ACWA News for Sept. 20, 2013 by ACWA

NEWS

ACWA ACWA’s • Member • Newsletter

Volume 41 | No. 9 September 20, 2013

Workers harvest corn on Uesugi Farms in Gilroy, Calif., on Aug. 28. Growers and water managers across California have coped with two consecutive dry years, and state officials are warning it’s possible that 2014 will be dry as well. U.S. Department of Agriculture photo by Bob Nichols

State Ag Board and Water Commission Examine California’s Water Situation California growers joined local and state water managers Sept. 10 at a joint meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture and the California Water Commission to examine how the state’s water supply and agricultural industry would be impacted by another dry year.

“What California grows is what the world is looking for…,” said Craig McNamara, chair of the California State Board of Food and Agricul-

ture. “But if we don’t have water we can’t continue this tremendous record of achievement.” Growers and water managers explained throughout the day-long informational meeting how their respective operations have adapted to survive the past two dry years and what could be done by state officials to help them if 2014 proves to be equally as dry — or worse. State Ag Continued on page 12

Legislature Adjourns for 2013; AB 145 (Perea), Water Bond Bills Remain in Senate Committees The Legislature adjourned the first year of the 2013-’14 session early Sept. 13 without passing bills that would have modified the 2014 water bond and transferred the state’s drinking water program to the State Water Resources Control Board. As the first year of the session gaveled down, AB 145 (Perea) remained in the Senate Appropriations Committee as a two-year bill. The ACWA-opposed measure, which proposed to transfer the state’s entire drinking water program from the Department of Public Health to the State Board, was placed on the suspense file Aug. 30, but discussions

Executive Director’s Column on 2013 Legislative Session

Fracking Legislation Clears Assembly Floor

continued between the author and Senate leadership. On Sept. 6, Perea amended AB 1393, which previously dealt with the workers’ compensation program, to include language that would have transferred just the administration of the state’s Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to the State Board. ACWA and its coalition partners had suggested this solution since February as a middle ground alternative to transferring the entire drinking water program, as proposed in AB 145. Legislature Continued on page 4

Save Our Water Features New Water-Wise Gardens

2013 WRRDA Bill Introduced in Congress

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95814-3512 Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA. POSTMASTER: send address changes and subscription requests to ACWA News, 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3514 Phone: 916.441.4545 Fax: 916.561.7124 Website: acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs and Operations Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Matt Williams Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach & Social Media Specialist Ellen Martin Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030 Print & Digital

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2 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 41 No. 9

Executive Director’s Column

By Timothy Quinn

First Half of 2013-’14 Legislative Session Yields Some Progress on Water Bond; Dialog to Continue The Legislature wrapped up its work for 2013 in the early hours of Sept. 13, capping a legislative year that saw ACWA and its coalition partners play an effective role on legislation that could have significant impacts on its member agencies. While ACWA spent significant time and energy opposing a move to transfer the state’s entire drinking water program to the State Water Resources Control Board (AB 145) and worked on many other bills, including California Environmental Quality Act reform, we also played a leadership role in advancing the dialog on the 2014 water bond. There are now three distinct proposals on the table for serious discussion in 2014 and in the months before the Legislature convenes in January. ACWA was out of the gate this spring with a proposal for an $8.2 billion bond that has been well received in meetings with legislators, the water community and other stakeholders. Our proposal, based on a decision by the ACWA’s Board of Directors earlier this year to prioritize funding for elements of statewide importance, would fund key priorities such as water storage and Delta ecosystem restoration. It would also provide assistance for disadvantaged communities, substantial support for local resources development and funding for water recycling / conservation and groundwater cleanup. ACWA made the case throughout the year that a 2014 water bond is critical to California’s water supply future. We simply must invest in our statewide water supply infrastructure now if we want to deliver high quality, reliable water to communities, farms and businesses in the coming years. The public financing provided by a water bond also is key to incentivizing local projects that advance statewide water priorities. As we have seen from past bond measures, these investments leverage billions of dollars

in matching local and regional funds to create real projects that to date have enhanced California’s water supply by more than 2 million acre-feet annually. In the latter part of 2013 session, an Assembly working group put its framework for a 2014 water bond on the table with language that was later amended into AB 1331 by Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). The measure proposes a $6.5 billion bond that would fund clean and safe drinking water projects; protection of rivers, lakes, streams and watersheds; climate change preparedness for regional water security (i.e., Integrated Regional Water Management); Delta sustainability; and water storage for climate change. On the Senate side, Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) amended her SB 42 on Sept. 11 to propose a $6.475 billion bond measure that would fund similar programs. Both measures will be in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee when the Legislature reconvenes in January. That committee will join with the Senate Environmental Quality Committee to hold a joint interim hearing on the 2014 water bond on Sept. 24. ACWA’s core philosophy is that we must invest in our statewide system to accomplish the coequal goals. We must move forward with comprehensive solutions, even if it means threading our way through tough decisions on controversial issues. We know from opinion polling over the years that Californians understand our water situation is serious and continue to support investments in our water system. They get the fact that the longer we put these investments off, the more expensive they become. We look forward to engaging as the water bond discussion continues in the coming months.

ACWA Conference & Exhibition

ACWA Goes “All In” for 2013 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Los Angeles Water industry professionals from across California will meet Dec. 3-6 amid the bright lights of downtown Los Angeles to discuss water issues critical to the state’s present and future.

sessions to choose from — all designed to educate and inform ACWA members on the most important issues in California water today.

A full slate of keynote speeches, educational sessions, town hall forums, committee meetings and networking events is planned for the 2013 ACWA Fall Conference & Exhibition, themed “All In for California Water,” at the JW Marriott hotel in the LA Live entertainment complex.

Statewide issue forum topics include climate change, the water/energy nexus and groundwater regulation. Water Industry Trends programs include topics such as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, fracking, agency transparency, the latest developments on chromium-6 regulation, and how to plan for what could be a dry 2014.

Author Michael J. McGuire, who wrote a book on the American public water system’s conquest over waterborne diseases, will deliver the keynote address at the Thursday luncheon. McGuire’s talk, titled “Two Guys and a Bucket of Bleach,” will examine how we got where we are today in the country’s efforts to achieve clean water. He will reference his book, “The Chlorine Revolution: Water Disinfection and the Fight to Save Lives.” The book, published in 2013 by the American Water Works Association, chronicles the partnership between a physician and an engineer during the turn of the 20th century and their plan to build and operate the first large-scale drinking water disinfection system in the United States. High-level state and federal leaders also are invited to give keynote speeches. During conference week, there will be more than 90 meeting and program

Several programs are being planned for professionals specializing in law, finance and human resources. Sessions on the Quantification Settlement Agreement and the Colorado River, an update on the Affordable Care Act, and how pension reform will impact water agencies’ business rules are being planned, among many others. The conference also will feature a full slate of exhibitors in the conference exhibition hall. Several networking activities and social events also are planned, such as lunches and dinners, and dessert breaks. All this and much more will occur at LA Live, a new conference venue for ACWA. The one-of-a-kind sports, entertainment and residential district in downtown Los Angeles is adjacent

to Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. LA Live offers an array of restaurant and dining options, as well as attractions such as the Nokia Theater and Plaza, Grammy Museum, the ESPN Zone and broadcast studios. Several awards will be presented during the 2013 Fall Conference & Exhibition: the Huell Howser Best in Blue Award, the Emissary Award, the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship, and Outreach Awards. Look for the ACWA conference brochure to arrive in the mail around the first week of October. You can also visit www.acwa.com and click on the blue button on the left side of the home page for more information and to register.

ACWA Committee Process Now Under Way for 2014-’15 Term The end of the current ACWA two-year committee term is fast approaching, and the process to reconstitute all committees for the 2014-’15 term has begun.

serve on a committee by Friday, Sept. 30. Instructions and information, including the committee consideration form, has been sent to all member agency general managers and board presidents.

ACWA is calling for all interested members to submit their requests to

The committee appointment information also is available at www.

acwa.com/content/committeeappointment-process. As a reminder, all current committee members MUST submit consideration forms by Sept. 30 to be considered for reappointment for the next two-year term. September 20, 2013 • 3

State RElations

Salton Sea Governance Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk Legislation that would tweak the governance structure for developing a comprehensive restoration plan for the Salton Sea has advanced to the governor’s desk. Sponsored by Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), AB 71 would direct the California Natural Resources Agency to lead restoration efforts, in consultation with the Salton Sea Authority. The ACWA-supported bill also would authorize the Authority, which includes ACWA member agencies such as Imperial Irrigation District and Coachella Valley Water District, to evaluate short- and long-term funding opportunities for the sea. According to Pérez, the legislation would ensure local participation and is intended to fill the void left by the disbanded Salton Sea Restoration

Council, which was created via legislation in 2010 but never met. The council was eliminated last year.

Prior to the council, the Natural Resources Agency was the lead agency on Salton Sea Restoration, in cooperation with the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Board and other state agencies. Identifying and enacting a plan to save the sea has proved elusive for the past 10 years, despite deteriorating conditions there. The shrinking sea was once a popular destination for sport fishing, but tilapia is the only species that survives because of increasing salinity in the water. The region also fears dust storms that harm air quality will occur as the water level drops and more shoreline is exposed. The sea also is an important stop for migrating birds.

Officials have hosted a series of local meetings, oversight hearings and tours concerning the sea during the last several months. Interest grew after a strong rotten-egg odor emanated from the sea a year ago and swept over Southern California. AB 71 was part of a bill package Pérez introduced in January to address the Salton Sea’s future.

Legislature Continued from page 1

Ultimately, AB 1393 did not advance during the last week of session and is now a two-year bill. Discussion on the issues will continue in 2014. ACWA and its coalition partners maintained throughout the 2013 session that solutions are needed to assist disadvantaged communities that do not have sustainable supplies of safe drinking water. The association argued, however, that moving the state’s entire drinking water program to the State Board as proposed by AB 145 was not the right solution and would in fact undermine the program’s focus on public health, disrupt key drinking water program functions and force the program to compete with other critical priorities before the State Board. ACWA and the coalition consistently called for AB 145 to be amended to focus on improving management of the SRF and suggested that transferring just the administration of the SRF to the State Board — while leaving the rest of the drinking water program at CDPH — would be a more targeted solution. 4 • ACWA NEWS

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Water Bond Bills Meanwhile on the water bond front, two bills that would repeal the existing 2014 bond and place a modified measure on the November 2014 ballot were amended but not taken up for a vote before lawmakers adjourned. As amended Sept. 11, Assembly Bill 1331 by Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) proposes a $6.5 billion bond that would be known as the Climate Change Response for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2014. The proposed bond, based on a framework developed by a working group of Assembly Democrats headed by Rendon, would fund clean and safe drinking water projects; protection of rivers, lakes, streams and watersheds; climate change preparedness for regional water security; Delta sustainability; and water storage for climate change. On the Senate side, SB 42 by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) as amended Sept. 11 proposes a $6.475 billion water bond for the 2014 ballot that would be known as the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality

and Flood Protection Act of 2014 and would fund similar programs. AB 1331 and SB 42 are currently in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. A joint informational hearing on the water bond has been set for Sept. 24 in in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

ACWA’s Position on the 2014 Water Bond ACWA’s Board of Directors has directed staff to support modifications to the existing 2014 water bond to protect key priority areas and reduce its size. As a statewide organization, ACWA is prioritizing funding for elements that have statewide importance, including water storage and Delta ecosystem restoration. ACWA is also prioritizing funding for disadvantaged communities that do not have safe drinking water. More on ACWA’s position is available http://www.acwa.com/spotlight/2014water-bond.

State rElations

Legislation Setting Rules for Fracking Goes to Governor A bill that would impose California’s first regulations on fracking has been sent to Gov. Jerry Brown after clearing the Assembly on Sept. 11. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” involves injecting a mix of water, sand and chemicals underground through a well at high pressure so that rocks split, allowing extraction of oil or natural gas. A similar method called “acidizing” dissolves rock to reach pockets of petroleum. SB 4, sponsored by State Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), would set rules and regulations for both fracking and acidizing. Brown publicly endorsed SB 4 this week and is expected to sign the legislation. The bill would enact, by 2015, a regulatory framework made up of several components, including: • Requiring well operators to obtain permits from the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) in advance of any “well stimulation” treatment such as fracking or acidizing. • Enabling owners of property near fracked wells to receive notice of fracking activities and the ability to request water quality sampling. • Tasking DOGGR and other appropriate state agencies with

amending rules and regulations concerning the construction of wells and well casings. • Requiring DOGGR to develop and maintain a publicly available database where fracking activity in California can be tracked transparently. • Allowing well operators to keep confidential their “trade secret” chemical mixtures used for fracking, but requiring their disclosure to DOGGR and as necessary to health professionals. • Requiring the Natural Resources Agency to complete a study of the possible hazards and risks of fracking. • Authorizing civil penalties of between $10,000 to $25,000 per day against violaters of the well stimulation requirements. Environmentalists and the oil industry engaged in heated debate about the safety of fracking during this year’s legislative session. State lawmakers held hearings on possible impacts to water quality as the California Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) began late last year to consider how fracking would be regulated. Critics contend that fracking chemicals can leach into groundwater and pollute drinking water sources, and some believe that the injection of high-pressure fluids

can even cause flurries of earthquakes. Supporters, meanwhile, say that fracking could be an economic boon for the state if the drilling process can tap into the Monterey Shale, an expansive rock formation in the San Joaquin Valley believed to contain a lucrative oil reserve. “There are still many unanswered questions about the use and impacts of fracking and acidizing, and it is in the interest of all Californians to monitor and regulate these practices,” Pavley said in a statement released Sept. 11 after the Assembly voted 48-17 in favor of SB 4. The state Senate later concurred.

CEQA Modernization Bill Put on Hold; Work to Resume in 2014 State Senate Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has decided to set aside his attempt at reforming the four-decade-old California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). But work on SB 731 will resume in 2014. Steinberg shelved his environmental reform bill for the year after evening discussions with the governor, The Sacramento Bee reported Sept. 11. SB

731 was aimed at streamlining various parts of CEQA, particularly for transit areas and infill sites that already have been developed. ACWA supports CEQA modernization in concept but took an “oppose unless amended” position on SB 731 because of concerns the legislation would not streamline the CEQA process for water agencies and could make compliance more difficult.

According to published reports, Steinberg plans to include a few provisions from SB 731 pertaining to traffic calculations in another piece of legislation (SB 743) aimed at streamlining the CEQA process for a proposed new downtown arena in Sacramento. SB 731 is now designated a two-year bill, meaning work on CEQA reform will continue in 2014.

September 20, 2013 • 5

Save OUr Water

These water-wise gardens feature drought tolerant plants, drip irrigation and a variety of water-efficient plants, mulch and hardscape. One homeowner said she drew inspiration for her water-wise garden from French gardens she toured, particularly the gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny.

Save Our Water Features New Water-Wise Gardens Around California The Save Our Water program traversed California again this summer to photograph water-wise gardens and profile their water-saving owners as part of the Real People, Real Savings campaign.

a garden designer to help with the layout and plant selection. Latha added personal touches, like the beautiful swings of reclaimed wood that hang with golden chains brought back from India.

The team traveled to Folsom, Lincoln, Roseville, Sacramento, Irvine, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Murrieta and Alta Loma to visit homeowners, many of whom were referred by ACWA member agencies.

Today, Latha has beautiful, water-wise landscaping that fits both her home and her lifestyle. “My criteria for changing the yard was that it had to be drought tolerant plants — I didn’t want to bring anything that was not native to this part of the country,” says Latha. She maintains it herself, pulling the weeds and relying on drip irrigation to give her plants the appropriate amount of water. Latha encourages other Californians who may be interested in switching to a water-wise landscape to “go for it.” From Latha’s perspective, water-wise landscapes are not only easier to maintain, but also better for the environment and for the state.

Four of these water-saving Californians are featured below. Visit the Save Our Water website — www.saveourh2o.org — for more photos and videos. Watch for additional profiles of our new “real people” in upcoming issues of ACWA News.

Latha Sarakki Irvine Ranch Water District As an immigrant from India, Latha Sarakki comes from a country where running water can be scarce. She thinks many people in her new country waste water and often take it for granted. Because so much water is used on outdoor landscaping, Latha decided to do her part and save water by planting a water-wise garden in the front and back of her Irvine home. She began by hiring 6 • ACWA NEWS

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Merrily Whiteside City of Roseville Merrily Whiteside is a long-term Californian who is conscious of the need to save water. She was motivated to take the lawn out of her backyard because she felt it was requiring too much water. She enlisted the help of a landscape designer friend to help her design her new lawn-

free backyard. A professional contractor installed the new landscape, which includes trees, a variety water-efficient plants, mulch and hardscape. “I just love to come out and sit and look at it,” says Merrily. “It’s got color, it’s got definition, it’s got depth, it’s got height…it’s a very peaceful place to be.”

Abbie Flanagan & Brigette Patterson Western Municipal Water District Abbie Flanagan and Brigette Patterson are both school teachers who have owned their home in Riverside for 15 years. After struggling with what they called “green weeds,” they decided to remove the turf in their front yard and replace it with a wide, welcoming walkway surrounded by water-wise plants and trees. Western Municipal Water District’s rebate program helped the couple afford the project, providing them with rebates for removing inefficient sprinklers and the purchase of water-wise plants and drip irrigation. They are thrilled with their front yard’s makeover. “I prefer this over lawn,” says Brigette. “I enjoy gardening, and this is much more hands-on.” Continued on page 7

Save Our Water Continued from page 6

Their neighbors often stop and compliment their home’s new look. They want to know more about it and find out how they might to the same thing at home. The women really enjoy the diversity of the plants and how often they see hummingbirds, bees and other wildlife in the front yard. “We would never sit on our porch before we had it,” laughs Abbie. “We wouldn’t sit and watch our weeds grow. It wasn’t interesting.”

Jennifer Hageman City of Folsom After more than a decade of living with the traditional lawn and shrub landscaping at her Folsom yard, Jennifer traveled to France and came home inspired to change the design of her home’s landscaping. She was inspired by the different “rooms” in many of the French gardens she toured, particularly the gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny. Today, Jennifer’s backyard has

several different areas, all of which use minimal amounts of water. “The neighbors love our front yard and they comment on the different times of the year and the different colors,” says Jennifer. “And that is the other advantage of having a yard like this as opposed to lawn. With a lawn, it is static. But with a yard such as this, every week is different.” Jennifer’s front yard features a dry creek bed and a variety of water-wise plants. In her backyard, she has an assortment of trees and plants to give her landscape color and texture. She also has a vegetable garden in raised beds. Drip irrigation throughout her landscaping means that she can make sure that each plant gets the proper amount of water without wasting it on hardscape or weeds. Jennifer is delighted with her new landscaping. She finds it relaxing: “What I like most, and enjoy most, about this yard is coming out in the morning with a cup of coffee and kind of wandering around and taking care of the little things that need to be done.” See more profiles at www.saveourh2o. org.

LADWP and Imperial Irrigation District Go Geothermal In another step toward creating a clean energy future for Southern California, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) have entered a decade-long purchase agreement for renewable geothermal power that will provide enough clean energy to serve 55,000 homes. The 10-year power purchase agreement is with Southern California Public Power Authority for an average of a total of 46 megawatts of geothermal energy from the Heber-1 Geothermal power plant in Heber, Calif., of which LAWDP will receive 34 megawatts and IID will receive 12.

“By integrating our indigenous resources, the district is able to continue integrating renewable energy into its portfolio while, at the same time, supporting sustainability and increasing jobs in the Imperial Valley,” said Carl Stills, IDD interim energy manager. “We are thrilled to have contracted our first long-term geothermal project enabling the supply of electricity from a local resource.” IID’s current renewable resource mix is 20.4%. This additional geothermal power will increase IID’s mix to approximately 25%. California law stipulates utilities must work to meet renewable

portfolio standards in three stages: 20% by 2013, 25% by 2016 and 33 percent by 2020. LADWP achieved 20% renewables in 2010, and is on track to meet the other two benchmarks on time. “Unlike wind and solar, which are intermittent renewable resources that do not generate power continuously, a geothermal plant is constantly producing energy so we can rely on it for base-load power,” LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols said. “This makes it an ideal addition to our renewable energy portfolio as part of our replacement of coal power.”

September 20, 2013 • 7

Federal Update

Bipartisan 2013 WRRDA Legislation Introduced in Congress House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members who crafted the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 say the legislation would create jobs, provide flood protection and cut the time it takes to study and approve big projects critical for the nation’s harbors and inland waterways. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced the latest version of the WRRDA legislation at a Sept. 11 press conference. Among many functions, WRRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ key missions and projects. Historically Congress has passed a WRRDA bill every two years, but the last one was signed into law in 2007. The bill’s sponsors say that unlike previous years, WRRDA 2013 contains no earmarks and is aimed at eliminating a backlog of projects. The bill would stipulate that studies take no more than three years and cost a maximum of $3 million. “We have been literally studying infrastructure projects to death,” said U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), the Water

Resources and Environment Subcommittee chairman. “While it once took the Corps three to five years to complete a study, it has become normal for this process to take 10 to 15 years. WRRDA cuts the red tape, streamlines reviews, and accelerates the lengthy process, saving us precious time and money and allowing infrastructure improvements to move forward.” Gibbs said it’s shocking to him how much it costs to move freight on the nation’s waterways. “I can’t stress enough the reforms in this bill — how it moves us forward to bring down the cost,” Gibbs said. The WRRDA bill also would streamline environmental reviews, deauthorize $12 billion worth of inactive projects, create sunset dates for newly authorized projects, reform the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and create a new Water Infrastructure Public Private Partnership Program. Gibbs was joined at the press conference by Transportation and Infrastruc-

ture Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Tim Bishop (D-NY). At many points, they called WRRDA 2013 a bipartisan bill. “When we invest in our nation’s infrastructure, everybody wins. Workers win because they have jobs to go to, the environment wins and the economy wins. This bill will do that,” Bishop said at the press conference Sept. 11. WRRDA also would authorize 23 projects in the U.S. that already have been reviewed and recommended by the Army Corps, including levee improvements for the Sacramento area. Consequently, U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-06) said she strongly supports the WRRDA bill. “Congress has not passed a WRRDA bill since 2007. It is time to fix and strengthen America’s levees. We cannot let this important legislative effort linger any longer,” Matsui said in a statement.

Every Drop Counts: Progress Toward a National Water Census The U.S. Geological Survey led a briefing to Congress on Sept. 13 featuring water stakeholders from around the country who spoke about the vital need for the National Water Census called for by the SECURE Water Act of 2009. “As competition for water grows — for irrigation of crops, for the production of energy, for use by cities and communities, and for the environment — the need for information and tools to aid water-resource managers also grows,” said Tony Willardson, executive director, Western States Water Council. A Water Census is a complex undertaking, which points to why national water availability and use have not been comprehensively assessed in more than 35 years. Since then, competition for water resources has increased greatly and, in addition to human use, considerably 8 • ACWA NEWS

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more importance is now attached to the availability of water for environmental and ecosystem needs. The Water Census is part of an overarching Department of the Interior (DOI) initiative known as WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow). Through WaterSMART, the department is working to achieve a sustainable water strategy to help meet the nation’s water needs. One of the geographic focus areas of the Water Census is the drainage basin of the Colorado River, which covers parts of seven states, delivers water to more than 30 million people, irrigates nearly 4 million acres of cropland in the U.S. and Mexico, and supplies hydropower plants that annually generate more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours. Increasing population, decreasing stream flows,

and the uncertain effects of a changing climate amplify the need for an improved understanding of water use and water availability in this crucial watershed.

Colorado River. Photo credit Kyrie Fry, USGS

Bay Planning Coalition Sponsors Day-Long Summit on Energy and Water Nexus The interplay between two critical resources — water and energy — was examined in-depth Sept. 12 at a daylong summit in San Francisco sponsored by the Bay Planning Coalition. Held at the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, the event, titled “Energy and Water Nexus Summit 2,” featured an array of speakers, many of whom addressed how conserving one resource — either water or energy — conserves the other resource. Bay Planning Coalition Executive Director John Coleman — who also is vice president of ACWA — moderated the event and highlighted the importance of spreading the word about the connection between water and energy use. “In order to maintain our vibrant economy and culture and attract new businesses and innovators, a reliable, accessible and affordable supply of water and energy must be available. The ‘Energy and Water Nexus Summit 2’ strives to bring diverse viewpoints and areas of expertise to the table to ask the tough questions about the future of water and energy in our region, state and country,” said Coleman. Panels at the event ranged from discussions on energy development, water and energy needs for agricultural production and water supply and demand. ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn participated in a panel discussion on the 2014 water bond and its implications for conveyance, storage and conservation of water. Quinn highlighted the bond’s importance for helping to meet the coequal goals of habitat restoration and water supply reliability. He added

that the current $11.14 billion bond slated for the November 2014 ballot will need to be pared down in order to be successful with the voters, but its funding for water storage projects in particular needs to be protected. “An ACWA Board priority is to protect the storage number,” Quinn said. Quinn also called the state’s water infrastructure needs “one of the most important infrastructure challenges facing the California economy today.” Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, spoke during the summit’s luncheon and said that as a state we’ve been “naïve” not to stress the importance of the water and energy connection. “Water and energy are intrinsically linked,” said Marcus. Several speakers at the event referenced how the energy used to treat and transport water amounts to 19% of all energy used in the state. Ned Spang, program manager for the Center for Water-Energy Efficiency at UC Davis, said different types of water use carry different energy “loads.” For instance, indoor water requires more energy because it must be treated before and after it leaves the home. Energy that is pumped into homes in the Berkeley Hills uses more energy than water delivered to homes in the flat lands of Berkeley, simply because it requires less energy to move water to flat land. Nearly all of the speakers stressed the importance of educating the public about how saving water actually saves energy.

Region Elections in Progress for 2014-’15, Ballots Due Sept. 30 Region election ballots have been emailed to ACWA member agency general managers and presidents. The due date to return the completed ballots is Sept. 30, 2013. Each ballot contains the slate recommended by the region nominating committee, as well as qualified individual candidates and voting instructions. Each agency is entitled to cast only one vote for its region, and each agency must have an authorized person sign the ballot. The chair and vice chair of each region will serve on ACWA’s Board of Directors for the next two-year term of office, Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2015. The newly elected chair and vice chair will make the region’s committee appointment recommendations to the ACWA president for the 2014-2015 term. The chair or vice chair also serve on the ACWA Finance Committee. The region board members are elected to represent the issues, concerns and needs of your region. For more information about the region election process, please log on to www.acwa.com and click on the ACWA Region Elections button or contact your regional affairs representative. If you have questions, please contact Marcia Wulff at marciaw@acwa.com or Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com, or call (916) 441-4545.

“If you don’t use that water, you save that energy,” said Spang. Information on the summit is available at http://bayplanningcoalition. org/2013/06/energy-and-water-nexussummit-2/.

September 20, 2013 • 9

Scholarship

ACWA’s Inaugural Steve Hall Scholarship Recipient Checks In For Mike Kiparsky, receiving the Stephen K. Hall Water Law and Policy Scholarship in 2008 proved to be a turning point in his career. In addition to the much-needed financial help the $7,000 scholarship offered, the honor of being selected for the award — particularly as its first recipient — confirmed for him that he was on the right career path.

he was awarded the scholarship. A Ph.D. candidate in the Energy and Resources Group (ERG) at UC Berkeley, Kiparsky was at that time focusing on the interface between science and water policy, something he still examines in his role at the Wheeler Institute. Prior to receiving the award, Kiparsky worked at the CALFED Science Program, the Pacific Institute and the California Public Utilities Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Brown University.

“Although the financial support was very much appreciated, equally important, although less tangible, was the recognition that I was pointing myself in a direction that was valuable to an organization such as ACWA that was so central to what I was focusing on for my career,” Kiparsky said recently in a phone interview.

After completing his Ph.D. in 2010, Kiparsky, who spent much of his childhood in the Palo Alto area, moved with his family to Idaho to join the faculty at the University of Idaho where he conducted research on water governance, climate change adaptation and the interface between science and policy.

The award also helped to propel Kiparsky forward to land where he is now – associate director of the new UC Berkeley Wheeler Institute for Water Law & Policy, a new initiative of the Berkeley School of Law that is focused on California water issues.

Kiparsky is quick to point out the Steve Hall Scholarship — named after ACWA’s former executive director from 1993 to 2007, who died in 2010 — provides more than just financial assistance. Kiparsky said receiving the award helped him network with prominent people in the water field, whom he met at the 2008 ACWA Fall Conference where he was formally honored with the award.

“I believe the fact that I received the scholarship from ACWA may have been noticed by the hiring committee,” OFFICE SPACE FOR “It LEASE was great to attend the ACWA Kiparsky, 42, says of landing his current job in 2012 when the new water institute conference as a scholarship recipient,” said Kiparsky. “Being there in that capacwas founded. ity gave me license to introduce myself Kiparsky already was well on his to water professionals, some of whom I way to a career in water policy when

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had known by reputation or met for the first time at conference. It is great for any student and was terrific for me.” Other scholarship recipients over the past five years are: Olivia Odom, a law student at the UC Berkeley School of Law who also earned a master’s degree in water resources policy; Morgan Levy, a master’s student in UC Berkeley’s Energy and Resources Group; Aastha Madaan, a law student at Whittier Law School; Brian Chaffin, a doctoral student in water resources at the University of Idaho who planned to work in water management in California and the West; and this year’s winner, Adam Jorge, a master’s student in environmental science and management at UC Santa Barbara. The Steve Hall Water Law and Policy Scholarship was started in 2007 (and first awarded in 2008) as a way to both honor Steve Hall and encourage the academic endeavors of graduate students majoring in law, policy or public administration with a focus on California water resources. For Mike Kiparsky, the award was a 910ACWA. K STREET boost for which he thanks

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Newswatch

Coordinated Water and Energy Programs Have Room to Grow Coordinating water and energy efficiency programs can yield big savings because about one-fifth of electricity use in California is related to water. But these dual programs are still fairly uncommon and are easier said than done. Despite the numerous challenges that are involved, several water agencies in the state have successfully implemented such joint efforts for their internal operations or their customers, according to a new report released Sept. 5. The Pacific Institute’s new research paper, titled Water-Energy Synergies: Coordinating Efficiency Programs in California, identifies the most prevalent barriers to coordinating water and energy programs, features case studies in California that are worth emulating, and presents a slate of recommendations for promoting and enacting coordinated water-energy programs. The Institute’s survey of water and energy managers from across the state identified the most common barriers: limited or inconsistent funding in the water sector, not enough staff time, few mechanisms for cost recovery, and a lack of established relationships between potential energy and water partners.

Programs are currently in place that show these obstacles can be knocked down, the report says. For example, Pacific Gas & Electric is partnering with more than two dozen Bay Area water utilities on a rebate program for high-efficiency clothes washers. In another example, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Gas Co. are jointly implementing water and energy efficiency programs in their shared services areas. San Diego County Water Authority and San Diego Gas & Electric are working together on their WaterSmart Landscape Efficiency Program.

ister these efforts, leveraging statewide energy efficiency programs that already are in place, and encouraging state agencies to develop guidelines for water and energy savings by project partners. ACWA partnered with the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the California Department of Water Resources, and the Governor’s Office to coordinate a statewide education and outreach program this summer called Save Water and Energy This Summer. For more information about this program, go to acwa.com.

“Energy savings, and the associated cost savings, can make many water-efficiency measures cost effective,” said Kristina Donnelly, co-author of the report. “Some water and energy utilities have already been resourceful and innovative in bringing programs to fruition. Nearly everyone we interviewed about such programs was passionate about developing these partnerships and keen to do more.” The Pacific Institute’s recommendations for spurring coordinated waterenergy programs include: having one staff person as the lead on pursuing and coordinating program opportunities, evaluating if a third party should admin-

CDFA Launches First-of-its-Kind Ecosystem Services Database The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) on Sept. 13 launched an Ecosystem Services Database, which allows users to access a database of nearly 400 farms and ranches in California and to peruse the environmental stewardship and conservation practices of those enterprises.

stewardship. Some of the benefits include wildlife habitat, renewable energy use and production soil enrichment, water conservation and other practices.

and ranchers provide us with wildlife and pollinator habitat, contribute to clean water and air, provide recreational and tourism connections, and much more.”

The database, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, allows users to run queries by crop type, county, ecosystem service benefits and others aspects. Ecosystem services are defined by the CDFA as the benefits that some farming and ranching practices bring to the environment through conservation and

An interactive map allows users to view where the services are taking place. The database is available at http://apps.cdfa. ca.gov/EcosystemServices.

A list of ecosystem service benefits in agriculture can be found at http://www. cdfa.ca.gov/EnvironmentalStewardship/ EcosystemServices.html

“California’s working farms and ranches are an important part of our natural landscape,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said in a prepared statement. “The commitment to ecosystem services demonstrates clearly that beyond the productivity of fields and pastures, resource management decisions by farmers

CDFG officials said in a press release that the purpose of the database is to help department officials discuss the multiple benefits provided by California agriculture. The database also will allow department staff to assist growers, ranchers and stakeholders who want to learn more about ecosystem services. September 20, 2013 • 11

Newswatch State Ag Continued from page 1

Speakers suggested water management improvements ranging from expedited water transfers to improvements in state water conveyance systems. ACWA President Randy Record outlined how ACWA and a broad array of water interests are working to craft a Statewide Water Action Plan (SWAP) to prioritize water supply improvements. The goal of the SWAP is to produce a succinct plan with recommendations to the Governor for prioritizing specific near-term actions that can be broadly supported by the water community and can serve as a sustainable path forward in California. “There is a need for statewide solutions,” Record said. ”Delta solutions are more likely to succeed as part of a statewide action plan.” Key elements of the SWAP, which is expected to be completed in late September, include supporting and

incentivizing local and regional groundwater management, water bond funding for the public benefit of surface and groundwater storage and streamlining the approval process for water transfers. “We’ve had decades of stalemate, but this is the time for opportunity,” said Record. “I want people to look back on this era and say — ‘Those guys had some challenges, but they came together and got things done.’” Mike Wade, of the California Farm Water Coalition, discussed how growers have invested heavily in recent years in water use efficiency changes. But even with those changes, the impacts of water cutbacks — whether due to drought or pumping restrictions — are severe not just for growers, but for the state’s economy. “When we think about water supply reliability for agriculture, we need to

think of the jobs that go beyond the farm,” Wade added. Several speakers expressed frustration with fisheries agencies over biological opinions calling for pumping restrictions to help fish species. They said some species are still in decline despite those pumping restrictions. “We’ve got a regulatory regime that is attempting to accomplish one thing and it is failing,” said Jason Peltier, of Westlands Water District. Jeanine Jones, of the Department of Water Resources, said smaller water systems in the state have been hit harder by the two recent dry years because they tend not to have access to a diversity of water supplies. She said the state reservoirs have helped to offset the lack of rainfall, but cannot continue to do so. “What we have in the checking account (reservoirs) is depleted,” she said.

Region 9 Takes a Look at Seven Oaks Dam During a day-long program Sept. 13 hosted by East Valley Water District, ACWA Region 9 toured the inside and outside of Seven Oaks Dam, which provides flood protection on the Santa Ana River. Participants also were updated on habitat conservation plans and issues surrounding the Santa Ana Sucker fish, and listened to a panel on emergency management.

12 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 41 No. 9

Newswatch

USDA Designates Most of California a Drought Disaster Area Nearly all farmers and ranchers in California are now eligible to apply for low-interest emergency loans because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared the state a drought disaster area.

conditions. Many ranchers are buying extra feed for livestock to compensate for meager grass growth, and some farmers are fallowing land to cope with the increasing problem of water shortages.

Agricultural operators in all California counties except for San Francisco can now apply for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The maximum loan amount is $500,000. For application deadlines and to locate an FSA office, go to fsa.usda.gov/ca.

On Aug. 22, USDA designated 24 more counties in California as primary disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

The state’s agricultural industry is in a bind because of this year’s very dry

“Just about everyone in California agriculture has been negatively affected by drought this year,” said Val Dolcini, Farm Service Agency state executive director, in an announcement about the

emergency loans. “California’s diverse farmers and ranchers of all sizes and backgrounds have experienced drought conditions and water shortages and may find help at FSA offices.”

Salmon Continue to Thrive in Flooded Rice Fields, Experiment Shows A multi-year experiment near Sacramento is shedding more light on how inundated rice fields can be a productive environment for rearing salmon.

Last year researchers from the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis shared results showing that juvenile Chinook salmon grow well in the flooded flatlands of the Yolo Bypass — providing a manmade alternative for wetland habitat that’s important for the salmon’s life cycle. The research continued for a second year in work done in the spring. The researchers expanded the project’s scope at the Knaggs Ranch property at the bypass’s northern end, focusing on the aquatic food web and how changes in the field’s composition can affect fish behavior and growth. Carson Jeffres, a researcher with the Center for Watershed Sciences, discussed the preliminary findings from the 2013 experiment during a presentation at the Cal/EPA headquarters building in Sacramento on Monday, Sept. 9. The research confirmed that the salmon fry grow rapidly in the flooded fields, but some external factors appear to have had a big impact on the results. Jeffres said researchers were surprised to find that the juvenile salmon showed little preference for the type of field they

lived in, whether in water on bulldozed ground or within rice “stubble” left over after a harvest. Instead, it appears that fish showed preference depending on the direction of water flow, even though the flow was very subtle in the shallow water. Researchers plan to account for the flow in future experiments, Jeffres said.

The study found an abundant food source of microscopic bugs for the fish, particularly in the fallow and stubble field types. The rice fields were so filled with cladocerans — millimeter-sized invertebrates — that the water almost was soupy with them, Jeffres said. The guts of the salmon were filled with the cladocerans, which helped them put on weight. “You’re packing their lunch for their trip out into the ocean,” Jeffres explained. The results suggest that water must be left on the field for at least two weeks before benefits in the food chain occur for the salmon, he added. The growing salmon, in turn, were a popular food source for egrets and other birds that frequent the bypass. Jeffres said the dry water year made the experiment area the only watering hole around when everywhere else dried up early in the spring. Dozens of birds at a time joined the feast. Only 8% of the salmon of the thousands of fish that were swimming

The Yolo Bypass. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

freely survived. Mortality rates were higher in pens contained at the site. The fish that survived grew as much as 1.5 mm per day, which Jeffres said is exceptional and at some of the fastest freshwater rates ever recorded in California. This year’s experiment seems to have done little to discourage the idea that a flooded rice field could be a surrogate for a wetland. “In a lot of ways a rice field functions as a wetland for at least part of the year,” Jeffres said. In 2014, Jeffres said the researchers plan to study how the predation can be controlled by altering the water depth in the fields. They also plan to look at the timing of when a juvenile salmon will leave the fields voluntarily and begin migrating toward the ocean. September 20, 2013 • 13

People news / Classifieds

Public Agency Members Metropolitan Water District Michael T. Hogan, former chair of the San Diego County Water Authority, has joined the 37-member board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Hogan, of Solana Beach, still serves as an officer County Water Authority Board of Directors and is also on the board of the Santa Fe Irrigation District, where he is chair of the district’s executive committee. He replaces Doug Wilson on the MWD’s governing body.

Modesto Irrigation District Roger VanHoy has been named the general manager of the Modesto Irrigation District after serving in the interim role the past seven months. VanHoy had been MID’s assistant general manager for electrical resources since 1993 and has worked for the district for 23 years. He started his career as a senior planning engineer and was later promoted to supervising engineer. He also worked for the city of Santa Clara before joining MID. As the assistant GM for electrical resources, VanHoy was responsible for planning and acquiring a power supply and transmission access, managing MID’s power plants, and working with the California Independent System Operator and Pacific Gas & Electric Company to schedule power through California’s electric grid. VanHoy holds a degree in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is a registered professional engineer and licensed electrical contractor in California. He succeeds Allen Short, who left the district late last year after serving as GM for 19 years. 14 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 41 No. 9

Gladbach Receives ‘Outstanding Commissioner’ Award From Calafco Former ACWA President Jerry Gladbach, a member of the board of directors of the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO), was awarded on Aug. 26 the 2013 Outstanding Commissioner Award by CALAFCO for his service as commissioner on the Los Angeles LAFCO. The Outstanding Commissioner Award is presented to a commissioner who performed extraordinary service to his or her local commission. Gladbach was elected to the Los Angeles LAFCO in 2002 as a special district representative. He has served as commission chairperson since 2006. According to the Los Angeles LAFCO, Gladbach recently chaired several emotionally-charged public meetings concerning a proposed cityhood and worked diligently so that both sides of the issue could be heard. Gladbach served as ACWA president

from 2004-2005. A resident of Valencia, Gladbach also serves as an elected member of the Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) Board of Directors. “Chairman Gladbach’s many years of dedicated leadership, sound judgment and trusted guidance on vital local boundary and land use issues have earned him this distinguished award,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said in a prepared statement. “In addition to Jerry’s service as chair of the Local Agency Formation Commission, Los Angeles County appreciates his participation with the Castaic Lake Water Agency and numerous other state and local associations and JPAs that improve the quality of life for all our county residents.” LAFCOs are state-mandated commissions charged with providing for the orderly formation and growth of cities and special districts within counties. Gladbach has served on the CALAFCO Board of Directors since 2005 and served as its president in 2011-12.

Positions Open Career Opportunity for Full Charge Bookkeeper/Office Manager North Yuba Water District NYWD, Brownsville, CA will be hiring a full charge bookkeeper/office manager, accounting clerks need not apply. The following qualifications are required: • Full Charge Bookkeeper (payroll & payroll taxes, GL, AR, & AP) will be tested • Excellent QuickBooks, MS Excel & MS Word skills • Degree in Accounting or commensurate experience • Administrative Assistant to General Manager • HR background helpful This position offers a good salary and benefit package. Send resumes to: Jeffrey Maupin, General Manager, North Yuba Water District, P.O. Box 299, Brownsville, CA 95919

Civil Engineer San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority represents member agencies in key water issues and performs the O&M of the Delta-Mendota Canal, the CW “Bill” Jones Pumping Plant, and related facilities owned by the federal government. We serve approximately 1.2 million acres of farm land, over 1 million in population and industrial uses, and over 180,000 acres of waterfowl habitat within the Pacific Flyway. This position performs a variety of technical & complex professional engineering functions associated with the operations, maintenance and capital improvements on related facilities. $70,639 to $100,209 DOQ. Application and filing instructions available at www.sldmwa.org/ employment_opportunities.htm or contact Continued on page 16

CALENDAR September 22 – 23

October 3 – 4

ACWA Region 5 Tour & Program is Sept. 22 – 23 in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The program will focus on regional water reliability and tour the Chateau Julien Wine Estate. For more information contact Region & Member Services Specialist Ana Torres at anat@acwa.com.

ACWA’s 2013 Continuing Legal Education Workshop (CLE) is Oct. 3 – 4, at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

8 – 9

29th Biennial Groundwater Conference & Groundwater Resources Association Annual Meeting is Oct. 8 – 9 in Sacramento. For more information visit www.grac.com.

16 – 18

Water Education Foundation will host a 3-day Northern California Tour traveling the length of the Sacramento Valley on Oct. 16 – 18. Stops include Oroville and Shasta dams, Red Bluff Fish Passage Improvement Project, Feather River Fish Hatchery, Clear Creek restoration site, GCID’s fish screen and Delevan Wildlife Refuge. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/toursdetail. asp?id=841&parentID=821.

ACWA Events

November 7 – 8

3 – 6

February 3 – 6

ACWA Region 10 will host a program in Orange County on Thursday, Oct. 17. Registration is now open at www.acwa.com. For more information contact Regional Affairs Representative Marcia Wulff at marciaw@acwa.com.

March

24 – 25

ACWA Regions 2 & 4 will host a Regional Water Forum & Bike Tour Oct. 24 – 25. Registration is open at www.acwa.com. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representatives Marcia Wulff at marciaw@acwa.com or Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.

ACWA’s 2013 Fall Conference & Exhibition is Dec. 3 – 6 at the JW Marriott LA Live, Los Angeles. Registration deadline is Nov. 8. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

2014

4th Annual California Water Series is Thursday, Oct. 17, at McConnell Foundation’s Lema Ranch, Redding. This educational forum will discuss the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and Northern California water. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representative Marcia Wulff at marciaw@acwa.com

ACWA Region 3 / Mountain Counties Water Resources Association will hold a joint meeting Friday, Oct. 18, at The Ridge Golf Club and Events Center, Auburn. For more information visit www. mountaincountieswater.com or contact Executive Director John Kingsbury at johnkingsbury.mcwra@ gmail.com.

Water Education Foundation’s San Joaquin River Restoration Tour is Nov. 7 – 8. The tour includes stops at Friant Dam, Interim San Joaquin River Salmon Conservation and Research Facility, Chowchilla Bifurcation and Canal, Mendota Pool, Sack Dam, Sand Slough Control Structure, and the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/toursdetail. asp?id=845&parentID=821.

December

Other Events

May

6 – 9

ACWA’s 2014 Washington D.C. Conference is Feb. 25 – 27 at the Liaison Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

ACWA Region 3 / Mountain Counties Water Resources Association will hold a joint meeting Friday, March 14 at the El Dorado Irrigation District, Placerville. For more information visit http://mountaincountieswater.com/ meeting-schedule/upcoming-meetings/ or contact Executive Director John Kingsbury at johnkingsbury.mcwra@gmail.com.

ACWA 2014 Spring Conference & Exhibition is May 6 – 9 at the Portola and Marriott Hotels, Monterey. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

September 20, 2013 • 15

Continued from page 14

the HR Department at 209.826.9696, P.O. Box 2157, Los Banos, CA 93635. EEO, M/F, H/V. Filing deadlie: Open Until Filled

General Manager

Association of California Water Agencies 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814-3577

Periodicals Postage Paid at Sacramento, CA

Time Valued Material

Joshua Basin Water District Competitive salary, dependent on qualifications. Apply by 5 p.m. November 15th 2013. Joshua Basin Water District (JBWD) is seeking a highly qualified and experienced individual for the position of General Manager. JBWD, a special district in the community of Joshua Tree, serves approximately 4,500 connections within a geographic area of about 100 square miles. JBWD is governed by a five-member Board of Directors and has about 20 employees. The ideal candidate: has a strong history of public sector management including experience in financial management and budgeting, operational analysis, staff development and team building, and program planning; has a proven record of leading and planning long- and short-range efforts that involve multiple agencies and complex programs to achieve goals. A substantial track record demonstrating the ability to lead and succeed as general manager, assistant manager or equivalent high-level administrative position. Understands complex water supply and groundwater issues, with a focus on specific district functions and experience in wastewater treatment operations. Has a history of working with governing boards to establish clear channels of communication, build trust, define roles and develop positive, open relations. Demonstrated ability to develop solid Board/ Management relations. A history of setting up systems and procedures that ensure accountability while providing the flexibility to meet the water management requirements of the community. Has the ability to recruit, hire and develop the best staff and the ability to know when and how to terminate an employee who is not meeting the District’s requirements. Has vision – creates an exciting vision for employees; can work with various parts of the community to develop an agency vision that is a consensus of

very diverse interests. Successful experience in management of consultants and contractors. An understanding of the importance of developing working partnerships with businesses and community groups. A person who gets out from behind the desk and works at bringing people together to get things done. Understanding of environmental and permitting issues. A good manager of time and resources. A willingness to delegate, where appropriate. Able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing. Willing to work long hours. A bachelors degree in public administration, engineering, business administration or similar is required. Submit resumes to: Joshua Basin Water District, PO Box 725, Joshua Tree, CA 92252; or email to jbwd.gm.search@gmail.com. Job description available at the District website: www.jbwd.com. No phone calls please. EOE

Water Transfer Request for Information Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is exploring the potential for developing water transfers to replace a portion of Los Angeles Aqueduct water used for environmental enhancements in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Interested parties are invited to respond to LADWP’s Water Transfer Request for Information (RFI) issued to solicit information regarding water

supplies available for transfers including associated water rights and entitlements, potential recovery and delivery limitations, location(s) of delivery, water quality and other information. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) holds an exclusive contractual right to deliver State Water Project (SWP) entitlement water into its service territory, which includes the City of Los Angeles. Therefore, only non-SWP supplies will be considered by LADWP. LADWP seeks a partnership with one or more entities to develop and implement a water transfer in mid-2014 whereby nonSWP water is delivered either directly or by exchange into LADWP’s service area. LADWP’s desired quantity to be transferred is up to 40,000 acre-feet annually and may be obtained from a single supply or a combination of several supplies. The selection of suppliers and supplies will be at the discretion of LADWP. The City of Los Angeles employs an online Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN) system for posting its bidding and other business opportunities. Interested parties must have a registered BAVN account in order to access and download the Water Transfer RFI and associated documents. Registration is easy and free. Please log on to BAVN at http:// labavn.org. All proposal submittals are due no later than 2:00 p.m. on November 7, 2013. Any questions related to this advertisement should be submitted via electronic mail to LADWP’s Utility Buyer, Heather Tarumoto, at heather.tarumoto@ladwp.com.