.” During the workshops, leading rate experts will demonstrate a new rate-setting tool, show how long-term rates can be kept down by investing in efficiency, and discuss compliance with California law.

Federal Guidelines for Water Investments Released

The Obama Administration, on Wednesday, released an update to guidelines for federal investments in projects that affect water quality or flows. The new guidelines are meant to give greater weight to environmental concerns stemming from federal investments.

California, Arizona, and Nevada Agree to Voluntary Plan to Prevent Lake Mead Shortage

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Central Arizona Project and the Southern Nevada Water Authority on Dec. 11 agreed to voluntary changes in Colorado River water management practices that would reduce the amount of water used by California, Arizona and Nevada and hopefully prevent a shortage from being declared in Lake Mead.

U.S. Drought Monitor Updates Conditions for California: Improved, but Still Severe

The U.S. Drought Monitor released updated ratings for California’s drought today, showing improvements to the state’s classifications of “extreme” and “exceptional drought” but the state’s classification for “severe drought” remains steady at 94%.

The U.S. Drought Monitor also reported that reservoirs statewide remain well below normal and the state’s snowpack also is far below normal because recent storms have delivered more rain than snow.

Managing Drought

Mon, 01/12/2015 – 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location:

Sheraton Grand Sacramento 1230 J Street, Magnolia Room, Sacramento

California’s historic drought is revealing strengths and weaknesses in how we manage our precious water resources. At this half-day event—coinciding with the beginning of a new legislative session—participants will examine Australia’s millennium drought, consider climate change and future droughts in California, look back at lessons from 2014, and look forward to policy priorities for 2015.

This event is made possible with funding from the California Water Foundation, an initiative of the Resources Legacy Fund.

Crafting Rates for Revenue Stability and Conservation

Thu, 01/15/2015 – 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location:

PG&E Pacific Energy Center, San Francisco

ACWA is jointly sponsoring two all-day workshops to address how California water utilities can assure fiscal stability while still sending effective conservation signals and complying with Propositions 26 & 218.

Crafting Rates for Revenue Stability and Conservation

Wed, 01/28/2015 – 8:30am – 4:00pm
Location:

MWD of Southern California, Los Angeles

ACWA is jointly sponsoring two all-day workshops to address how California water utilities can assure fiscal stability while still sending effective conservation signals and complying with Propositions 26 & 218.

California Irrigation Institute Annual Conference

Mon, 02/02/2015 – Tue, 02/03/2015
Location:

Hilton Sacramento Arden-West

The California Irrigation Institute (CII) would like to invite you to the 53rd Annual CII Conference February 2-3, 2015 held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden-West in Sacramento, California.

CII is the oldest independent forum on water and irrigation. The conference is attended by water industry professionals, agricultural and urban water suppliers, farmers, landscape contractors and government representatives who come together to discuss the future of and improving water use efficiency, water quality and surface and groundwater management in California.

ACWA 2015 DC Conference

Wed, 02/25/2015 – Thu, 02/26/2015
Location:

The Liaison Hotel, Washington, D.C.

ACWA’s 2015 Washington, D.C. Conference is set for February 25-26, 2015 at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, D.C.

114TH CONGRESS- NEW DIRECTIONS REQUIRE NEW STRATEGIES

ACWA 2015 Legislative Symposium

Wed, 03/04/2015
Location:

Sacramento Convention Center

ACWA’s 2015 Legislative Symposium is set for March 4, 2015, in Sacramento.

The event will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center.

Water Education Foundation Executive Briefing

Wed, 03/25/2015
Location:

Sacramento at the Red Lion Inn

2015 Executive Briefing

The Foundation’s annual Executive Briefing features speakers from water stakeholder groups, the Legislature and governmental agencies that play important roles in making policy decisions about water. The 31st Annual Executive Briefing will be March 25, 2015 in Sacramento at the Red Lion Inn.

ACWA 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition

Tue, 05/05/2015 – Fri, 05/08/2015
Location:

Sacramento Convention Center and Surrounding Hotels, Sacramento

ACWA’s 2015 Spring Conference & Exhibition is set for May 5-8, 2015, at the Sacramento Convention Center and surrounding hotels in Sacramento. Further details to come.

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