ACWA e-News for November 16, 2011

Growing demand for both energy and water could lead to new conflicts between electricity production and water availability in the West, according to a new study from the Pacific Institute.

Four dynamic and dedicated individuals have been nominated for ACWA’s 2011 Emissary Award.

The award, in its sixth year, recognizes outstanding leadership by ACWA member volunteers in advancing the association’s mission, and is its highest honor bestowed on an individual. The recipient will be unveiled during the opening breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at ACWA’s 2011 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim.

Nominees are:

The Delta Stewardship Council will take public input on the Delta Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report during a public meeting tomorrow and Friday in Sacramento.

Released Nov. 4, the 2,200-page Draft EIR covers one proposed project alternative and five additional alternatives, and identifies the council’s draft Delta Plan as the “environmentally superior” plan. ACWA responded with a statement.

The public will hear an update on the BDCP planning process and how demand management for Delta water interacts with the BDCP at a meeting today in Sacramento.

A new mobile application is available to help ACWA conference attendees get the most out of the association’s semi-annual events.   

The free app – currently available for Android and iPhone devices – features a full conference schedule, maps of the event and a live conference Twitter feed. Users can plan their day, view and locate conference exhibitors, and get information on keynote speakers.

A mobile web page with the same information is available for BlackBerry users.

Beginning in January, ACWA's printed newsletter, ACWA News, will be published on a new schedule that will include one printed issue and one electronic issue per month.

The change, approved by ACWA's Board of Directors as part of the 2012 budget, will allow the association to reduce costs for printing and postage while still providing timely information to members and other key audiences.

Elections for ACWA president and vice president for the 2012-’13 term are set for Nov. 30 at ACWA’s 2011 Fall Conference & exhibition in Anaheim.

The ACWA Nominating Committee has issued a slate that recommends current Vice President Randy Record for ACWA president and current Federal Affairs Committee Chair John Coleman for ACWA vice president.

The vote will take place during the general session immediately following the luncheon program. The session is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m.

ACWA and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) are calling on the water community to complete an online survey regarding groundwater management activities in California.

The survey is aimed at compiling information on groundwater management efforts statewide to share with policy makers and other stakeholders.