Water Commission Holds First Meeting

Members of the newly reconstituted California Water Commission got a glimpse of the issues awaiting them during an inaugural meeting Tuesday in Sacramento.

Under the comprehensive water legislation enacted in 2009, the commission will be charged with allocating $3 billion in funding designated for new water storage projects in the 2012 water bond. If the bond measure is approved by voters, the commission would allocate funds for the public benefit portion of storage projects.

The commission is also tasked with developing and adopting regulations identifying ways to quantify and manage public benefits such as ecosystem restoration, water quality improvements, flood control, emergency response and recreation. The regulations are due by Dec. 12, 2012.

Commission members, appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this year, heard an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the commission as well as presentations on the 2009 legislative package, the California Water Plan Update 2009 and a recent report by the Little Hoover Commission recommending changes to the state’s water management and planning structure.

Members also voted to designate Susan Sims, chief deputy director of the Department of Water Resources, as interim executive director for the commission.

The next meeting of the commission is expected to take place in November and will include briefings on State Water Project challenges, the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan process and coordination with the Delta Stewardship Council.

More on the California Water Commission is available here.