California Water Commission

The California Water Commission explores water management issues from multiple perspectives and formulates recommendations to advise the Department of Water Resources and others on ways to improve water planning and management in response to California’s changing hydrology.

The California Water Commission recently completed two white papers as directed by the Water Resilience Portfolio: their assessment of the state's role in financing conveyance projects that could help meet needs in a changing climate, and an investigation of the role of the state in supporting groundwater trading as a tool for groundwater management.  The Commission is currently investigating how to manage more frequent, more prolonged, and more intense drought conditions, as requested by the Natural Resources Agency.

The Commission administers the Prop 1 Water Storage Investment Program, funding seven projects that, when completed, will boost California’s water storage capacity by 2.77 million acre-feet.

Also notable, the California Water Commission must adopt a resolution of necessity and hold a public hearing before the Department of Water Resources may begin an eminent domain proceeding.

Governance:

The California Water Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Seven members are chosen for their expertise related to the control, storage, and beneficial use of water and two are chosen for their knowledge of the environment.  Click here for the current list of members.

Click here for coverage of the California Water Commission on Maven's Notebook.