ACWA e-News for January 11, 2012

ACWA's e-Newsletter is a weekly roundup of California water news and events. Manage your subscription.

Value of Water Headlines Latest Issue of 'Water For Tomorrow' Magazine

The value of a clean and reliable water source is front and center in the latest issue of Water for Tomorrow magazine, which reaches subscribers this week.  

Produced by ACWA in partnership with National Geographic Custom Publishing, the magazine features a variety of features, fun facts and interviews designed to educate and inform Californians about the state’s water supply and delivery system.

Bills on Water Bond Reduction, Peripheral Canal Fail in Assembly Committee

ACWA-opposed legislation to reduce the size of the 2012 water bond and prohibit construction of a peripheral canal without legislative approval failed passage in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on Jan. 10.

Central Valley Hydrologic Model Workshop Offered

The Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey will hold a two-day workshop to present datasets used for the Central Valley Hydrologic Model.

The workshop will be presented in four parts over the two days: 1) Hydrogeologic Framework, 2) Surface Water and Climate, 3) Irrigated Agriculture, and 4) Model Observations and Ways to Move Forward. 

Report Points to Water Reuse as Significant Source of Future Supplies

Reusing municipal wastewater could significantly increase the nation’s available water supplies, according to a new report from the National Research Council.

Sponsored by federal agencies, local water districts and private research foundations, the report also found that with recent advances in technology, the possible health risks of exposure to chemical contaminants and disease-causing microbes may actually be lower than the risks of existing water supplies.

ACWA Awards Offer Opportunities for Statewide Recognition

Do you know someone who has exhibited exceptional leadership skills in California water? Has your agency created an outstanding project or program in water resources management?

Consider submitting a nomination or entry for ACWA’s Excellence in Water Leadership Award or Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence.

Clair Hill Award

Changes Ahead for Delta Economy, PPIC Report Says

The Delta region will undergo tremendous change in the coming decades that will have broad effects on land use, employment and economic activity, the Public Policy Institute of California says in a report released this month.

Wildlife Agencies, Water Authority Sign 55-year Habitat Conservation Agreement

A new agreement aimed at protecting endangered species while streamlining the infrastructure permitting process has been signed between state and federal wildlife agencies and the San Diego County Water Authority.

Op-Ed: Voters Agree Major Infrastructure Investments Are Needed

Though jobs and the economy are clearly dominant issues today, voters remain concerned about the state's water supply and agree California should make major investments to upgrade and modernize our water supply system, writes ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn in the Sacramento Bee today.

Read the full opinion-editorial piece.

Governor Brown Proposes 2012-’13 Budget

Gov. Jerry Brown today proposed a state budget for 2012-’13 that includes steep spending cuts, seeks to increase local flexibility and decision making and calls for investments in water supply reliability, high-speed rail and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Released at a hastily called news conference after the proposal was inadvertently posted on the Department of Finance website, the budget aims to close a projected $9.2 billion shortfall in 2012-’13 through $10.3 billion in proposed cuts and the establishment of a $1.1 billion reserve.

More Water Temporarily Available for Some CVP Contractors

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that additional water is available for south-of-delta Central Valley Project contractors through a temporary water service contract.

The federal share of San Luis Reservoir, which totals about 965,000 acre-feet, filled on Jan. 2, and current CVP water demands in the south-of-delta service area are less than the operational and export capability at the Jones Pumping Plant, the Bureau said in a statement.

Dry Winter Has Fire Officials on Alert

Citing unusually dry conditions over the past month, CAL FIRE officials are warning of increased fire danger and canceling planned burn days in some areas.

On top of drier than normal conditions, high wind events and low humidity have increased the danger of fire over the past month, CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott said in a written statement. As a result, crews responded to an unusually high number of wildfires in December.

Deadline for USDA Conservation Innovation Grant Pre-proposals Jan. 31

The deadline to submit project pre-proposals for 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service is Tues., Jan. 31.

Pre-proposals support large-scale demonstration projects that test and prove original approaches to conserving America's private lands.

This year's CIG projects focus on nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health, wildlife and CIG projects assessment.

NRCS is especially interested in projects that demonstrate:

Deadline Extended: Respond to ACWA's Social Media Survey by Jan. 27

The deadline to participate in ACWA's social media survey has been extended to Friday, Jan. 27.

Initiated by ACWA’s Technology Subcommittee, the survey aims to gather information on how public water agencies are using social media and websites.

Results of the survey will be used to provide examples and best practices to agencies not currently in the social media space. One completed survey per agency is preferred. 

Groundwater Survey Workshops (Tulare Lake Regional Forum)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: 
Fresno County Farm Bureau, Fresno CA
Regional Workshops


Groundwater Survey Workshops (San Joaquin River Regional Forum)

Wed, 01/18/2012
Location: 
Location TBD
Regional Workshops


ACWA Region 2, 3, & 4 Informational Forums Focus on 2012 Water Bond, Financing Issues and Strategic Plan

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
ACWA 910 K Street, Sacramento

With a Water Bond slated for the November 2012 Ballot, signals in the Governor's budget that water will be a priority and all eyes on a dry winter, water will be a major focus of the California Legislature and the Governor this year. Additionally, a special ACWA Task Force, "The California Water Finance Task Force" has been working over the past few months to develop concepts around the long-term financing of public benefits as part of the implementation of the 2009 Comprehensive Legislative Package.


Groundwater Survey Workshops (Sacramento River Regional Forum)

Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 
Redding, CA
Regional Workshops


ACWA Region 1 & 5 Informational Forums Focus on 2012 Water Bond, Financing Issues and Strategic Plan

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Contra Costa Water District 1331 Concord Ave., Concord

With a Water Bond slated for the November 2012 Ballot, signals in the Governor's budget that water will be a priority and all eyes on a dry winter, water will be a major focus of the California Legislature and the Governor this year. Additionally, a special ACWA Task Force, "The California Water Finance Task Force" has been working over the past few months to develop concepts around the long-term financing of public benefits as part of the implementation of the 2009 Comprehensive Legislative Package.


ACWA Region 6 & 7 Informational Forums Focus on 2012 Water Bond, Financing Issues and Strategic Plan

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Fresno County Farm Bureau 1274 W Hedges Ave., Fresno

With a Water Bond slated for the November 2012 Ballot, signals in the Governor's budget that water will be a priority and all eyes on a dry winter, water will be a major focus of the California Legislature and the Governor this year. Additionally, a special ACWA Task Force, "The California Water Finance Task Force" has been working over the past few months to develop concepts around the long-term financing of public benefits as part of the implementation of the 2009 Comprehensive Legislative Package.


ACWA Region 8, 9 & 10 Informational Forums Focus on 2012 Water Bond, Financing Issues and Strategic Plan

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Western Municipal Water District 14205 Meridian Pkwy, Riverside

With a Water Bond slated for the November 2012 Ballot, signals in the Governor's budget that water will be a priority and all eyes on a dry winter, water will be a major focus of the California Legislature and the Governor this year. Additionally, a special ACWA Task Force, "The California Water Finance Task Force" has been working over the past few months to develop concepts around the long-term financing of public benefits as part of the implementation of the 2009 Comprehensive Legislative Package.


ACWA's 2012 Washington, D.C. Conference

Tue, 02/28/2012 - Thu, 03/01/2012
Location: 
Washington Court Hotel, Washington, D.C.

ACWA's 2012 Washington, D.C. Conference will be Feb. 28 to March 1, 2012.

ACWA's 2012 Legislative Symposium

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: 
Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento

ACWA's 2012 Legislative Symposium is set for March 7, 2012, at the Sacramento Convention Center. 


ACWA 2012 Spring Conference & Exhibition

Tue, 05/08/2012 - Fri, 05/11/2012
Location: 
Conference Center, Portola & Marriott Hotels, Monterey, CA

Conference Exhibitors 

*Programs are subjects to change without notice

Attention ACWA Members: A General Session Membership Meeting is set for Wednesday, May 9, at the ACWA Spring Conference & Exhibition. Details and proxy card information can be found here.