Submitted by Lisa Lien-Mager on Wed, 03/16/2016 – 4:05pm
High flows from recent storms are underscoring the need for long-term Delta solutions to meet the coequal goals and take advantage of El Niño’s handiwork, ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn writes in the latest entry in the Voices on Water blog.
Submitted by Emily Allshouse on Wed, 03/16/2016 – 3:39pm
The California Water Commission heard recommendations Wednesday from staff and stakeholders on its proposed Water Storage Investment Program Quantification Regulations. The proposed regulations establish the process by which the CWC would evaluate potential projects for the purpose of allocating $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funds dedicated to helping fund water storage projects.
Submitted by Josh Abel on Wed, 03/16/2016 – 12:57pm
A diverse group of stakeholders sent a letter March 15 to U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, imploring them to pass a drought bill that can be signed into law before the end of the President’s term.
The group, a mix of over 100 Western water user organizations (including ACWA), commodity groups, and state farm bureaus, was following up on a similar letter it sent in October 2015.
Submitted by Lisa Lien-Mager on Tue, 03/15/2016 – 4:57pm
Drenching rains have restored key Northern California reservoirs to historic averages, but Southern California has largely missed out and water storage south of the Delta remains low, state and federal water managers said in an update to the State Water Resources Control Board on March 15.
While the recent storms are “encouraging” and have sent large volumes of water into rivers, streams and reservoirs, officials are not ready to declare a “March Miracle” that will lift the state completely out of drought.
Submitted by Emily Allshouse on Mon, 03/14/2016 – 10:58am
The State Water Resources Control Board on Monday announced it will host a “Water Data Dive,” a series of water data-related events including a special Data Innovation Challenge, from March 18 to April 22.
According to the State Water Board, the challenge is a competition for software developers and designers to create apps, visualizations and other tools that can enhance the availability and integration of key water data.
Submitted by Emily Allshouse on Mon, 03/14/2016 – 9:56am
Gov. Jerry Brown announced March 11 the new appointment of Carol Baker and reappointment of Andrew Ball to the California Water Commission. With Baker’s appointment, the CWC is now fully seated with a total of nine commissioners. The other commissioners are Joseph Byrne (chair), Daniel Curtin, Paula Daniels, Joe Del Bosque (vice chair), Maria Herrera, David Orth, and Armando Quintero.
Both Baker and Ball’s appointments require Senate confirmation.
Submitted by Emily Allshouse on Fri, 03/11/2016 – 10:09am
The California Department of Water Resources on Thursday announced the deadline for public comment on its Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) regulations has been extended from March 25 to April 1. DWR’s Draft GSP Emergency Regulations were released Feb. 18, which initiated the formal public review and comment period.
DWR will host a series of public meetings in March to solicit public comment on the draft regulations. Those meetings will be held:
The Water Education Foundation’s 33rd annual Executive Briefing, will be held March 17, 2016 in Sacramento. The theme for this year’s briefing is “Defining the New Normal.”
This briefing is intended for water district managers and board members, state and federal agency officials, city and county government officials, farmers, environmentalists, attorneys, consultants, engineers, business executives and public interest groups.
Visalia Convention Center 303 E Acequia Avenue, Visalia
By June 1, 2016, pursuant to Water Code Section 10733.2, DWR is required to adopt emergency regulations for evaluating and implementing GSPs and alternatives to GSPs to achieve the legislative intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Code Section 10720.1). GSP emergency regulations will identify the elements specified in Water Code Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6, as well as other information that will assist groundwater sustainability agencies and local public agencies in planning for basin-wide sustainability.
Delhi Community Center 505 E. Central Avenue, Santa Ana
By June 1, 2016, pursuant to Water Code Section 10733.2, DWR is required to adopt emergency regulations for evaluating and implementing GSPs and alternatives to GSPs to achieve the legislative intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Code Section 10720.1). GSP emergency regulations will identify the elements specified in Water Code Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6, as well as other information that will assist groundwater sustainability agencies and local public agencies in planning for basin-wide sustainability.
The State Water Resources Control Board’s Storm Water Planning Unit is hosting a seminar March 23 that focuses on a recent report from the National Academy of Sciences titled Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits.
By June 1, 2016, pursuant to Water Code Section 10733.2, DWR is required to adopt emergency regulations for evaluating and implementing GSPs and alternatives to GSPs to achieve the legislative intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Code Section 10720.1). GSP emergency regulations will identify the elements specified in Water Code Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6, as well as other information that will assist groundwater sustainability agencies and local public agencies in planning for basin-wide sustainability.
Secretary of State Building 1500 11th Street, Sacramento
By June 1, 2016, pursuant to Water Code Section 10733.2, DWR is required to adopt emergency regulations for evaluating and implementing GSPs and alternatives to GSPs to achieve the legislative intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (Water Code Section 10720.1). GSP emergency regulations will identify the elements specified in Water Code Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6, as well as other information that will assist groundwater sustainability agencies and local public agencies in planning for basin-wide sustainability.
Sacramento County Sanitation 10060 Goethe Rd Sacramento, CA 95827
CFCC agencies fund primarily the
following types of infrastructure
projects:
Drinking water
Water conservation
Wastewater Water use efficiency
Water quality Energy efficiency
Water supply Flood management
Some of the participating agencies also fund other types of
infrastructure projects including streets and highways, emergency
response vehicles, solid waste, and community facilities.
Tour begins at the Sacramento International Airport
Sponsored by the Water Education Foundation this field trip ventures through California’s Central Valley which covers about 20,000 square miles through the heart of the state and provides 25% of the nation’s food, including 40% of all fruits, nuts and vegetables consumed throughout the country.
The 2016 Green California Summit will offer presentations from experts and leaders who will provide information and resources to grow green programs. Topics range from water conservation, green fleets and energy efficiency (including Prop 39) to funding. More details here.
ACWA’s 2016 Spring Conference & Exhibition is set for May 3-6, 2016, at the Marriott and Portola hotels in Monterey. The theme is “2016: It’s Go Time”.
Online Registration & cancellation deadline is April 8, 2016 – 4:30 p.m. (PST)