ACWA e-News for February 1, 2012

In comments submitted today on the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report for the fifth draft Delta Plan, ACWA expressed serious concern with the direction that the Delta Stewardship Council has taken to achieve the coequal goals in the Delta.

Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that water content in California’s mountain snowpack is far below normal for this time of year.

Surveys in three Sierra locations found the snowpack’s statewide water content at only ­­­37% of normal for the date. That is just 23% of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack normally is at its peak before the spring melt.

The Agricultural Stakeholder Committee will meet next week to dis­cuss the final draft of the Department of Water Resources' report to the Legislature on quantifying agricultural water use efficiency.

The meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 7, in Sacramento. Learn more about ag water use efficiency requirements.

Meeting details are here.

ACWA member agencies have until Thursday, March 1, to submit nominations and entries for ACWA's spring awards program.

ACWA’s Clair A. Hill Agency Award for Excellence recognizes exemplary programs developed by ACWA member agencies in water resources management. Sponsored by CH2M Hill, the award recognizes projects and programs in a variety of areas, including capital improvement, water quality, watershed or ecosystem restoration, renewable energy and more.

General sign-up for a federal natural resources conservation program begins March 12.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s voluntary Conservation Reserve Program is available to agricultural producers and aims to protect natural resources while providing economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.  

The Bureau of Reclamation will hold a public workshop on the Mid-Pacific Region’s Municipal and Industrial Water Shortage Policy on Friday, Feb. 10, in Sacramento.

In 2011, Reclamation held several stakeholder workshops and public scoping meetings to solicit public input on the updated M&I WSP and to receive comment on the scope of a proposed Environmental Impact Statement.

ACWA is requesting proposals for human resources services, including executive searches, leadership development and career transition services to join its Preferred Provider Program.

The deadline to submit proposals is 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24. Contact ACWA Business Development Specialist Linda Anderson for more information.

Local water rates and prospects for the 2012 water bond were the focus of recent news stories around the state.

A story published in the Sacramento Bee Jan. 30 chronicles the need to upgrade aging water systems and invest in new technologies to meet more stringent regulations. Water agencies facing these and other cost-drivers are considering water rate increases to maintain their ability to deliver reliable water supplies to consumers.

With the state’s second snow survey of the season slated for Wednesday, Feb. 1, water managers are keeping a watchful eye on conditions as they plan for the 2012 water year.

The Department of Water Resources’ first snow survey, conducted Jan. 3 of this year, showed one of the driest snowpacks on record for the date, with snow water content at just 19% of average. In contrast, the state’s first snow survey for 2011, held Dec. 28, 2010, showed California’s mountain snowpack to be 198% of normal for that date.

The Delta Stewardship Council has appointed Dr. Peter Goodwin as new Lead Scientist for the Delta Science Program.

Goodwin, an internationally-recognized expert in ecohydraulics (the impact of management on aquatic ecosystems), ecosystem restoration, and enhancement of river, wetland and estuarine systems, replaces Dr. Cliff Dahm. His appointment is effective March 1.