ACWA e-News for July 7, 2010

The State Water Resources Control Board has announced the appointment of Craig M. Wilson to the newly created position of Delta watermaster. Wilson, an attorney with Stoel Rives LLP, served as the State Board’s chief counsel from 2000 to 2005 and held a variety of positions with the board prior to that.

Delta Stewardship Council-appointee Richard Roos-Collins has withdrawn his name from consideration by a Senate committee after concerns were raised regarding his ability to remain impartial on a plan to restore the Delta.

The EPA has made available and is accepting public comment on the Draft FY 2011-2015 EPA Strategic Plan, which will be submitted to Congress on September 30.

“The Strategic Plan provides the Agency's long-term direction and strategies to improve environmental and human health over the next five years,” the agency said.  

ACWA submitted comments July 2 on the draft Interim Delta Plan under development by the Delta Stewardship Council. ACWA’s comments stress the need to put early actions in place to gain insight as the council develops a final Delta Plan.

Established as part of the comprehensive water package enacted by the Legislature in November 2009, the council is charged with developing a final plan by Jan.1, 2012, to achieve the co-equal goals of providing a more reliable water supply and restoring the Delta ecosystem.

Today Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the project areas that will be funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) during Fiscal Year 2010.

ACWA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010. Since its formation in 1910, ACWA has been a guiding force in California water. From early irrigation statutes to the historic legislative package signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in November 2009, ACWA continues to help shape the laws and policies that affect California’s water resources.

A special video presentation debuted in May at ACWA's Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. Click below to view.

The House Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research held a hearing this morning to review the administration and delivery of conservation programs that ACWA worked hard to ensure were included in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Online registration opened today for workshops to be held in August throughout the state to discuss the draft SBX7 6 Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program. These six workshops, hosted by ACWA and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will offer attendees the opportunities to learn about the program, volunteer criteria, ask questions, and provide public input while the provisions are in draft form.