Yesterday, Governor Brown issued an executive order, making some water conservation measures permanent and calling on water suppliers to prepare for a future made drier by climate change. Shortly thereafter, the State Water Board released their proposal to modify the emergency urban water conservation regulation.
Here are the agencies and organizations who have responded, listed in alphabetical order:
From the Association of California Water Agencies:
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today regarding a staff proposal released by the State Water Resources Control Board to modify the existing emergency regulation and an executive order issued by Gov. Jerry Brown regarding long-term water conservation.
“The State Water Board’s staff proposal to amend the short-term emergency regulation and the Governor’s executive order on long-term conservation are positive developments. It’s clear that the Brown Administration and the State Water Board have been listening and learning – as we all have – during this drought and the constructive policy discussion this year.
“On the emergency regulation, we are pleased the staff is proposing a fundamentally different approach that builds on extensive feedback from the water community and recognizes the role of local investments in drought-resilient supplies. The proposal also reflects improved conditions and provides a more appropriate level of local authority and decision making over water management. While the statewide drought is not over, it is time to better match conservation levels with local water supply conditions.
“In the longer term through its executive order, the Administration is raising the bar on water use efficiency. We need a better approach for dealing with droughts into the future, and look forward to working with the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Board to develop an effective framework. If we get this right, it will benefit the entire state and largely eliminate the need for reactive emergency regulations in the future. ”
From the Environmental Defense Fund:
Statement by David Festa, senior vice president of ecosystems at Environmental Defense Fund:
California Governor Jerry Brown today issued an executive order aimed at bolstering the state’s water conservation plans as drought persists. The order establishes new actions – from eliminating water waste to improving agricultural water use efficiency – that will help achieve the priorities in the Governor’s Water Action Plan.
Last week, Environmental Defense Fund released a set of policy recommendations for reforming California’s water market.
The following is a statement by David Festa, EDF senior vice president of the Ecosystems Program:
“The Governor’s Executive Order is a good use of the brief respite we’re getting from the drought in some parts of the state.
“The State as a whole needs to move from temporary and ad hoc measures to a longer-term strategy that can ensure that California’s people and environment will continue to thrive in the face of a changing climate. We need better data, modern management plans and an emphasis on bottom-up approaches to eliminating waste in order to achieve a sustainable water future for California.”
From the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power:
“As climate change makes drought the new normal in California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) applauds Governor Brown’s effort to further strengthen the emergency water conservation efforts enacted during California’s historic drought.
Los Angeles has been a leader in water conservation in the State, having adopted the current Mandatory Water Conservation Ordinance in 2010 and implementing some of the most forward-thinking conservation policies and programs to save water, including the Cash in Your Lawn turf removal rebate program and recently strengthening water use restrictions to more effectively reduce use among the City’s highest water users.
Angelenos continue to meet the Mayor’s water use goals set forth in Executive Directive No. 5 for Emergency Drought Response, requiring a 20 percent reduction in daily per capita water use by January 2017. In March 2016, Angelenos used 106 gallons per person per day— a nearly 19 percent cumulative reduction from FY 13/14.
During the current five-year drought, LADWP customers have also consistently reduced their water consumption on a month-to-month basis, achieving the goals set both by Mayor Garcetti and Governor Brown.
We look forward to working with the State as a leading urban water supplier to develop new standards that can assist other municipalities and water agencies. LADWP will continue to promote a conservation mindset with our customers, assisting the State in permanently establishing the long term efficiency and conservation needed to withstand continued drought periods.
From the Metropolitan Water District:
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, issues the following statement on Gov. Jerry Brown’s Drought Executive Order:
“Southern California’s long-term water plan already assumes conservation achievements above and beyond those targeted by state legislation for 2020. Gov. Brown’s executive order is completely consistent with conservation objectives for Southern California.
“While this relatively normal rain season in Northern California is a welcome change from last year’s historically low snowpack, Southern California remains in drought conditions. Metropolitan fully supports the governor’s Water Action plan and making conservation a way of life for California each and every year.”
From Assemblymember Kristen Olsen:
“Assemblymember Kristin Olsen (R-Riverbank) issued the following statement in response to Governor Brown’s executive order issued today, which establishes longer-term water conservation measures:
“While it is crucial to ensure that Californians are maximizing every drop of water they have access to, conservation will not get us out of this drought or prepare us for the future.
“To ensure water for every Californian – now and in the future – we must expedite and help fund water projects that will increase supply and allow people in every region of the state to prosper.
“As these regulations are developed, I encourage the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board to work with stakeholders and legislators from every region of the state, to ensure that local and statewide economic needs are protected.”
Sign up for daily email service and you’ll never miss a post!
Sign up for daily emails and get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. Breaking news alerts, too. Sign me up!
