ACWA News February 17, 2017 by ACWA

NEWS

VOL.

02 Feb. 17, 2017

Left: Water pours over the emergency spillway at Oroville Dam on Feb. 12 for the first time in the dam’s 48-year history. Hours later, the bare hillside below the spillway began eroding, prompting fears the structure could fail and triggering the evacuation of more than 180,000 people for two days. Above: Helicopters transport rock to the erosion site on the emergency spillway Feb. 13 as 100,000 cubic-feet per second is released from the main spillway in an aggressive effort to lower the lake below spill level as the next storms approach. Photo credit: Department of Water Resources.

Oroville Spillway Emergency Prompts Evacuations, Dramatic Water Releases Erosion on the emergency spillway of Oroville Dam Feb. 12 triggered the evacuation of more than 180,000 people in Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties and prompted the California Department of Water Resources to boost releases from the dam’s hobbled primary spillway to 100,000 cubic-feet per second for several days in a bid to drop the lake below spill level. After two days of massive releases and work to fill pockets of erosion on the emergency spillway with rock and concrete, the Butte County Sheriff ’s Department on Feb. 14 downgraded the evacuation order to an evacuation warning, allowing

Water a Hot Topic Again in New Legislative Session As the 2017-’18 legislative session unfolds in Sacramento, ACWA and its member agencies are gearing up to deal with issues ranging from longterm conservation policy to Proposition 218 to drinking water affordability and potential funding sources including a public goods charge or tax on water bills.

residents to return to their homes. DWR Acting Director Bill Croyle said crews were monitoring the primary spillway 24/7 and were moving aggressively to address the erosion concern on the emergency spillway. He said crews were using helicopters to shore up the erosion site with 1,200 tons of material. DWR was continuing to release 100,000 cubic-feet per second from the damaged primary spillway on Feb. 15 to further reduce the lake level and lessen the risk of water flowing over the emergency spillway and eroding more of the structure.

The state budget also is expected to be a focus, with a projected decline in revenues, uncertainty over future federal funds for California, and costly repairs for the Oroville Dam spillway clouding the picture. Legislators have introduced two bills that would place water and park bonds on the statewide ballot in 2018. ACWA’s State Legislative Committee adopted favor-and-amend positions on the bills, SB 5 (De León) and AB 18 (E. Garcia), at its Jan.

OROVILLE Continued on page 3

Oroville Emergency Highlights Essential Role of Infrastructure

State Water Board Extends Energency Water Conservation Regulation

State Water Board Considers Water Rate Assistance Program

LEGISLATIVE Continued on page 6

ACWA News is a publication of the Association of California Water Agencies 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 916.441.4545 | www.acwa.com Executive Director Timothy Quinn Deputy Executive Director of External Affairs & Member Services Jennifer Persike Director of Communications Lisa Lien-Mager Senior Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau Communications Specialist Emily Allshouse Senior Graphic Designer Katherine Causland Outreach and Social Media Specialist Marie Meade Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved. Call ACWA for Permission to Reprint. USPS 334030

Questions on Classifieds? 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 LienMager at lisalm@acwa.com or 916.441.4545. Connect with us online: facebook.com/acwawater twitter.com/acwawater

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN • TIMOTHY QUINN

Oroville Emergency Highlights Essential Role of Infrastructure If you needed a reminder that water infrastructure is critical to our lives, recent events at Oroville Dam certainly provided one. The dramatic scenes of a damaged spillway and rapidly filling reservoir underscored that many of our key facilities serve multiple purposes that are essential to public safety, our economy and our communities. The timing of the incident — amid record rainfall after five years of historic drought — reminds us of the crucial role surface water storage plays in our water system. California’s “feast or famine” hydrology means we must rely on dams such as Oroville not only to capture and store the water we need for cities, farms and businesses in dry times, but also to protect communities from the devastating effects of floods when nature delivers massive rain and snowfall. It also drives home the need to continually invest in and upgrade our water infrastructure to meet our state’s changing needs. Just as the drought revealed inadequacies in our statewide backbone water infrastructure, the powerful storms that pummeled California in the first two months of 2017 have shown the urgent need to invest in modernizing all aspects of our system, from levees to groundwater recharge facilities to Delta conveyance to 21st century water storage capacity. And with climate change poised to change our rain and snowfall patterns and place additional strain on water supply and flood protection facilities, it’s more important than ever that critically needed new storage and conveyance projects integrate with

existing facilities to provide the most flexibility and maximize investments. Passage of Proposition 1 in 2014 and more recently federal legislation known as the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) provided important momentum to move the needle. The California Water Commission is on track to begin allocating $2.7 billion in Prop. 1 funding later this year for surface and groundwater storage projects. Other state agencies are in the process of getting Prop. 1 dollars out the door for projects such as water recycling, stormwater capture and groundwater recharge. Under the WIIN Act, $558 million has been authorized for new water infrastructure in the West, including $515 million for water storage, water recycling and reuse, and desalination projects in California. The Trump Administration has sparked renewed discussion of infrastructure as a key policy area in 2017. In response to Gov. Jerry Brown’s request for federal assistance with the Oroville emergency, the president’s spokesperson made it clear that water infrastructure will be on the list in DC this year. That’s a positive sign for ACWA and its members as we pursue every opportunity to reinforce that water infrastructure must figure prominently in any package that advances. We intend to do just that later this month when we visit Capitol Hill for ACWA’s DC Conference.

State Water Board Extends Emergency Water Conservation Regulation The State Water Resources Control Board on Feb. 8 voted unanimously to extend the state’s emergency conservation regulation amid criticism that this year’s rains have ended California’s state of emergency. “We’ve had an impressive first half… (of the water year),” State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus said during the meeting. “But we can’t predict where we will stand at the end of the season.” The regulation had been set to expire Feb. 28. The board voted to keep it in place, but agreed to consider repeal of the regulation in May following a more thorough review of the state’s water supply conditions. The board’s action continues the “stress test” approach, existing water use reporting requirements and prohibitions on wasteful water use practices that have been in place since 2015. The

current regulation does not require mandatory conservation unless water suppliers determine that they have a shortfall. Under the terms of the so-called “stress test,” water suppliers must demonstrate they have enough water reserves to withstand an additional three dry years. Under the extended regulation, urban water suppliers that didn’t take or didn’t pass the “stress test” and have been subject to state-set standards are given an opportunity to update their analysis. The board’s vote was preceded by a lengthy public comment period in which many speakers asked that the order be allowed to expire since California is experiencing a record wet year and is no longer in an emergency. Other speakers argued to take a cautious approach and see where the state stands in terms of rainfall this spring.

OROVILLE Continued from page 1

The emergency at Lake Oroville began to unfold on Feb. 7, when DWR personnel discovered the reservoir’s gated primary spillway had sustained significant erosion damage while water was being released in the wake of heavy inflow from recent storms.

spillway’s concrete lip began to erode, prompting fears the structure could fail and send uncontrolled releases downstream. Evacuation orders were issued to residents in the Oroville area and downstream in the late afternoon Feb. 12.

Flows from the primary spillway were stopped temporarily to allow DWR to inspect the damage. They were resumed and increased Feb. 10 in an effort to avoid use of the reservoir’s untested emergency spillway.

DWR officials said on Feb. 15 they hope to drop the lake level to 850 feet by Feb. 18 or 19. The next series of storms was projected to arrive late Feb. 15 or Feb. 16 but were not expected to be as punishing as the record downpours that have pummeled Northern California in recent weeks.

However, on Feb. 11 as heavy inflow continued, the reservoir exceeded its 901-foot elevation capacity and water began flowing over the emergency spillway for the first time in the dam’s 48-year history. Hours later on Feb. 12, the bare hillside below the emergency

The lake level was at 878 feet at noon on Feb. 15. For up-to-date information, visit DWR’s website at www.water.ca.gov.

ACWA Member Agencies Respond to Severe Weather and Infrastructure Damage ACWA member agencies responded swiftly in recent weeks to impacts caused by severe weather. Here is a look at some recent activities: • Sacramento County Water Agency and the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services responded to various flooding incidents, and levee boils and breaches, including incidents on the Sacramento, American, Mokelumne and Cosumnes rivers. Recent evacuation orders have impacted areas including Point Pleasant, Wilton, Glanville, Walnut Grove, and Tyler Island. As of Feb. 14, the evacuation advisory for Tyler Island and Walnut Grove was still in effect, as crews worked to repair levee breaches. • Sonoma County Water Agency on Feb. 14 began working on emergency repairs in Green Valley Creek/Green Valley Road following flooding. Water agency crews are removing non-native vegetation and sediment to deepen and widen the channel near the road to keep fish in the natural channel. One week prior, on Feb. 7, the agency responded to 12 separate sewer overflows as a result of storms. • Santa Clara Valley Water District is using its Flood Information Team to assess flooded or at-risk sites to assist the water district’s emergency operations center. The district also is working with the city of Palo Alto and other local agencies to monitor rising San Francisquito Creek water levels. • Yuba County Water Agency closed two critical roads – one to the Colgate Powerhouse and another to New Bullards Bar Dam. The Lake Francis Road to the Colgate Powerhouse failed due to rain saturating the hillside on Jan. 8. Emergency contract procedures were implemented to get the road repaired and a contract was issued for $670,000. Burma Road at the base of New Bullards Bar Dam was damaged during February storms. The contract for this repair is $630,000. FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 3

State Water Board Considers Water Rate Assistance Program The State Water Resources Control Board on Feb. 8 held an informational workshop on the Affordable, Safe Drinking Water Initiative. A portion of the workshop focused on the implementation of AB 401 (Dodd, 2015), which requires the State Water Board to prepare a plan for the funding and implementation of a low-income water rate assistance program by Jan. 1, 2018. AB 401 also requires the State Water Board to submit a report to the Legislature by Feb. 1, 2018. This timeframe was developed to allow for legislation in 2018. In implementing AB 401, the State Water Board contracted with UCLA to examine existing California utility assistance programs. UCLA’s research included studying how to establish an eligibility requirement, a standard household benefit, and estimate the potential annual program costs of a statewide water rate assistance program.

J.R. DeShazo with UCLA, presented two potential implementation approaches. Both approaches proposed an eligibility requirement of 200% below the Federal Poverty Level, roughly $48,000 for a family of four, a number DeShazo said encompasses 34% of households in California. The key difference between the approaches was that the first would not take into account existing assistance programs at local water agencies while the second approach would apply only where there is not a local assistance program already in place. In a preliminary comment letter submitted in advance of the workshop, ACWA urged the State Water Board to reach consensus on the scope of the need through collaborative work with stakeholders. ACWA’s comment letter also highlights the innovative nature of existing assistance programs at ACWA member agencies and encourages the State Water Board to recognize the

successful implementation of these programs when considering a statewide plan. On a panel later in the afternoon regarding safe drinking water, ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck stated the commitment of ACWA’s Board of Directors to identify solutions for providing safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities. During her comments, Tuck suggested the use of the state’s General Fund as an equitable way to secure longterm funding for the operation and maintenance costs of drinking water facilities in such communities. “This is a social issue, it makes sense for the General Fund to be part of the solution,” Tuck said.

Water Policy Under Trump Explored at ACWA 2017 DC Conference Water policy in the era of President Donald Trump is one of the many topics that will be explored at ACWA’s 2017 DC Conference Feb. 28-March 2. The conference opens at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 with a networking reception at the St. Regis Hotel hosted by ACWA in conjunction with the California Association of Sanitation Agencies. A breakfast panel is scheduled for March 1 that will feature water journalists talking about environmental and water policy during the Trump Administration. During a luncheon address, ACWA Director of Federal Affairs David Reynolds

4 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 45 No. 02

and Senior Federal Relations Representative Abby Schneider will offer tips on how to “work” Washington. Later that day, a variety of members of California’s congressional delegation will offer comments and perspectives. During the final breakfast program March 2, Scott Mason, a senior policy advisor with Holland and Knight who served as director of government and congressional relations for the Trump campaign and transition, will discuss the Trump transition. More information on the DC Conference is available at www.acwa.com.

ACWA DC2017 Annual Washington D.C. Conference

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 2, 2017 St. Regis Hotel, Washington D.C.

Governor, FEMA Respond to Oroville Emergency, Flooding California’s record-setting storms this winter have prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to declare emergencies in approximately 85% of the state’s counties and petition President Donald Trump for a major disaster declaration for the entire state and funds to aid response to the Oroville Spillway Emergency. On Feb. 14, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Brown’s requests. On Feb. 10, Brown submitted a written request asking Trump for a major disaster declaration for California as a result of $162 million in statewide damage from January storms. Brown cited flash flooding, mud flows, erosion, power outages, and damage to the state’s roads, bridges, and flood and water control structures as the reason for his request.

Brown’s Feb. 10 letter to Trump also highlights severe impacts to public infrastructure as a result of the January storms including: • Placer County Water Agency’s American River potable water intake facility suffered damage to four intake plates and siphoning screens, causing the headwall to be undermined and scouring to occur. The facility provides domestic and irrigation water to 270,000 people in western Placer County. • Brown’s Valley Irrigation District’s Yuba River Diversion Channel reached capacity, requiring emergency excavation and dredging. • Lake Francis Road, the only access road for Yuba County Water Agency’s powerhouse, suffered three washouts within a half mile stretch.

• A water supply and distribution line system in Sonoma County was damaged during a washout. The water system has 140 water connections to service 500 residents in the town of Jenner. Additionally, on Feb. 12, in response to the dynamic situation unfolding at Lake Oroville and subsequent evacuation of more than 180,000 people, Brown also issued an order proclaiming states of emergency in Butte, Yuba and Sutter counties and activated the State Operations Center at Mather to facilitate emergency response actions. He then submitted a second emergency declaration request asking the Trump Administration for assistance for the counties of Butte, Sutter, and Yuba. The governor’s letters are available on his website at www.gov.ca.gov.

Little Hoover Commission Examines State’s Tree Mortality Crisis With 102 million dead trees in California forests, dealing with the impacts of the state’s tree mortality crisis will require the close cooperation, collaboration and long-term commitment of local, state, and federal stakeholders. That was the overwhelming message delivered by a panel of state officials during a Jan. 26 Little Hoover Commission hearing examining the state’s response to the tree mortality crisis in the Sierra Nevada. ACWA Director of State Relations Wendy Ridderbusch testified at the hearing, noting the impact forest health has on water supply and water quality statewide and detailing ACWA’s engagement on headwaters/watershed management issues in recent years. In 2015, ACWA released its Headwaters Framework, which set forth comprehensive recommendations designed to achieve more resilient water resources through improved forest management policies and practices. ACWA also is

a founding member of the California Forest Watershed Alliance (CAFWA), which has advocated for federal legislation to increase the pace and scale of investments in healthy forests. During her testimony, Ridderbusch expressed ACWA’s support for the use of additional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Cap-and-Trade) and state General Fund dollars, as well as available Proposition 1 funding, to help fund healthy forests in 2017. Proposition 1, the $7.5 billion dollar general obligation water bond approved by voters in 2014, includes $1.49 billion intended for multibenefit ecosystem, watershed protection and restoration projects. The Jan. 26 hearing was the first in a series of 2017 meetings the commission plans to hold to study the state’s response to the crisis, including the tree die-off’s intersection with catastrophic wildfire, greenhouse gas emission and watershed health.

During the hearing, the commission heard reports from members of the state’s Tree Mortality Task Force including: Chief Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Ashley Conrad-Saydah, deputy secretary for climate policy, California Environmental Protection Agency; Malcolm Dougherty, director of the California Department of Transportation; and Jim Branham, executive officer for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 5

Moulton Niguel Elects 2017 Board President and Vice President

LEGISLATIVE Continued from page 1

20 meeting. Both proposed measures focus on park-related issues, but SB 5 includes $1.5 billion for water-related purposes. ACWA is developing suggested amendments to both bills.

The Moulton Niguel Water District Board of Directors in January re-elected Division 3 Director Donald L. Froelich as its board president, and re-elected Scott F. Colton, Division 2, and Brian S. Probolsky, Division 5, as its vice presidents. Froelich has served as MNWD board president for the past two years.

In addition, Assembly Member Adam Gray (D-Merced) has introduced a new bill aimed at restructuring the administration and enforcement of water rights and the State Water Project. AB 313 would move authority and enforcement over water rights from the State Water Resources Control Board to the California Department of Water Resources and create a new State Water Project Authority that would assume DWR’s administration of the State Water Project.

“As water challenges continue in Southern California, we must find new, innovative ways to provide water reliability for our customers. I look forward to working with our communities and all our stakeholders to uphold this commitment,” said Froelich in a statement announcing his re-election.

The bill introduction deadline is Feb. 17.

MNWD’s seven-member board also includes directors Richard S. Fiore, Division 1; Brian S. Probolsky, Division 5; Duane D. Cave, Division 6; and Gary R. Kurtz, Division 7.

On Jan. 20, the Moulton Niguel Water District elected its 2017 board officers. They are: (l-r): Duane D. Cave; Brian S. Probolsky; Donald L. Froelich; Scott F. Colton; Richard S. Fiore; Larry R. Lizotte; and Gary R. Kurtz.

6 • ACWANEWS

ACWA’s 40-member State Legislative Committee will meet throughout the legislative session and review hundreds of bills and adopt positions to advance the interest of ACWA member agencies. Members can access status reports on legislation and ACWA’s positions by visiting www.acwa.com/content/state_legislation.

Proposition 218 / SCA 4 Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles) introduced spot legislation addressing Proposition 218 and water rate-setting. SCA 4 is a spot bill for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing flexibility for local agencies to pursue voluntary demandbased water rates and voluntary lifeline rates to assist low-income customers. In a follow-up to its work on these issues in 2015 and 2016, ACWA is coordinating with a Board-level advisory group, a working group of the State Legislative Committee and the full State Legislative Committee to discuss SCA 4 and identify critical elements for the association. Work on SCA 4 will be a major legislative issue for ACWA in 2017.

Long-Term Conservation ACWA’s State Legislative Committee has established working groups to review and provide input on legislation anticipated in 2017 to implement the Brown Administration’s long-term water conservation framework.

Vol. 45 No. 02

The Administration is expected to sponsor legislation to make statutory changes recommended in the state’s final long-term conservation framework, which is expected to be released soon. Released in draft form Nov. 30 by the California Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Energy Commission, the framework seeks to update the state’s approach to longterm conservation for both the urban and agricultural sectors consistent with the governor’s May 9 executive order. ACWA’s urban and agricultural working groups held an initial organizational meeting in January and have scheduled regular meetings to review and inform ACWA’s response to legislation. The urban working group is developing language consistent with recommendations submitted by ACWA in a comment letter on the draft framework signed by 114 urban water suppliers in December. The language could be used as the basis for amendments to potential legislation on the topic. ACWA members with questions may contact ACWA Senior Legislative Advocate Whitnie Wiley at whitniew@acwa.com.

New Chairs Appointed for Senate, Assembly Water Committees Water committees in both the Senate and Assembly are under new leadership for the 2017-’18 term. Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) in December appointed Hertzberg to chair the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) last month appointed Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) to chair the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Both Hertzberg and Garcia have agreed to speak at ACWA’s annual Legislative Symposium in Sacramento on March 8. More information is available at www.acwa.com.

ACWA Board of Directors Discuss Priorities for 2017 The ACWA Board of Directors discussed Strategic and Business Plan priority actions for the second year of its twoyear term and adopted a set of policy principles on water quality at its Feb. 3 meeting in Sacramento. Board members agreed that many policy-related actions identified in early 2016 should remain priorities in 2017, including shaping long-term conservation policy, advancing water storage investments, and promoting policy advances on headwaters. The actions remain important but are not expected to command the level of intensity required last year. Board members also discussed the State Water Resources Control Board’s approach to updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan and proposal to increase unimpaired flows on the San Joaquin River and its tributaries for the benefit of fish species. Members expressed concern that the State Water Board’s regulatory approach will severely impact the state’s agricultural economy and undermine implementation of the California Water Action Plan. The Board agreed to elevate the importance of the issue and make it a top policy priority in 2017. A working group of Board members was formed to craft a policy statement on flows for the Board’s review and approval at its

March 31 meeting. “We need a powerful policy statement on this,” ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn told the Board. “The State Board’s job should be to figure out how to find balance. We need to make it clear you can’t get where we want to go with an unimpaired flows-only strategy as the model.” Board members also agreed to prioritize actions related to Proposition 218, water rate setting and drinking water affordability. Activities related to water transfer policy and improving access to the voluntary water market were deemed lower in importance this year. On the organizational side, the Board agreed that activities related to longrange financial planning, recruiting and engaging the next generation of water professionals, and improving involvement by ACWA’s agricultural members should continue as priorities in 2017. Activities related to the Meet the President initiative and implementation of ACWA’s Integrated Marketing / Communications / Outreach Plan, including a comprehensive redesign of the website, were identified as core organizational efforts for the year.

The Board will consider an updated list of policy and organization-related goals for the organization’s 2017 Strategic and Business Plan at its March 31 meeting. Also at the Feb. 3 meeting, the Board adopted a set of policy principles related to safe drinking water and protection of water quality. The principles will be available soon at www.acwa.com. The Board also approved recommendations that ACWA prepare and file amicus briefs in four cases pending at the appellate level. The cases include Goleta Ag Preservation v. Goleta Water District, Environmental Law Foundation v. State Water Resources Control Board, Paradise Irrigation District v. Commission on State Mandates, and Restore Hetch Hetchy v. City and County of San Francisco. In addition, the Board heard updates on the state’s emergency water conservation regulation, the Administration’s long-term water conservation framework, federal activities, and the Save Our Water program.

Feb. 2 Workshop Convened One day prior to the meeting, the Board held a full-day workshop in Sacramento. The morning session was dedicated to teambuilding and effectiveness, while the afternoon session focused on identifying and discussion priority actions for the 2017 Strategic and Business Plan.

California Forest Watershed Alliance Unveils Policy Platform A new, urban-rural collation called the California Forest Watershed Alliance (CAFWA) stepped publicly into the state’s water policy arena Jan. 26, unveiling a new website and an educational video detailing a set of proactive priorities to help protect California’s forested watersheds. According to its press release, the alliance’s policy platform “includes increasing the pace and scale of ecologicallybased forest management, increasing the funding for forest thinning and wildfire prevention efforts, increasing the geographic scope of forest management

to address problems at a landscape scale, and making economic use of the byproducts of ecologically-based forest thinning through the use of biomass.”

water resources through improved forest management policies and practices.

CAFWA is comprised of ACWA, the Rural Counties Representatives of California, the California Forestry Association, The Nature Conservancy, and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

“California’s water supply depends upon healthy forests and healthy watersheds,” said ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn in CAFWA’s press release. “By proactively managing our forests, we can safeguard our water supply by reducing the risk of damaging megafires.”

ACWA has actively engaged in forest/ watershed issues, since the release of its Headwaters Framework in 2015, which set forth comprehensive recommendations designed to achieve more resilient

For more information on CAFWA, please visit its website at www. caforestsandwatersheds.org. CAFWA’s educational video is available at vimeo.com/194091207. FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 7

“Evergreen Messaging” of Conservation for Life is Focus for Save Our Water in 2017 As California’s water conditions improve, Save Our Water (SOW) continues to advance permanent behavior change into 2017. Reaching Californians with evergreen messaging to embrace water conservation and efficiency as a habit for life, rain or shine, was the focus in 2016 and continues this year. SOW completed its seventh year in 2016, reaching Californians more than 160 million times with its messaging. In January, program results and plans for 2017 were presented by Deputy Executive Director External Affairs / Member Services Jennifer Persike to the Governor’s Drought Task Force and the State Water Resources Control Board in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources External

Affairs Director Ed Wilson. Governor Jerry Brown’s 2017-’2018 State Budget included $2 million dollars to support the SOW program. This funding will become available in July 2017 if approved by the state Legislature. As in years past, Save Our Water will continue its close collaboration with water agency partners to ensure message consistency and to provide support for local outreach. Continued research, a website refresh and development of new tools and campaigns are already underway. The first partner webinar of the year is set for Feb. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. The webinar will kick off early collaboration and help identify

water agency needs and plans, along with opportunities to target messaging and coordinate paid media efforts. The webinar will be available for download after Feb. 15 at www.saveourwater.com/toolkit.

March 1 Deadline Approaches for ACWA Awards and Scholarships Spring is coming and so are opportunities and accolades from ACWA as the March 1 deadline approaches to submit entries and applications for awards and scholarships. Among the awards is ACWA’s Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award which recognizes exemplary programs in water resource management by ACWA member agencies. Award recipients are selected for demonstrating creativity in addressing water industry issues, commitment to excellence, leadership in broad waterrelated issues, environmental sensitivity and fiscal responsibility. Each year, the winning agency bestows a scholarship in its honor to a deserving student. Another award is the Excellence in Water Leadership Award – Building a World of Difference® – which recognizes people (individuals or groups) who have made a remarkable and visible contribution to the enhancement, protection or 8 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 45 No. 02

development of water resources in California. The recipient has the honor of presenting a charitable donation to a nonprofit organization that works toward the enhancement and / or protection of California’s water resources. Nomination and entry forms are available at www.acwa.com/content/ awards/awards. Both award winners will be recognized at the 2017 ACWA Spring Conference & Exhibition May 9-12 in Monterey. ACWA also has several scholarships available to assist the best and brightest in water related studies. The deadline for these scholarships has been extended to March 1. Undergraduate students majoring in engineering, irrigation technology, environmental sciences, public administration and other water-resources related fields may be eligible for one of

two ACWA Scholarships. The $3,500 scholarships are awarded to California residents attending a four-year, publicly funded college or university. Applicants must be a full-time junior or senior college student in a water resourcesrelated field of study for the 2017-’18 academic year. Graduate students with an eye toward water resources may be eligible for the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship, created in 2007 to honor former ACWA Executive Director Steve Hall upon his retirement. The $7,000 scholarship is presented annually to a qualified graduate student majoring in law, policy or public administration with a focus or concentration in California water resources. Information and application forms are available at www.acwa.com/content/ scholarships/scholarships.

WATER NEWS DIGEST Storms Boost SWP Allocations to 60% With winter storms continuing to boost reservoirs as well as the Sierra snowpack, the California Department of Water Resources on Jan. 18 increased the 2017 projected State Water Project allocations to 60% of requested amounts, up from 45% announced in December. DWR officials said the allocation could be further increased in coming weeks. They cautioned, however, that effects of the historic drought linger and some parts of the state continue to see supply challenges. Under the 60% allocation, the SWP would deliver 2.5 million acrefeet, compared to the 1.8 MAF it would have delivered under the previous 45% allocation. DWR initially estimated it would be able to deliver only 20% of the 4.1 million acrefeet of SWP water requested this year.

Agencies Join Sites Project Authority The City of Roseville, Placer County Water Agency and Western Canal Water District in January agreed to join the Sites Project Authority which is pursuing the development and construction of the Sites Reservoir Project. The SPA was formed in 2010 when several regional entities, including local water agencies and counties, executed a joint exercise of powers agreement to pursue the reservoir project north of Sacramento. The project seeks to create additional offstream storage to provide direct and real benefits to instream flows, the Delta ecosystem, and water supply.

2030 Climate Plan Released The California Air Resources Board on Jan. 20 released a proposed plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%

below 1990 levels by 2030. The plan builds on the state’s current efforts to reduce emissions, including continuing the Cap-and-Trade Program. The Final 2017 Scoping Plan Update will be released in late March and be considered for approval by the board in late April. Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to submit comments by March 6 at 5 p.m. The full text of “The 2017 Scoping Plan Update: The Proposed Plan for Achieving California’s 2030 Greenhouse Gas Target” is available at: www.arb. ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/scopingplan. htm. More information on submitting comments is at www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/ comm/bclist.php.

Report Shows Limited Surface Water for Groundwater Recharge

The California Department of Water Resources in January released a draft of a highly anticipated report that underscores the need for investment in new water infrastructure and innovative strategies to help bring local groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The “Water Available for Replenishment” report analyzes water supply and demand in 10 separate regions of the state and considers a number of factors including existing flow requirements for streams, potential new infrastructure to divert water based on the capacity of existing facilities and the reliability of water deliveries from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project. The report is required under SGMA and will be used by leaders of groundwater sustainability agencies as they craft groundwater sustainability plans that are due in 2020 for critically overdrafted basins and two years later for remaining high- and medium-priority basins. DWR

is seeking public comment on the draft report through March 10.

With the exception of high precipitation years, the report shows available replenishment water will be limited in many regions, with as little as 50,000 acre-feet available annually in the Tulare Basin where demand for water is highest. The report notes that while water deliveries from the SWP and the CVP historically have reduced groundwater overdraft in many basins in the state, average deliveries have declined in recent years due to drought and regulatory requirements. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate the challenge, the report says. Providing more flexibility to capture storm runoff, construction of additional storage north and south of the Delta and improving Delta conveyance as proposed by California WaterFix would limit the decline in water deliveries and provide a more efficient system for environmental protection, the report says.

Tools such as water-use efficiency, recycling, desalination and water transfers also can create additional water and help bring basins into balance, the report says. “Together, the (California) Water Action Plan and the Water Available for Replenishment report show that to achieve sustainable water resources, California must embrace conservation as a way of life and continue to invest in integrated water diversion, storage and conveyance projects including a wide array of local, regional and statewide projects that safeguard existing supplies, capture high flows when available, restore important habitats and expand efficiency and recycling,” DWR said in a Jan. 12 news release. ACWA is analyzing the report and will submit public comments by the March 10 deadline. ACWA members with questions regarding the draft report may contact ACWA Director of State Regulatory Relations Dave Bolland at daveb@acwa.com. FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 9

S P OT L I G H T

Eastern Municipal Water District’s Energy Efficiency Program Serves its Community “Today and Tomorrow” DISTRICT FACTS Location 555 square miles in Moreno Valley of Riverside County Number of Customers Served 795,000 people who live and work in the service area Water Sources • Imported: 46%; • Groundwater: 12% • Groundwater Desalination: 5% • Recycled water: 37% Notable Projects Two water filtration facilities, two desalination facilities, four operating regional wastewater reclamation facilities

Eastern Municipal Water District adopted a new tagline in 2016 that aptly sums up its approach to all of its operations, but particularly its energy efficiency and climate adaptation programs. The tagline states: “Serving Our Community Today and Tomorrow.”

Website www.emwd.org

With an expansive portfolio of alternative sources of clean energy and huge emphasis placed on energy conservation, EMWD is serving its community with an eye to tomorrow — while staying present today — by building and maintaining sustainable energy sources. “By investing in alternative energy, we are able to fulfill our responsibility to both our customers and the environment,” said EMWD President David Slawson. “These investments have allowed us to help reduce our long-term costs and allow us to be good stewards to the environment by further minimizing our carbon footprint. Our

long-term strategic objective is to be energy independent. Doing so will allow us to keep rates low for our customers and ensure that we are at the forefront of protecting our environment.”

Investments in Alternative Energy EMWD has made extensive long-term investments in alternative, clean energy. In 2014, the district finalized its first energy management plan, which adopted baseline energy use and emissions for the agency and developed eight different portfolios of projects which sought to reduce future greenhouse gas emissions in all facets of operations through 2032. In terms of solar energy, the district has installed solar power generation systems at its five reclamation facilities, one each in Perris, Moreno Valley, Temecula, San Jacinto, and Sun City. Each system produces one

“By investing in alternative energy, we are able to fulfill our responsibility to both our customers and the environment.” — EMWD President David Slawson

megawatt (1,000 kilowatts) of power to be used at each facility as well as the facilities’ surrounding infrastructure. The solar power is estimated to provide 30% of each facility’s power needs and is expected to save EMWD customers more than $1 million a year over the life of the program. The district also has invested in digester gas-driven fuel cells that are installed at its Moreno Valley and Perris Valley regional water reclamation facilities. The fuel cells operate on renewable fuel and provide 25% to 40% of each facility’s energy needs while producing virtually zero emissions. It is estimated that use of the cells will cut greenhouse gases by more than 10,600 tons annually, which is the equivalent of taking 1,000 cars off the road for one year. The fuel cells also are estimated to save about $1 million a year in energy costs. Microturbines also are part of EMWD’s energy portfolio. Nine 60kw microturbines provide additional power generation. The exhaust from the microturbines also heats the water needed to power a 150-ton air

conditioning unit. These microturbines save more than $300,000 per year. “Our board has empowered our staff to continue to seek out ways to reduce our energy dependence. Doing so is part of our organizational mission,” adds Slawson. “EMWD does not consider itself just a water or wastewater agency; we are an environmentally responsible agency. By taking a holistic approach to energy management, we are able to fulfill our commitment toward sound environmental policy while providing long-term value to our customers.”

Climate Action and Environmental Focus EMWD is a member of the California Climate Change Action Registry, a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas registry intended to promote reduction of GHG emissions. In addition to its energy efficiency projects and alternative energy efforts, the district is committed to investing in projects that adapt to climate change such as climate resilient water supplies and landscapes, as well as demand reduction programs.

Over decades, the district has worked to diversify its water supply portfolio to include a variety of sustainable local sources such as groundwater, brackish groundwater, and recycled water supplies. Recycled water is EMWD’s least energy consuming and least greenhouse gas intensive water supply and makes up 36% of its overall water supply portfolio. The district also is employing environmentally friendly methods to treat water and wastewater. Working in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the 1990’s, EMWD built a 60-acre constructed wetlands that offers habitat for migratory fowl, shore birds, and raptors along the Pacific Flyway. The wetlands also provide a lowenergy, natural way to treat wastewater by naturally removing nitrates and nitrites via bulrush. With its clean energy programs and environmental stewardship, EMWD does indeed have its eye on the prize – a sustainable future.

Opposite Page: The district operates a solar complex at its Perris Valley Regional Water Reclamation Facility, and maintains solar power generation systems at its five reclamation facilities. Right: This biogas fuel cell at the Perris Valley facility is one of two in the district. The cells operate on renewable fuel and provide 25% to 40% of each facility’s energy needs while producing zero emissions. Left: EMWD’s Integrated Operations Center coordinates much of the district’s energy management.

FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 11

MEMBER NEWS

Storms Benefit Groundwater Recharge for United Water CD The United Water Conservation District reports that the spate of recent storms has allowed some replenishment of some of the depleted groundwater supplies that have served as a buffer for the region’s demand for water during drought. Since the start of the 2016-’17 Water Year, Ventura County has received more than 10 inches of rainfall from storm events, which is nearly double last year’s 4.80 inches for the same time period when the state was in its fifth consecutive year of drought. Ventura County’s precipitation this year, however, has not been as strong as in some other areas of the state. “We’re encouraged by the intensity and consistency of storm activity so far, as it’s beneficial in replenishing the region’s groundwater storage. But we need to caution the public that, in spite of our best efforts, regulatory mandates will see most of this storm water end up in the ocean, despite the fact that we’re still a long way from drought recovery,” explained UWCD General Manager Mauricio E. Guardado, Jr.

The UWCD is a special district tasked with managing, protecting, conserving and enhancing the water resources of the Santa Clara River Valley and Oxnard Plain. Recent storms have required the district to increase water releases from its Santa Felicia Dam, a stipulation of its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. Upcoming storms will likely trigger an additional increase in the volume of releases from the dam in order to facilitate steelhead migration as required by the National Marine Fisheries Service. These anticipated releases also will likely diminish the water storage potential resulting from these storms. After five years of extreme drought, Southern California’s soil has been quickly absorbing much of the recent rainfall and is nearing saturation. Soil conditions are pushing more water flows into creeks and rivers that comprise the region’s watersheds. As more storms pass through the area, and precipitation continues in a fairly consistent

Storm water runoff used for groundwater recharge is captured in UWCD’s El Rio pond on Jan. 20. Photo credit: John Carmen, UWCD Chief Water Treatment Officer

pattern, more runoff is created which increases both storage and diversion for groundwater recharge.

Western MWD’s 2017 Board of Directors Sworn In, Evans is President

Thomas Evans

Western Municipal Water District’s 2017 Board of Directors was sworn in at the district’s first board meeting in January, with Thomas P. Evans serving as board president.

Evans has served on Western’s board for the past 10 years and Brenda Dennstedt represents the City of Riverside as well as portions of Lake Mathews, Woodcrest, Mission Grove and Orangecrest. 12 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 45 No. 02

The other members of the board are: Vice President Brenda Dennstedt, who has served on the Board since 2007 and Robert Stockton represents the cities of Temecula, Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Murrieta as well as properties located south of Lake Mathews Drive Donald Galleano in Riverside; Board Secretary-Treasurer Robert Stockton, who has served on the Board since 2014

and represents Western’s Riverside Division; Director Donald D. Galleano, who has served on Western’s Board since 2005, Al Lopez representing the areas of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and the communities of Mira Loma, Rubidoux and Glen Avon; and Director S.R. “Al” Lopez, who was re-elected for the current term after serving on Western’s Board since 2001 and represents Corona, Home Gardens, El Cerrito and portions of Temescal Valley.

EMPLOYMENT Community Outreach Specialist (Administrative Services) Walnut Valley Water District

Salary: $4,526 - $7,067/mo. Plus excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; CalPERS retirement plan and a 9/80 work schedule. The District is currently seeking a qualified individual to perform a wide variety of complex and specialized administrative duties for the Administrative Services Department; the incumbent will be responsible for actively participating in the development and implementation of the District’s community relations, conservation, water education and multi-media programs and materials. The individual will represent the District at community events, conduct water conservation classroom presentations, coordinate the design of outreach materials, and perform related duties as assigned. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited college with major coursework in communications, business administration, public administration, journalism, graphic design or related field is highly desirable. Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public affairs or community outreach programs which included designing graphic treatments, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Chinese is highly desirable. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested applicants MUST complete a Walnut Valley Water District application form. Application packets may be obtained by contacting Human Resources at (909) 595-1268, or visit the District website at www. wvwd.com, Complete the District application form, download and submit by mail or in person to: Walnut Valley Water District, Human Resources Dept., 271 S. Brea Canyon Road, Walnut, CA 91789. FAXED or EMAILED applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District application. A written examination will be required for selected candidates. Pre-employment physical required. FILING DEADLINE: Thursday, March 9, 2017, 5 p.m.

2017

LEGISLATIVE

SYMPOSIUM

General Manager

Reclamation District 1500 The General Manager (GM) is responsible to and implements policies as directed by the Boards for two separate organizations (Reclamation District 1500 Trustees and Sutter Mutual Water Company Directors), and manages, plans, directs, and oversees all personnel, administration, operations, maintenance services and activities, and project management of a large public flood control and drainage district and private mutual water (irrigation) company in rural Sutter County. The GM also serves as Secretary/Treasurer to the respective Boards of Trustees and Directors. QUALIFICATIONS and KNOWLEDGE • Operations and maintenance and services activities of drainage/flood control and irrigation organizations. • Public administration principles and practices. • Principles and practices of financial management and accounting systems. • Principles of human resources management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation. • Pertinent federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations. ABILITY TO • Plan, organize, and direct the work of lower level staff. • Delegate authority and responsibility. • Identify and respond to Board and community issues, concerns, and needs. • Interpret and apply federal, State and local policies, laws, and regulations. • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships. EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING • 6-10 years of increasingly responsible management experience with a drainage/ flood control and/or an irrigation or water utility or agency with project management, administration and supervision experience. • Working knowledge of agricultural and/or farming businesses. • College degree. Degree advantage or preferred

in Business Management and/or in engineering or a related field, with California professional registration as a Civil or Agricultural Engineer. CONTACT Please send resume to: RD 1500/SMWC; Personnel Committee; P.O. Box 96; Robbins, CA 95676. Also, Personal Contact: Max Sakato (916) 765-0187.

Public Affairs Director Palmdale Water District

The Palmdale Water District is seeking an experienced leader to assume responsibility for all public affairs of the District. The Public Affairs Director is a key member of the management team who participates fully in establishing and accomplishing agency-wide objectives and goals. The role requires significant experience working in a government agency with elected officials as well as an ability to grasp technical and policy issues. Since 1918 the Palmdale Water District has provided high quality water at a reasonable cost. We are a Special District which prides itself on exceptional customer service and a commitment to our community. This position reports directly to the General Manager and works closely with our Board of Directors. To qualify an applicant must have a minimum of five years experience in public and media relations, communications and crisis management. We are looking for an applicant with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredit college or university with a major in business administration, public relations, public administration or a related field. The salary range is $9070 – $11025 a month. The benefit Package includes: • Medical, dental, vision • CalPERS • Education Reimbursement • Paid Vacation, Sick Leave, Administrative Leave and Holidays For additional information on this position, please visit the District’s website, www.palmdalewater.org, and click on about/employment. The final date for filing an application is April 2, 2017.

Sacramento Convention Center

Online Registration Deadline Feb. 24 FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 13

PEOPLE NEWS Trabuco Canyon Water District Selects Glenn Acosta as Board President The Trabuco Canyon Water District Board Directors in December selected Glenn Acosta to serve as president. Acosta has served on the TCWD board since 2003, and previously served as president in 2006. Glenn Acosta

“It’s incredibly satisfying to represent the community I live in and those we serve,” Acosta

Messer Appointed Chief Deputy Director at DWR Cindy Messer, a former deputy director of the Delta Stewardship Council, has been appointed chief deputy director at the California Department of Water Resource where she has served as assistant chief deputy director since 2016.

Cindy Messer

Messer, of Sacramento, was deputy director of the Planning, Performance and Technology Division at the Delta Stewardship Council from 2012 to 2016 and assistant executive

said. “I’m fortunate to be part of an agency with dedicated employees, responsive management, and fellow board members that take great care in ensuring that we provide cost effective, quality service to our ratepayers.” Other members of TCWD’s five-member board for 2017 are: Vice President Michael Safranski, Don Chadd, Stephen Dopudja, and Edward Mandich.

officer at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy from 2010 to 2012. She has served in several positions in the Division of Environmental Services at the DWR from 1999 to 2010, including senior environmental scientist, environmental program manager, section chief and environmental scientist. Messer earned a Master of Science degree in conservation biology from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

EMWD Honors U.S. Rep. Calvert with 2016 Water Champion Award Eastern Municipal Water District has awarded U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-42) the district’s 2016 Water Champion Award. According to the district, Calvert has been instrumental in federal funding and legislative efforts that have directly benefited the region’s water supplies. The EMWD Water Champion Award is presented to an individual who shows exemplary service in helping EMWD achieve its mission of providing clean, reliable water and wastewater management services for residents of western Riverside County. “Congressman Calvert has been a respected and active voice for our customers and his work has resulted not only in valuable federal funding, but

14 • ACWANEWS

Vol. 45 No. 02

in legislative action that has tangible benefits to our region,” EMWD Director Randy Record said. Calvert has worked to aid EMWD in securing federal funding for critical water infrastructure investments, including its proposed Perris II Desalter and regional recycled water facilities and recently introduced the House version of the Pechanga Settlement Act, which was added to the federal drought legislative package signed into law in late 2016. “I’m proud of the contributions I have made over the years to advance water solutions. Eastern Municipal Water District has long been an invaluable partner in my efforts. I’m grateful for their recognition and I look forward to

U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (center) displays his 2016 Water Champion award following a ceremony on Jan. 17. Also pictured (l-r): EMWD General Manager Paul Jones and Board Members Randy Record, Joseph Kuebler and Ronald Sullivan.

our continued work together to provide Californians with an affordable and reliable water supply,” said Calvert.

PEOPLE NEWS Murillo Named Acting Commissioner for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Jan. 20 announced that David Murillo will serve as the Bureau’s acting commissioner. Murillo will serve in this role until President Donald Trump nominates, and the Senate confirms, a new commissioner. David Murillo

Wayne Osborne

Brett Barbre

Phillip Hawkins

As acting commissioner, Murillo will oversee projects in 17 western states that include 475 dams, 337 reservoirs, and 53 hydroelectric power plants. According to the Bureau, these projects provide water for 31 million people

Municipal Water District of OC Taps Osborne and Barbe as 2017 Board Leaders The Municipal Water District of Orange County Board of Directors has unanimously re-elected Wayne S. Osborne as board president. Brett R. Barbre also will serve a second consecutive term as vice president for 2017. Osborne has served on the MWDOC board since 2012. He previously worked 33 years at the city of Fountain Valley, retiring as the director of Public Works and Engineering. He represents MWDOC Division 3, which includes the cities of Cypress, Fountain Valley, Los

Hawkins and Aceituno Selected to Lead Central Basin Board of Directors The Central Basin Board of Directors has selected Phillip Hawkins to serve as board president and Pedro Aceituno to serve as vice president. Both directors also were appointed as Central Basin’s representatives on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors.

in the West and about 15% of the nation’s hydropower. Since 2012, Murillo has served as the Bureau’s regional director of the Mid-Pacific Region. In this role, he managed Region 11 water projects in the northern two-thirds of California, most of western Nevada and part of southern Oregon, including California’s Central Valley Project. His previous experience with the Bureau includes serving as the deputy commissioner for operations in 2010, as the power manager for the Grand Coulee Power Office in 2006, and as the manager of the field office in Yakima, Washington in 2000.

Alamitos, Stanton, Westminster, the western portion of Garden Grove, and nearby portions of unincorporated Orange County. Barbre has served on the MWDOC board since 2000, after serving on the Yorba Linda Water District board from 1998 to 2000. In 2009, he was appointed to one of MWDOC’s seats on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, where he serves as chairman of the Finance & Insurance Committee. Barbre represents Division 1, which includes the cities of Brea, Buena Park, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia and Yorba Linda.

of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Paramount and Signal Hill and previously served as one of the district’s representatives to MWD’s board. Aceituno was recently elected to the Central Basin Board of Directors and brings 17 years of experience as a public servant. He represents the cities of Bell Gardens, Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera, West Whittier-Los Nietos, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

Hawkins is in his 20th year of service on the Central Basin board. He represents the cities

Pedro Aceituno

FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • 15

MOST CLICKED

Here are some of the latest mostclicked stories on ACWA’s website, www.acwa.com. Be sure to subscribe to ACWA’s eNews to get the latest news in your email box each week. See www.acwa.com/newsletters/ ACWA-eNews for more.

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

Periodicals Postage PAID Sacramento, CA

Time Valued Material

Releases Continue at Oroville Primary Spillway; Evacuation Orders in Place — 02/13/2017 New NASA Report Shows “Troubling” Increase in Subsidence, Impacts to Water Infrastructure — 02/09/2017 Drinking Water Safety and Affordability Issues Explored During State Water Board Workshop — 02/08/2017 State Water Board Extends Emergency Water Conservation Regulation — 02/08/2017 California Forest Watershed Alliance Unveils Policy Platform with Website and Video — 01/26/2017

TWITTER CHATTER KRON4 News • Feb. 12 • Governor Brown issues emergency order for #OrovilleDam emergency spillway. CA Water Boards • Feb 9 • #SWRCB extends emergency drought regulations, but will review lifting them in May 2017. CA – DWR• Feb. 7 • DWR halts flows down Oroville Dam spillway. Engineers investigating erosion. Contra Costa Water • Feb. 3 • Los Vaqueros Reservoir is storing more water than ever, this week storage rose above 133,000 acre-feet. CA Drought Monitor • Feb 2 • The Snowiest Place On Earth Right Now Is California

UPCOMING EVENTS 1

FEBRUARY 2017 28 – Mar. 2 ACWA DC2017 conference is set for Feb. 28 to March 2 at the St.

Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. Online registration is closed. For more information go to www.acwa.com/events/acwa-dc2016washington-dc-conference.

MARCH 2017 8 ACWA 2017 Legislative Symposium is set for March 8 at the

Sacramento Convention Center. Online registration deadline is Feb. 24. For registration and more information go to www.acwa.com/ events/acwa-2017-legislative-symposium. ACWA Energy Storage Summit in partnership with CESA is set for March 30 at ACWA’s office in Sacramento, CA. Online registration deadline is March 22. For registration and more information go to www.acwa.com/events/acwa-energy-storagesummit-partnership-cesa.

MAY 2017 9 - 12

ACWA 2017 Spring Conference is set for May 9 – 12 at the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey. Online registration deadline is April 14. For registration and more information go to www.acwa.com/events/acwa-2017-springconference-exhibition.

ACWA DC2017

Annual Washington D.C. Conference

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 2, 2017 St. Regis Hotel, Washington D.C.