There was a lot of breaking news on Friday: The California Water Fix project released the details on Design and Construction Enterprise, as well as the project’s Biological Assessment; the State Water Board released the proposed emergency regulation for urban water conservation; and the drought contingency plan for the operation of the state and federal water projects for 2016 was posted. That’s a lot of paperwork to be reading over the holiday – and I suppose some are reading documents still, but here are the reactions I’ve received so far. I’ll follow up with another post, should more come in …
ACWA:“Modest” Adjustment by State Water Board Staff Does not Respond to Concerns Raised by Water Community
From the Association of California Water Agencies:
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement on the draft emergency conservation regulation released today by the State Water Resources Control Board staff. The draft regulation would extend the requirements of the existing regulation through October and offer “modest adjustments” to reflect climate, growth and significant investments in new, locally developed drought-resilient potable water supplies.
“While we continue to review the draft regulation issued by the State Water Board staff, we are disappointed that it does not fully recognize the importance of local investments in drought-resilient water supplies.
“While the staff has offered up some cosmetic adjustments, the draft regulation does not go far enough to address the very legitimate concerns the water community has been raising. We believe the state’s drought response should allow local communities to utilize the water supply tools they have created to buffer the effects of droughts such as this one.
“Yesterday, in his release of the California Water Action Plan 2016 Update, Governor Jerry Brown emphasized the importance of an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy that includes conservation as well as investments in local drought-resilient supplies, saying we need a ‘balanced set of actions’ to move forward on water. The State Water Board’s current regulatory approach is blatantly inconsistent with that wise policy directive, and will undermine local investments so critical to the long-term success of the governor’s plan.
“We will continue to seek further adjustments to allow communities to benefit from the preparations their local water agencies have made for multiyear droughts.”
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.
Delta Counties Coalition Supervisors decry lack of transparency in Governor’s tunnel plan design and construction agreement
From Delta Counties Coalition:
“In response to an announcement today by the California Department of Water Resources regarding a tentative agreement to begin construction of Governor Brown’s tunnel plan through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC) issued the following statement:
“With no notice or collaboration despite numerous opportunities, including a public meeting we attended yesterday with Governor Brown and Resources Secretary Laird, the region most affected by this plan for taking additional water from the Delta, was never consulted or even made aware of this outrageous plan to begin construction before a mandatory environmental review is completed,” said Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, chair of the DCC.
“To green light a construction authority, which will potentially have veto power over State oversight before environmental reviews are completed, is a breach of good faith in reaching a water solution for all Californians.”
The DCC has advocated for protecting the interests of the Delta and California’s water supply and produced a set of approaches that will achieve balance for the economic and environmental health of the Delta while also improving water supply stability. Those solutions include:
- Improving the ability to move water around as needed with cost-effective water system operation improvements.
- Increasing storage capacity.
- Reinforcing our levee system.
- Increasing opportunities for local storage, increased conservation plans, water reuse and recycling and desalination.
- Restoring the Delta’s health so that it can continue its role as an economic, agricultural, recreational and environmental engine for the region and state.
The DCC was formed to better represent the nearly 4 million people throughout the Delta region and works collaboratively to give one voice to the Delta and engage in efforts to achieve three goals: improve the Delta ecosystem, provide a more reliable water supply for the State, and protect and enhance Delta communities.“
State Water Contractors: Draft Agreement on Construction & Design Process Marks Important Milestone for California WaterFix
From the State Water Contractors:
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today posted a draft agreement that describes how the state will oversee design and construction of the California WaterFix if state and federal regulatory agencies permit the project. The draft agreement includes a public Joint Powers Authority (JPA) comprised of the water agencies that may choose to fund design and construction of the project. The terms of the Design and Construction Enterprise draft agreement are available here.
“The draft agreement proposes one of the most transparent construction processes in the state’s history and adds a significant layer of accountability. As potential funding agencies and stewards of ratepayer dollars, our public water agencies must ensure that a new water conveyance system is completed on time and on budget,” said Terry Erlewine, general manager of the State Water Contractors. “Building a modern delivery system that allows us to capture water when it’s available is as important as ever. The draft agreement is an important step forward, and we will continue making progress towards a final plan and project.”The tentative agreement will not go into effect until the DWR and the JPA, authorize the agreement.California WaterFix will improve water reliability for 26 million Californians, businesses and farms and protect the environment of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Learn more about the project at: www.californiawaterfix.com.The State Water Contractors is a statewide, non-profit association of 27 public agencies from Northern, Central and Southern California that purchase water under contract from the California State Water Project. Collectively the State Water Contractors deliver water to more than 25 million residents throughout the state and more than 750,000 acres of agricultural lands. For more information on the State Water Contractors, please visit www.swc.org.
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