ACWA News September 5, 2014

Page 1

digital

ACWA

NEWS

Save Our Water Pitches Conservation in Ball Parks

ACWA’s • Member • Newsletter

Baseball fans got more than hot dogs and peanuts Aug. 30 at AT&T Park in San Francisco when the Save Our Water program handed out shower timers and water-saving tips to those interested in learning more about water conservation. Save Our Water has expanded its messaging campaign to Major League Baseball fans with ads running at Giants, Oakland As, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres games. Some MLB players also have recorded radio spots. So far, AT&T Park is the only ballpark to host a Save Our Water booth. Photo credits: Department of California Water Resources.

Historic Groundwater Package Approved by the Legislature, Sent to Governor Brown for Signature A three-bill package aimed at advancing sustainable groundwater management throughout California was approved by the Legislature Aug. 29 and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown for signature. The package of bills would enact the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and provide a framework for the improved management of groundwater supplies by local authorities. The bills also would provide a mechanism for limited state intervention when

September 5, 2014

The three bills won approval in the Assembly and Senate Aug. 29. The Assembly acted first, taking up AB 1739 by Assembly Member Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) for concurrence on amendments made in the Senate. It passed on a 47-28 vote. Next, the Assembly approved the other two bills in the package: SB 1168 by Sen. Fran Groundwater Continued on page 6

Draft BDCP to be Recirculated in Early 2015; Additional Review Needed for Documents The California Department of Water Resources and other agencies leading the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will publish a Recirculated Draft BDCP and its accompanying documents in early 2015, officials announced Aug. 27. The BDCP and its Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/ EIS), as well as its Implementing Agreement (IA), will be recirculated in early 2015. The agencies leading the project are currently reviewing the comments received during the public

2 Volume 42 | Digital

necessary to protect groundwater resources.

Groundwater Package is Latest Example of Confronting Tough Issues

3

Initial 2014 Water Bond Toolkit Now Available to ACWA Members Online

comment period that ended on July 29, 2014. The scope of the partially recirculated draft documents will be announced in approximately six to eight weeks. The recirculated documents will include those portions of each document that warrant another public review prior to publication of final documents. The public also will have the opportunity to review the final documents prior to their adoption and any decisions about the proposed actions. More information on the BDCP is at http:// baydeltaconservationplan.com.

4

Save Our Water Launches Spanish Website

7

Demand Grows for “Cash for Grass” Programs


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 Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030 Digital Only

Questions on Classified Ads? ACWA public agency members may post job descriptions, RFPs, items for sale and other miscellaneous classified ads in ACWA News and/ or online at acwa.com. More information is at acwa.com or contact Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager at lisalm@acwa.com or 916.441.4545. Connect with us:

2 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 42 | Digital

Executive Director’s Column

By Timothy Quinn

Groundwater Package is Latest Example of Confronting Tough Issues ACWA and its member agencies have a long history of leadership when it comes to confronting big changes in the way we manage water resources in California. Comprehensive groundwater legislation currently awaiting the governor’s signature is the latest example. Few issues are as complex and controversial as groundwater, and the three-bill package that won final approval in the Legislature Aug. 29 is without question one of the most complicated and difficult set of policy reforms this generation of water managers has attempted to pursue. At its core, the groundwater legislation provides a framework for the improved management of groundwater supplies by local authorities. It is not perfect; no legislation can be. But it is substantially consistent with ACWA’s own recommendations for achieving groundwater sustainability issued earlier this year. In putting those recommendations on the table, ACWA’s Board of Directors made a strong policy statement in support of sustainable, locally controlled management of the state’s groundwater basins and called for a suite of new tools and authorities to help local agencies take action. At the same time, we recognized the need for a limited state backstop role in cases where locals cannot accomplish the goal. ACWA’s recommendations, described as a “game changer” on some editorial pages, reflected another step in the water community’s evolving views on groundwater sustainability. That evolution began with policy principles adopted by the ACWA Board in 2007 and continued with a more in-depth Groundwater Framework adopted by the Board in 2009. Growing concern about drastic declines in groundwater levels and subsidence in some areas of the state prompted formation late last year of the Board-level Groundwater Task Force that developed our recommenda-

tions released in April of this year. The task force concluded that while groundwater management is best left in local hands, it’s time to raise the bar. There is too much at stake to allow the status quo to continue. Our recommendations provided the foundation for the groundwater package that now awaits action on the governor’s desk. Together with the water bond legislation approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor on Aug. 13, the groundwater bills form a key part of the comprehensive statewide water plan that ACWA has long advocated and Gov. Brown has outlined in his own California Water Action Plan. We recognize there are many serious concerns about the groundwater legislation in the Central Valley, where many droughtweary water managers feel hammered by surface water cutbacks and worry that the door is now open to a state takeover of groundwater. But this is not a state takeover. The fact is the legislation provides a significant and effective shield against state intervention, provided that local agencies develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans as provided in the legislation. That is a reasonable ask in our view, and the legislation provides tools and authorities some agencies have previously lacked to manage for sustainability. Significantly, the legislation allows local managers time to get on the path of sustainability. It recognizes that implementation of local groundwater sustainability plans may take up to 20 years, thus allowing local agencies to factor in improved surface water supplies to replenish basins as other elements of the governor’s comprehensive plan come on line. The legislation will not affect the ability of local water managers and water users to get through the current drought. Implementation will be critical. Make no mistake; there is difficult work to be done. But we are determined to work with Continued on page 3


Initial 2014 Water Bond Toolkit Now Available to ACWA Members Online An initial member kit is now available with several tools for use in considering a position on the $7.545 billion water bond slated for the November ballot and educating the public about the measure. A second kit with additional resources

will be distributed in coming weeks. This kit includes a general fact sheet on Proposition 1, a checklist of actions ACWA members may take locally, a sample resolution on the water bond measure, a sample news release, and a

Water bond 2014

The Time is

sample newsletter article. Also included are updated guidelines for public agencies regarding permissible activities with respect to ballot measures. The initial toolkit is available at www.acwa.com.

Drought Map Shows Progression From Voluntary to Mandatory Restrictions As Severe Drought Continues Grip on California Red dots indicating mandatory water restrictions in communities throughout California have been spreading across ACWA’s drought response map as the drought drags on and local agencies take action in the wake of mandatory restrictions adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board.

As of Sept. 3, mandatory restrictions and conservation actions had been adopted in at least 140 communities or service areas throughout California. The number is up significantly since February when about 22 communities had adopted mandatory restrictions.

ACWA continues to track local response efforts, and is asking member agencies to notify the association when mandatory restrictions are adopted. Updates may be sent to Marie Meade at MarieM@acwa.com.

Mandatory Restrictions

Mandatory Restrictions

Voluntary Measures

Voluntary Measures

Drought Emergency / Water Shortage Declared

Drought Emergency / Water Shortage Declared

Agricultural Reductions

Agricultural Reductions

Other Actions

Other Actions

February 2014

September 2014

Continued from page 2

ACWA member agencies throughout the state to meet the challenge. In fact, we already are identifying priority issues to address in the implementation phase and possibly through cleanup legislation to resolve potential problems. ACWA’s Board of Directors deserves tremendous credit for staking out early on a progressive and game-changing

policy position on groundwater this year. ACWA’s Government Relations Team and myriad member agencies likewise deserve thanks and appreciation for the months of hard work and hours of grinding meetings to shape the legislation into the best possible package we could get. Finally, we must credit the Brown Administration, Sen. Fran Pavley and Assembly Member

Roger Dickinson for their leadership on the legislation this year. We look forward to the ongoing task of achieving locally controlled sustainable groundwater management throughout California.

september 5, 2014 • 3


Member Appreciation Month 2014 As Member Appreciation Month Comes to a Close, Here’s an Ode to ACWA Members I am proud to be the vice president of an organization whose statewide message represents public water

agencies throughout all of California. Wrapping up ACWA’s Member Appreciation Month, I’ve written a poem to express my gratitude for all that our members do and accomplish together. — Kathy Tiegs, ACWA Vice President

Ode to The Members of ACWA To the dedicated members of ACWA, I applaud you one and all. When issues require your feedback, You step up and answer the call. Groundwater, climate change, storage and the like, You’re “all in” to make the right choices. The economy and vitality of our great State, Rely on your leadership and collective voices. North, South, Inland, Coastal, Clean water is a common thread. With your knowledge and forward-thinking guidance, We’ll have reliability and people will be fed! The drought has opened many eyes, And partnership opportunities abound. The networking enjoyed at ACWA Has resulted in solutions that are quite profound. To close, I again say “thank you,” Your membership keeps ACWA strong; Working together is working, And united is where we belong!

Save Our Water Launches Spanish Languge Website The Save Our Water campaign has launched a Spanish-language website — AhorreNuestraAgua.com — to help even more Californians learn about water conservation during this extraordinary drought. Save Our Water — a water conservation campaign co-managed by the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources — launched a new website www.saveourwater.com earlier this summer. That microsite is an extension of the original www.saveourh2o.org site that launched a few years ago. The AhorreNuestraAgua.com site offers the same daily drought tips and essential news as the English language sites which seek to help Californians find ways to conserve water at home and at work every day. “Save Our Water and AhorreNuestraAgua.com are great resources for Californians to help combat this extraordinary drought,” said Jennifer Persike, deputy executive director for external affairs and operations at ACWA. “With a Spanish-language site we hope to encourage even more residents across the state to join the effort to save water.” The website features Spanish videos and public service announcements, daily water-saving tips and news clips, a spotlight featuring Save Our Water partner agencies, email newsletter registration options for daily tips and news, social media updates and more. “As the drought continues to worsen, it is vital that the Save Our Water message reaches more and more Californians,” said Nancy Vogel, director of public affairs for the California Department of Water Resources. “We hope AhorreNuestraAgua.com helps Californians get the tools and information they need to join the effort of conservation.”

FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP

4 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 42 | Digital

For more information on the Save Our Water program follow Save Our Water’s Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.


Newswatch

Water Conservation Campaign Seeks to Capture Magnetic “Selfies” College students across San Diego County can win free food and other prizes while contributing to regional water conservation efforts as the fall semester gets under way. The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) has delivered thousands of refrigerator magnets with indoor water conservation tips to campuses and invited students to promote water conservation by posting “selfies” with the magnets as part of a social media campaign. Hundreds of prizes have been generously donated by Rubio’s, Jack in the Box, Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co. in Mission Valley, SeaWorld, Slater’s 50/50 and Woodstock’s Pizza. The magnets emphasize the need for everyone in San Diego County to conserve water now that mandatory waterwasting restrictions are in place. College students at any campus in the county may request a magnet by sending a tweet to the Water Authority @sdcwa or emailing sdcwa@sdcwa.org. “Everyone plays an important role in conserving our existing water supplies in case 2015 is a fourth consecutive dry year,” said Jason Foster, director of Public Outreach and Conservation for the Wa-

ter Authority. “Thanks to civic-minded businesses and campus leaders around the region, we can offer college students a fun way to get involved with this serious topic.” During September and October, the Water Authority will send coupons for free tacos to 50 randomly selected people each week who follow the Water Authority on Twitter @sdcwa and post a photo of themselves with the drought magnet to their Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts using #DroughtSelfie. Winners of larger prizes will be randomly selected from participants. To be eligible, participants must tag @sdcwa using Twitter and Instagram or the San Diego County Water Authority using Facebook. Students are also encouraged to post tips about what they are doing to conserve water. Easy ways college students can save water include: taking shorter showers; washing only full loads of clothes; turning off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving; and alerting their landlords or apartment managers about leaks, runoff or other potential water waste on their properties. The college outreach is part of the Water Authority’s regional campaign,

“When in Drought: Save every day, every way.” Partly funded by grant money from the state Department of Water Resources, the campaign includes ads, public service announcements, online communications and drought reminders provided by community partners in public places such as San Diego International Airport and Petco Park. The Water Authority also is developing yard signs for residents that promote the region’s positive water conservation ethic, as well as magnetic car decals and other items designed to inspire efforts to reduce water use. The campaign is online at www. whenindrought.org.

FMFCD Awarded $2.5 million Infrastructure Improvement Grant The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) has been awarded a $2.5 million infrastructure improvement grant through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The grant provides 60% project funding for storm drainage and roadway infrastructure in the industrial areas of south Fresno. The project will provide critical infrastructure to facilitate local business expansions, helping to create 258 new jobs. Cargill Meat Solutions, North Pointe Business Park, Scelzi Enterprises, and Premier Carrier are several of the companies that will be able to expand

their operations as a result of the new infrastructure. These companies will also create the new jobs that were essential for the successful application for funds. FMFCD is the lead applicant in the South Fresno Storm Drain and Roadway Infrastructure Improvement Project. The project’s co-applicants are the County of Fresno and City of Fresno Public Works Departments, and the Fresno Irrigation District. “The District’s Board of Directors is thankful for the significant and critical infrastructure investment provided through EDA’s Public Works Grant. We are also thankful for the committed

partnership of the County of Fresno, City of Fresno, and the Fresno Irrigation District in this multi-agency, multibenefit community project,” said FMFCD Board Chairwoman Jeannette Williams. “The willingness and hard work of the people at Cargill, North Pointe, Scelzi Enterprises, and Premier Carrier in helping to build a compelling case to justify such a large infrastructure investment will bring benefit not only to their businesses, but neighboring businesses and surrounding areas.” Work is anticipated to conclude by August, 2017.

september 5, 2014 • 5


“This legislation is highly consistent with the policies adopted by our Board in March of this year, and ACWA strongly supports it.” — John Coleman, ACWA President

Groundwater Continued from page 1

Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and SB 1319, also by Pavley. The measures passed on votes of 47-27 and 48-26, respectively. Hours later, the Senate provided the final votes needed to send the package to the governor. On votes of 25-10 and 24-10 respectively, the Senate voted to concur on Assembly amendments in SB 1168 and SB 1319. Earlier on the Assembly floor, Dickinson urged support for this AB 1739, saying it was crafted over nine months with extensive input from stakeholders. “This bill is built on local control,” said Dickinson. “It is not the state coming in and telling the locals what to do… It is an opportunity for local entities to decide how to approach and devise a plan to get to groundwater sustainability.” Noting that many are concerned about the measure’s implications for local communities, Dickinson said lawmakers should consider the consequences of inaction. “What are the consequences if we fail to act?” Dickinson said. “If not now, then when? If not us, then who?” Several Assembly members spoke passionately in opposition and called for additional time to address concerns and improve the legislation. They voiced concern that the bill would adversely affect farmers who already have seen their water supplies diminished by drought and are struggling to survive. ACWA, which supported the package, applauded its passage. The association acknowledged that several ACWA members remained opposed to the bills, and 6 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 42 | Digital

pledged to work with member agencies througout the state to meet the challenge. “Earlier this year, ACWA’s Board of Directors took a strong position calling for sustainable, locally controlled management of the state’s groundwater basins and a suite of new tools and authorities to help local agencies do the job. We also recognized the need for a limited state backstop role in cases where locals cannot accomplish the goal,” ACWA President John Coleman said. “This legislation is highly consistent with the policies adopted by our Board in March of this year, and ACWA strongly supports it.” Read ACWA’s complete statement at http://www.acwa.com/news/ groundwater/acwa-applauds-passagegroundwater-legislation.

Key Provisions of the Bills ACWA, its member agencies and other stakeholders have provided extensive input on SB 1168 and AB 1739 since April. The bills are largely based on recommendations by ACWA’s Groundwater Task Force earlier this year as well as recommendations by the California Water Foundation. Last week, SB 1168 and AB 1739 — which previously were identical — ­ were amended to distribute key provisions of the legislation between the two measures. This week, a third bill — SB 1319 — was added to the package to include language from the Brown Administration to address concerns raised during the legislative process by stakeholders including ACWA and its member agencies. SB 1168 includes provisions related to establishing groundwater sustainability

agencies (GSAs) and adopting groundwater sustainability plans, while AB 1739 includes complementary provisions related to implementation tools and enforcement authorities at the state and local levels. SB 1168 would establish that it is the policy of the state that all groundwater basins are managed sustainably for multiple economic, social and environmental benefits and that such management is best achieved locally based on best available science. It also would establish phased requirements for high and medium priority basins to adopt groundwater sustainability plans, depending on whether a basin is in critical overdraft. It would require adoption of groundwater sustainability plans by Jan. 31, 2020, for all high or medium priority basins in overdraft condition and by Jan. 31, 2022 for all other high and medium priority basins unless legally adjudicated or otherwise managed sustainably. SB 1168 also includes language regarding basin boundary adjustments, requirements and authorities for establishing groundwater sustainability agencies, and required plan components. AB 1739 includes provisions related to coordination among local land use and groundwater management agencies, as well as provisions related to technical assistance from the Department of Water Resources, financial and enforcement authorities for groundwater sustainability agencies, and provisions related to the state intervention role. As noted, SB 1319 now includes language addressing issues such as probationary basins and interim plans.


Newswatch

Demand Grows for “Cash for Grass” Programs In a third year of severe drought, more Californians are tearing out their lawns and replacing them with water efficient landscaping as water districts offer “cash for grass” incentives. Since more than 50% of residential water use takes place outdoors, water efficient gardens and landscapes translate into significant water savings. For example, the typical lawn requires about 57 inches of water a year. A small lawn of 1,000 square-feet uses about 35,000 gallons of water per year. If the lawn is overirrigated, as is common in many areas, it can use up to 75,000 gallons a year. Desert Water Agency (DWA) has already received 216 applications since Aug. 1 for its newly launched $1 million turf buy-back program. To kick off the program, DWA hosted a landscaping workshop to train local landscapers how to meet the program’s requirements. “For conservation programs to be effective, we need strong participation. Our customers have demonstrated that they are more than willing to step-up and join our efforts,” said DWA President Craig Ewing. “Our team at Desert Water Agency has been inundated with applications for our water-saving programs and rebates, and we are thrilled about the skyrocketing demand.” Olivenhain Municipal Water District doesn’t have an incentive program of its own, but is promoting the turf removal

programs provided by its water wholesalers, the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).

for grass

A rebate of $1.50 per square foot of turf removed in a visible, front yard is offered by SDCWA and $2 per square foot is offered by MWD. Customers may qualify for both incentives for a combined $3.50 per square foot.

or multi-family property has been increased to a maximum $4,500. Information at www.dsrsd.com.

Commercial customers aren’t being left out; they receive “cash for grass” incentives from water agencies as well. In August, Western Municipal Water District approved an action to increase their turf rebate for specific commercial customers to $5 per square foot. This enhanced incentive, possibly the highest in the region, is available in part due to funding received from Western’s imported water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. They provide the baseline of $2 per square foot. Western generates the additional funding from its penalty water budget tiers. Here is a sampling of some of the districts around the state offering turf removal rebates:

Dublin San Ramon Services District The rebate for a single-family residence has been increased to a maximum $750 (based on square footage converted), and the rebate for a non-residential property

El Toro Water District Residential and small commercial customers of participating retail water providers are eligible to receive an incentive of $2 (or more) per square foot of turf removed for qualifying projects. Your participation in this Program is voluntary and is encouraged by your local retail water provider. Information at www.etwd.com. Irvine Ranch Water District Potable water customers eligible to receive $2 per sq. ft. of turf remove Recycled water customers receive $2 per sq. ft. of turf removed 250 sq. ft. minimum – NO Maximum Synthetic turf is now eligible for funding. Information at www.irwd.com. Laguna Beach County Water District Eligible district customers can receive an incentive of $3 per square foot of turf removed for qualifying products. Removing turf increases water use efficiency and reduces runoff leaving the property. Information at www.lbcwd.org.

Twitter Chatter – Passage of Groundwater Package CA Water Foundation @WaterFdn Aug 30, @WaterFdn Director Lester Snow issues statement applauding the #CAleg for passage of #groundwater legislation

CA Water Foundation @WaterFdn Aug 29, Today’s vote will go down in CA’s history as the day we stood up to protect our #groundwater supplies for our families, farmers & future.

Ian James @TDSIanJames Aug 30, California to regulate #groundwater for the first time under historic legislation

Waterkeeper Alliance @Waterkeeper Aug 29, Calif. Legislature poised to make history with landmark legislation to protect #groundwater supplies.

Peter Gleick @PeterGleick Aug 29, As a scientist, I rarely weigh in on particular legislation. But I urge @JerryBrownGov to sign the historical #groundwater bills.

Orange County Water @OCWDWaterNews Aug 28, Senate is praised for leadership in advancing groundwater legislation. 78% of Californians support a #groundwater management plan for CA.

september 5, 2014 • 7


Newswatch

CVWD Investing in Shared Value Projects The Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD), in partnership with Nestlé Waters North America, presented a check on Aug. 29 to the Cucamonga Foothills Preservation Alliance to address watershed clean-up in Cucamonga Canyon. Nestlé Waters North America has been a community shared value program partner for the district’s environmental and education programs for many years. Recently, Nestlé Waters provided additional grant funding specially for watershed clean-up projects.

“Our goal for this project is to improve public safety, remove debris and graffiti, and restore the beauty and health of the canyon so that it can be enjoyed by our community,” commented CVWD Board President Oscar Gonzalez. “Another benefit of this project is the opportunity to partner with a coalition of public and private organizations working towards a common goal to protect our natural resources.”

From left to right: Martin E. Zvirbulis, general manager / chief executive officer; Luis Cetina, director; John Banacky, CFPA volunteer; Kathleen J. Tiegs, director; Oscar Gonzalez, president; Larry Lawrence, natural resource manager for Nestlé Waters North America; Matt Shaw CFPA volunteer; James V. Curatalo, Jr., vicepresident; Randall James Reed, director.

Deterioration of Salton Sea Brings Huge Public Health and Environmental Costs, New Report by Pacific Institute Says The deterioration of the Salton Sea — with its worsening air quality, loss of ecological habitat, diminished recreational revenue and property devaluation — could cost as much as $70 billion over the next 30 years, according to a report released Sept. 3 by the Pacific Institute. The report — titled “Hazard’s Toll: The Costs of Inaction at the Salton Sea” — details the massive public health and environmental costs on local residents and Californians in general if steps aren’t taken to protect and preserve the Salton Sea. The 50-page report states that the high costs of California’s 2007 plan for the Salton Sea may have stifled deliberation and deterred meaningful investment in

revitalizing the troubled waterway. Many decision-makers, the report asserts, assume that delaying action at the Salton Sea will result in business as usual, with no additional costs. Hazard’s Toll makes clear that because the Salton Sea has changed over the past decade and soon will enter a period of rapid decline the costs of inaction are escalating rapidly. Even at the low end of the costs estimated in Hazard’s Toll, the long-term social and economic costs of a deteriorating Salton Sea could approach $29 billion, well in excess of the project cost of the state’s plan.

in harm’s way of the Salton Sea’s dust, as well as by the birds and other life that depend on the lake,” the report states. The report also highlights a large number of important data gaps that should be addressed in the near future

“The consequences of continued inaction at the Salton Sea will be felt most directly by the 650,000 people who live

Download the full report at www.pacinst.org

Hazard’s Toll is a companion volume to Hazard: The Future of the Salton Sea With No Restoration Project. The 2006 volume contains information on the formation, ecological processes, and hydrology of the Salton Sea, as well as an assessment of the potential ecological impacts of the sea’s current decline.

Eastern MWD’s Ron Sullivan Honored for Public Service by AWRA The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) this month announced that Ronald W. Sullivan, SAWPA Commissioner and Eastern Municipal Water District Board Director, will this year receive the Mary H. Marsh Medal that honors an individual for public service related to water resources education and management. Sullivan is honored for his work on the One Water One Watershed

8 • ACWA NEWS

Vol. 42 | Digital

(OWOW) 2.0 plan for the Santa Ana River Watershed.

The OWOW 2.0 plan itself also is being honored by AWRA with the 2014 Outstanding Integrated Water Resources Management Award for its efforts in building “smarter collaboration to find sustainable watershed-wide solutions among diverse stakeholders from throughout the watershed,” an AWRA press release stated. AWRA also stated in its press release

that Sullivan was “selected to receive this award in recognition of his outstanding public service in preserving our nation’s water resources.” In its award announcement, AWRA stated, “the OWOW Plan exemplifies the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment.”


CALENDAR

ACWA Events

September 9 – 12

18

19

October 6 – 7

The International Water Association is holding a specialists’ conference for water basin science and management Sept. 9 to 12 in San Francisco. More information available at http://iwa2014sanfrancisco. org/. Questions may be directed to Chelsea Spier at 209.946.2595, iwa2014wrbm@gmail.com. ACWA Regions 2 & 4 will jointly host a program on Sept. 18 at the Sacramento Suburban Water District’s Antelope Garden. The half-day program will focus on the effects of climate change on Northern California water storage. Registration available online Aug. 18 at www.acwa.com. Deadline for online registration is Sept. 12. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representatives Katie Dahl at katied@ acwa.com or 916.441.4545. Steve Hall Fierce Competitor Golf Tournament is set for Sept. 19 at Darkhorse Golf Club, Auburn. Tournament entry forms due Sept. 12. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545

CalDesal 3rd Annual Conference is Oct. 6 – 7 in Monterey. The conference will be attended by desalination industry professionals, CalDesal member agency representatives, local and state/federal agency staff and decision makers, California legislators, nongovernmental organizations and other special guests. For more information contact Ron Davis at rond@ caldesal.org, or by phone at (916) 492-6082.

14 The Santa Ana River Watershed Conference for the 6th Annual OWOW event is set for Oct. 14 at the Riverside Convention Center, Riverside. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/ sawpa2014.

Other Events

17

ACWA Region 6 & 7 joint program is Oct. 17 in Visalia. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.

19 – 20

ACWA Region 5 reception & program is Oct. 19-20 in Livermore. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.

26 – 27

ACWA Region 8, 9, and 10 joint tour and program is Oct. 26-27 in San Diego. Registration will be available Sept. 2. For more information please contact Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com

November 6 – 7

The Water Education Foundation is hosting a tour of the San Joaquin River Restoration on Nov. 6 – 7. Tour stops include 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. Participants learn about water project operations, salmon spawning and rearing, flood management, agricultural diversions, and gravel mining impacts. The tour begins and ends in Fresno. For more information go to http://www.watereducation.org/tour/sanjoaquin-river-restoration-tour-2014.

December 2 – 5

ACWA’s 2014 Fall Conference & Exhibition is Dec. 2 – 5 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego. Registration available online at www. acwa.com. Deadline for online registration is Nov. 7. For more information contact ACWA’s Member Services and Events Department at events@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.

Public Comment Period Opens on Prop. 1 Water Bond Ballot Arguments Draft ballot arguments on Proposition 1 — a $7.5 billion water bond set to go before voters Nov. 4 — are now posted for public review on the Secretary of State’s website until Sept. 12. The ballot arguments for and against the $7.5 billion water bond are available at www.sos.ca.gov. The arguments

are part of the draft copy of the Official Supplemental Voter Information Guide for the Nov 4 election.

conservation, groundwater management and cleanup, watershed protection and statewide flood management.

The $7.5 billion bond contains $2.7 billion continuously appropriated for above and below ground storage projects, funds for regional water reliability, safe drinking water, water recycling, water

On Aug. 13, the Legislature approved the bond and Gov. Jerry Brown signed the measure placing the bond before voters in November.

september 5, 2014 • 9


classifieds

Position Open Regulatory Analyst I-II Turlock Irrigation District ($6508.00 – $10,096.00 PER MO) Under the direction of the Director of External Affairs, perform a variety of professional and technical analysis in support of legislative and regulatory activities in connection with District operations; and to serve as a resource to District employees on regulatory matters. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications or a related field. Experience with a Federal and State Government, or trade organization is desirable. At time of hire, physical exam, drug & alcohol screen, background check & a valid appropriate CA driver’s license is a prerequisite for employment. Resumes are encouraged, but will not be accepted in lieu of a TID online application. Completed applications are currently being accepted until Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. For the complete job description and to apply online, please visit our website www.tid.org or call (209) 883-8253. EOE Turlock Irrigation District Human Resources 333 East Canal Drive Turlock, CA 95380

ACWA Region Boards Look to Fill Vacancies The Region 1 and Region 4 Boards have opened a call for candidates to fill vacancies on their boards for the 2014-2015 term. The leadership of ACWA’s ten geographical regions is integral to the leadership pf the association as a whole. The members of the region boards determine the direction and focus of region issues and activities. If you, or someone within your agency is interested in serving in a leadership role with ACWA by becoming a member of the Region 1 or Region 4 Board, please return the candidate nomination form and a resolution of support from your district to ACWA by the October 31 deadline. For more information, contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representative Katie Dahl at katied@acwa.com.

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

Time Valued Material

Periodicals Postage Paid at Sacramento, CA


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.