May 28, 2010

On May 25 and 26, participants in the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) held briefings in Washington, D.C. to update Executive and Legislative Branch officials on the latest developments regarding BDCP.  The participants included John Cain, American Rivers; Dan Castleberry, U.S.

On May 27, a scheduled hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the emerging Water Resources Development Act was postponed due to Senate consideration of the Iraq-Afghanistan war supplemental spending bill.  To allow the witnesses to still convey their messages, the hearing was turned into a staff and stakeholder briefing. Speakers included James Weakley, President, Lake Carriers' Association;  Mr. Stephen D. Little,  President and CEO, Crounse Corporation and Chairman, Inland Waterways Users Board; Mr.

Yesterday, the House Energy & Commerce Committed marked up legislation authorizing increased funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). H.R. 5320, the “Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2010,” or AQUA Act, was approved with bipartisan support, 45-1.

Manager’s Amendment

ACWA is seeking input from its members on two issues related to the implementation of the historic legislative water package enacted in November.

First, the association is asking members to complete a survey on groundwater monitoring and how agencies currently report their data. Information gathered from the Groundwater Monitoring Survey will assist DWR as it develops a practical monitoring program for water systems affected by SBX7 6, the groundwater monitoring legislation.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that it is planning to make up to $1 million available for grants to fund research and projects in desalinization and advanced water treatment.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein this week urged the State Water Resources Control Board and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to take action to address ammonia contamination affecting fish species in the Delta.