NEWS
VOL.
45
06 June 16, 2017
PPIC Report: Urban Water Suppliers WellPrepared for Drought
California’s urban water suppliers were well prepared for the most recent drought due to investments in local supplies and programs, but the state’s mandated conservation targets disrupted some local programs and created uncertainties about future state and local roles.
The Sutter Buttes stand in the horizon like a sentry overlooking a lush, green field of newly planted rice in early June. The verdant rice field is a sign of California’s highly productive agricultural economy. Photo credit: Brian Baer, California Rice Commission
Legislation to Fund DAC Safe Drinking Water Solutions Moves to Assembly tems (i.e., 5 to 14 connections) as eligible funding categories even though data is lacking to support a credible needs assessment for these two categories. The bill should instead require preparation of a report on how data for these categories can be collected and evaluated.
Legislation aimed at funding drinking water solutions for disadvantaged communities (DACs) has been referred to the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee and will be heard in late June or early July. While ACWA agrees with the intent of SB 623 (Monning) — to help fund solutions for DACs that do not have safe drinking water — the association has taken an opposeunless-amended position on the current version of the bill. ACWA is advocating for amendments, including the following: •
2
SB 623 would include private wells and state small water sys-
ED Column: PPIC Weighs in at Key Time in Conservation Policy Debate
3
•
The bill would make capital costs an eligible funding category for long-term drinking water solutions even though there are other effective funding sources for capital needs (e.g., bonds, and the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund). ACWA believes the bill should focus
Those are some of the key findings in a report released June 8 by the Public Policy Institute of California titled – “Building Drought Resilience in California’s Cities and Suburbs.” The PPIC report delves into the interplay between state and local government mandates and policies during California’s recent drought. Specifically, the report posited that California’s urban water suppliers have become increasingly adept at drought management due to “investments in diverse supplies, cooperative efforts with neighbors, and programs to manage water demand.” But the state’s ordering of mandatory water conservation in 2015 created a “disconnect between mandate levels and local conditions,” the report read. “California’s urban water supply system is complex and highly decentralized, with 400-plus utilities serving more than 90% of the state’s residents. Following the hard lessons learned from the 1976–’77 and 1987–’92 droughts, these utilities made substantial investments in drought resilience. This included diversifying supplies with new surface and underground storage, interconnections with neighboring suppliers, recycled wastewater, and water transfer agreements, as well as freeing up supplies by
DRINKING WATER Continued on page 6
ACWA Seeks Nominations for Leaders for 2018–’19 Elected Term
4
DSC Holds Informational Hearing on Draft Delta Plan Amendment
PPIC Continued on page 4
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 / Editor 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
PPIC Weighs in at Key Time in Conservation Policy Debate As lawmakers debate competing proposals for long-term water conservation, the Public Policy Institute of California is weighing in with some important insights into state and local response to the historic drought. In a new report, “Building Drought Resilience in California’s Cities and Suburbs,” PPIC offers an in-depth look at events leading up to the recently ended drought and the unprecedented step by the State Water Resources Control Board to impose mandatory, across-the-board rationing on urban water suppliers in April 2015. Their conclusions validate many of the points made by ACWA and its members throughout 2015 and 2016 as well as in the current discussion in the legislative arena. The PPIC’s key takeaway is that the vast majority of urban water suppliers were well-prepared for the drought, thanks to extensive investments in drought-resilient supplies and water-use efficiency since the last major drought ended in the early 1990s. These investments, which included new local and regional surface and groundwater storage, interconnections with neighboring agencies, extensive water efficiency improvements and expansion of water recycling and other strategies, left water suppliers more prepared than ever when the five-year drought began in 2012. Despite that preparation and regardless of local supply conditions on the ground, however, the State Water Board opted to impose mandatory conservation, trumping local decision making in ways that had not been seen before. Though water suppliers and their customers stepped up and reduced statewide water use by 24%, the conservation mandate was, as PPIC puts it, a “blunt instrument” that generated discord and obscured the roles and responsibilities of state and local agencies.
Another key takeaway is that drought preparedness requires investment in both supply development and demand management. The state mandate relied solely on demand reduction, and all but completely ignored investment in local supplies. Many water suppliers
were compelled to cut back even if they had available supplies, essentially stranding the investments they had made and providing a disincentive to make future investments. As ACWA and others asserted at the time, that policy approach undermined the value of past investments and was completely at odds with Governor Brown’s California Water Action Plan, which calls for a comprehensive set of actions to create a more resilient water system. The PPIC’s findings are instructive, and not just because they affirm what the water community has been advocating. Local and regional agencies have doggedly pursued the goal of developing local water supplies and strategies to prepare for multiyear droughts. They have adopted local drought plans that wisely combine demand management and development of local supplies to help “drought proof ” their communities. The water community has put a substantive legislative proposal on the table to continue that work, while beefing up requirements for planning, data reporting and other elements to enhance water shortage contingency plans. The PPIC report recommends that the state adopt a “trust but verify” policy for the long term, building on the “stress test” self-certification approach that was ultimately adopted by the State Water Board — at the urging of the water community — in its modified emergency regulation in 2016. That approach holds local agencies accountable for developing and implementing water shortage contingency plans but limits the state’s role to tracking progress and in stepping in only when local actions are falling short. No doubt the PPIC report and its findings will inform the debate in coming weeks as the Senate takes up conservation legislation. ACWA will continue to play an active role in ensuring the state’s long-term conservation policy focuses on resilience and is workable for its public water agency members and their customers.
ACWA Board Hears Updates on Issues, Attitudes on Conservation ACWA’s Board of Directors heard the latest on legislation and Board-adopted priority initiatives at its June 2 meeting in Sacramento. The Board also was briefed on the findings of a recent statewide public opinion poll on conservation and water storage, and approved a request to submit an amicus brief on behalf of two member agencies in a U.S. Supreme Court case involving reserved rights to groundwater. On the legislative front, Board members heard updates on bills addressing lead testing in schools, long-term conservation policy and funding solutions for disadvantaged communities that lack safe drinking water. ACWA continues to advocate on all fronts for effective policies that work for public water agencies and their customers.
Curt Below of the polling firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz and Associates presented highlights from statewide public opinion research conducted in April on water conservation and another on water storage. The conservation survey, sponsored by Save Our Water, found Californians continue to see water supply as a key issue – even after the end of the historic five-year drought – and a majority say it is important to keep saving water. The data is being used to develop messaging for Save Our Water, which is managed by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. The survey focused on storage, sponsored by Clean Water and Jobs for California, found large majorities of Californians want to see more money
invested in maintaining the state’s water storage infrastructure. The Board approved the Legal Affairs Committee’s recommendation that ACWA prepare and file an amicus brief in support of Coachella Valley Water District and Desert Water Agency in Agua Caliente Band v. Coachella Valley Water District. At issue in the case, which in on appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, is whether the Agua Caliente Band has a reserved right to groundwater in the Coachella Valley. Board members also heard updates on the Save Our Water program’s plans for 2017, the redesign of ACWA’s website that will go live later in June, and member engagement through the Meet the President Initiative.
ACWA Seeks Nominations for Leaders for 2018–’19 Elected Term The ACWA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for qualified candidates to serve as ACWA president and vice president for the 2018–’19 elected term. To be eligible for election, candidates must be elected or appointed directors of ACWA member agencies according to ACWA Bylaws and Board of Directors’ policy. Nominations must be accompanied by an official nominating resolution from the ACWA member agency on whose board the nominee serves. A statement of qualifications or resume highlighting the proposed candidate’s background and qualifications also must be submitted for the Nominating Committee’s review. Additional letters or resolutions of support from other agencies may be submitted, but they are not required. Recommendations must be received in the ACWA office by Sept. 1, 2017, to be considered by the Nominating Committee. Nominees will be notified regarding individual interviews, which will be conducted on Sept. 11. The Nominating
Committee’s recommended slate will be announced at the Sept. 29 ACWA Board of Directors’ meeting. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 29 during the ACWA 2017 Fall Conference & Exhibition at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel in Anaheim. The committee was appointed by ACWA President Kathleen Tiegs during the 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. “This past year we shattered all previous drought records with one of the wettest years on history,” said Nominating Committee Chair John Coleman. “ACWA fought for our issues during the worst and best of times and will continue to exert its leadership into the future. That is why ACWA needs individuals willing to stand up and continue to lead ACWA
in the coming years. The Nominating Committee seeks qualified individuals to consider serious candidates for these important positions.” To recommend a candidate for nomination, send a copy of the agency resolution and the candidate’s background by Sept. 1 to: John Coleman, Nominating Committee Chair c/o Donna Pangborn, Clerk of the Board ACWA 910 K Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95814 For questions, please contact Donna Pangborn at (916) 441-4545 or donnap@acwa.com. Sample resolutions are available at www. acwa.com/news/water-news/acwaseeks-leaders-2018-19-elected-term.
Nominating Committee members are: • • • • •
Steve Cole, Region 8 John Coleman, Region 5 (Chair) Shannon Cotulla, Region 3 David Coxley, Region 2 Rick Gilmore, Region 5
• • • • •
Matthew Hurley, Region 6 & 7 Joone Lopez, Region 10 Bruce Rupp, Region 1 Sue Stephenson, Region 5 Nancy Wright, At-large representative JUNE 16, 2017 • 3
Legislative Proposals for 2018 Due Sept. 1 The ACWA State Relations Department is accepting legislative proposals from member agencies for the second year of the 2017–’18 legislative session. The State Legislative Committee will review final proposals at its upcoming annual planning meeting on Oct. 20 in Sacramento. Member agencies that wish to submit proposals for consideration must do so by Sept. 1. ACWA member agencies interested in drafting a proposal should take the following steps: •
Complete the Legislative Proposal Form;
•
Obtain a resolution passed by the agency’s governing body in support of the proposal (or at a minimum have noticed by Sept. 1 consideration of the resolution); and
•
Submit all proposals and draft resolutions by Sept. 1 to ACWA State Relations Assistant Katie Almand.
Final legislative proposals will be presented by the agency on Friday, Oct. 20 in front of staff and committee members. ACWA staff will contact agencies directly as to the status of the legislative proposal once it is submitted. Please contact Katie Almand at katiea@acwa.com with any questions or comments. The materials to submit proposals are at www.acwa.com/ content/201718-legislativeproposals-materials.
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DSC Holds Informational Hearing to Get Comment on Draft Delta Plan Amendment The Delta Stewardship Council held an informational hearing May 25 where scientists, landowners and others weighed in on the council’s draft Delta Plan amendment on conveyance, storage, and operations in the Delta. DSC Executive Officer Jessica Pearson said in her opening remarks that staff at DSC reviewed the public’s initial comments on the draft amendment and made some changes as a result. “We’ve heard that more storage is needed to meet the coequal goals. We agree,” said Pearson. Pearson added that conditions in the Delta — particularly under climate change — would worsen without new conveyance. Several speakers said the status quo in the Delta is not sustainable.
Two panels of scientists and other stakeholders testified during the first half of the hearing. Some asked whether the draft CSO amendment would actually improve conditions in the Delta. In a letter to the DSC, ACWA Director of State Regulatory Relations Dave Bolland wrote that the draft amendment allows for the operation of the Delta’s water system in a way that meets the coequal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem health. “For water supply reliability, all of the tools in the toolbox are needed,” the letter states. DSC staff will review the points made in the hearing and provide the council with a revised amendment in June.
PPIC Continued from page 1
reducing indoor water use,” the report reads. “Consequently, urban water suppliers generally believed they were prepared as the state entered a five-year drought in 2012.” The report also stated: • Most water suppliers were prepared for extended drought without mandatory conservation; • The mandated targets created compliance challenges for suppliers with high targets; • The mandates intensified the financial impacts of the drought; • Continued efforts should be made to improve local and regional water supply through regional integration, lower regulatory hurdles to water trading, and reduced uncertainty about state policies that would impact local supply investments; and
• Local suppliers need more proactive drought pricing. “Although California’s residents overwhelmingly responded to the mandate, the policy generated significant discord between the state and local water suppliers — entities that need to work well together to protect the state’s residents and economy from the worst effects of drought,” the report reads. “Perhaps more importantly, it muddied the waters in terms of state and local roles and responsibilities going forward. If left unaddressed, this uncertainty could undermine effective planning and response to future droughts.” The PPIC research was supported with funding from California Water Service, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The report is at www.ppic.org/content/ pubs/report/R_0617DMR.pdf.
FEDERAL ISSUES
House Subcommittee Moving On Wildfire-Headwaters Legislation The House Federal Lands subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) has released a discussion draft of wildfire legislation titled the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), is similar to ACWA-supported legislation passed by the House during the previous Congress. The subcommittee held a legislative hearing on the draft bill on June 15 with plans to hold markup on it the following week.
ACWA is working within a broad coalition of Western water suppliers to support provisions within the draft Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. These include collaborative forest management, streamlining the environmental review process, and addressing the unsustainable practice of fire borrowing. The Senate has yet to consider wildfire legislation. It remains unclear if Congress will ultimately choose to pass a standalone bill or insert separate provisions
within next year’s farm bill. Promoting policies and funding to increase the pace and scale of headwaters and forestry management remains one of ACWA’s top legislative priorities. National forest lands are the largest single source of water in the U.S. and in some regions of the west contribute nearly 50% of the overall water supply that supports farms and cities.
Lawmakers Express Reservations about Proposed Cuts to Farm Bill Lawmakers in both houses of Congress have raised concerns about enacting the spending cuts to the farm bill contained within President Donald Trump’s maiden budget. The reductions include cuts to ACWA-supported programs including the Conservation Reserve Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee expressed concern with both the timing and severity of the proposed cuts. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KA), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, pushed back against what he saw as excessive reductions in spending: “One thing is clear — times are challenging right now in farm country,” said Roberts. “Farmers, ranchers, and rural families understand fiscal responsibility.
They want to do their parts. But now is not the time for additional cuts.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the committee’s ranking Democrat, agreed with the chairman, saying: “More than 500 groups representing farmers, conservationists, rural communities, and food advocates wrote a letter that we should not make any further cuts, and I agree.” On the other side of the Capitol, lawmakers in the majority were a bit more receptive to Trump’s proposal, but still wary of its consequences to the agricultural community. U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, explained that he has “reservations about making counterproductive cuts, like those to farm policy and crop insurance,
which are programs of critical value to producers at a time of great economic uncertainty.”
U.S. Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MI), the committee’s ranking Democrat, stated that the president’s proposal “should be of concern to all rural Americans.” Moreover, he anticipated that the level of the cuts was such that they would erode the bipartisan support typically at play during this process. He went so far as to predict that “going down this path all but guarantees there will be no new farm bill.” The Agricultural Committees in both houses of Congress will continue to hold hearings on the farm bill throughout the rest of this year. A bill is not expected to be passed until 2018.
ACWA Provides Input on Rewrite of Waters of the U.S. Rule ACWA is engaging on a rewrite of the “Waters of the United States” rule after President Donald Trump on Feb. 28 issued an executive order remanding the WOTUS rule back to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for review and revision. The EPA is now soliciting feedback from states and local governments on how to
interpret the term “navigable waters,” as defined in the Clean Water Act in a manner consistent with the opinion of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia in the Rapanos decision. ACWA’s latest comments begin by acknowledging that during the prior rule development process, the agencies considered ACWA’s concerns and included specific exemptions in the Clean Water
Act for certain water conveyance systems and infrastructure. However, ACWA is now expressing concerns that these exemptions do not ensure that water supply conveyance and storage facilities will not be subject to CWA jurisdiction. ACWA’s comments recommend the following: • Water conveyance systems, including Continued on page 12
JUNE 16, 2017 • 5
DRINKING WATER Continued from page 1
on funding operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, which is more challenging to fund, and replacement water costs. •
The bill would not limit the funding to DACs. ACWA believes the bill should make it clear that funding eligibility is limited to disadvantaged communities in rural, unincorporated areas that do not have safe drinking water.
The funding sources currently proposed in the bill (such as voluntary contributions) are a placeholder. The author, Sen. William Monning (D-Carmel) has met with ACWA and others in the water community regarding the bill and potential funding sources, including a potential “ratepayer assessment.” ACWA expressed the need for the amendments noted above and explained that ACWA would oppose a ratepayer assessment (i.e., a tax or fee or public goods charge on water). ACWA also suggested that the state’s General Fund is a more appropriate source of funding for this important social issue. ACWA has expressed its willingness to continue to work with the author on language for the bill, including mutuallyagreeable funding sources. ACWA and many of its members have long been on record in opposition to a public goods charge on water. During the most recent legislative attempt to advance a tax on water in 2015, many ACWA member agencies adopted formal resolutions in opposition to public goods charge efforts. 6 • ACWANEWS
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Modesto Irrigation District Launches Groundwater Replenishment Program California’s record-breaking precipitation this year has allowed the Modesto Irrigation District to launch a program delivering surplus surface water to farmers within the Modesto Subbasin who are solely reliant on groundwater. The program is part of the district’s ongoing efforts to support the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The MID Board of Directors in May finalized details of the district’s 2017 Groundwater Replenishment Program, which includes the program’s pricing and its participation application. “This program is something different and out-of-the-box for MID and it supports California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s intention to empower local agencies to solve local problems with local resources,” said John Davids, assistant general manager of water operations for MID. The GRP is a voluntary program that allows MID to deliver surplus surface water to farmers within the Modesto Subbasin who are solely reliant on groundwater. The surface water is for agricultural use only and participants must demonstrate that the water will be put to beneficial uses at all times. MID was able to launch the GRP in part because of the abundance of precipitation
this season. The district’s watershed experienced over 70 inches of precipitation this season, which was approximately 200% of average precipitation to date. All of MID’s existing customers — agricultural and urban customers — also are able to utilize an uncapped water allocation this season. At its May 9 board meeting, the MID Board declared 2017 to be a surplus water year. “Sharing our surplus surface water supply this year with our neighbors that solely rely on groundwater will have a positive impact on groundwater resources within the Modesto Subbasin,” said MID Board President Nick Blom. “The GRP is just one of the innovative ways we continue our long-standing history of efficient and beneficial water use.” The program applies only to growers with already developed agricultural land and also includes growers within the district’s existing sphere of influence. Eligible landowners outside of MID’s irrigation boundaries can receive available surplus surface water at $60 per acre-foot. The GRP application and additional details can be found at www.mid.org.
Farmers Describe What Californians Should Know About Farming A panel of farmers from diverse regions of California described what they would like Californians to know about farming during a conversation-style Statewide Issue Forum May 10 at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey. Panelists were: Cannon Michael, president / CEO Bowles Farming Company; Aubrey Bettencourt, executive director, California Water Alliance; Jake Wenger, Modesto farmer and director at Modesto Irrigation District; and Greg Johnson, executive vice president, Far West Rice Inc. Dave Kranz, communications/news division manager, California Farm Bureau Federation, moderated the panel. Some excerpts from the panel discussion follow:
Q: If someone asked you about farming in the grocery store, what would you tell them? A: Michael: There are lots of meetings, managing time, people, resources. Bottom line, farmers are business people. A: Bettencourt: I say that farmers are the expert food, fiber, fuel producers in our economy…Everything around you comes from farming. California farming is security for our food supply.
Q: What would surprise people about farming in California today? A: Bettencourt: That we are inherently environmentally conscious or we wouldn’t be in business. We are ethical, using the best technology available and actually inventing technology for continuous improvement. A: Wenger: Farmers care. They are good employers and stewards of the environment. Our employees are like family and we treat them as such. A: Johnson: I think many folks would be very surprised by our innovation. Farmers have always been innovators, very quick to adapt to changing circumstances. That is
the name of the game. We are always looking for a better way to do our jobs.
Q: Lots of focus on agriculture during this drought… everything from crop choices to how much water, to not really being asked to “conserve” during this drought. How would you respond to some of the criticisms that have been raised? A: Wenger: The consumer determines what we grow. If they want persimmons, we become persimmon farmers. There is a direct correlation between what we grow and the market. Right now, there is a large demand for almonds and rice. A: Michael: We started with alfalfa and cotton, now we have numerous types of crops…always looking for a sustainable rotation that puts nitrogen naturally back into the soils. We understand our areas, soils, etc. and we experiment to stay ahead of it. A: Bettencourt: Farmers are chemists, business people, technology wizards. Part of what informs our decisions is our resources, projections on water that we will receive, workforce, timing to plant, etc. Many factors drive crop choices.
Q: You have all heard it. Farmers use 80% of the water in California. What do you say to that? A: Johnson: We are producing more and more, with less and less. For the future of mankind, we must produce food. Water helps produce food. A: Michael: Farmers transform water into a valuable product…food. A: Bettencourt: You hear that agriculture represents only 2% of the economy. The reality is that agriculture produces a $54 billion economy. The accurate statistics are that of the “developed” water available in the state, 50% goes for environmental purposes; 40% to ag and 10% to urban.
A panel of farmers talk about what they would like Californians to know about farming during a Statewide Issue Forum May 10 at ACWA’s Spring Conference. Panelists are: (l-r) Moderator Dave Kranz, California Farm Bureau Federation; Modesto farmer Jake Wenger; Aubrey Bettencourt, California Water Alliance; and Greg Johnson, Far West Rice, Inc.
A: Wenger: The 2% is farmgate only… it doesn’t include all of the inputs, the shipping, equipment used…the actual economic benefit is seven to 11 times that number. California is the number one producer, followed by Iowa, Texas. California is the sixth largest ag producer in the world.
Q: What about the notion that farming today is just big corporate agriculture? A: Wenger: You see more crop per drop than anywhere in the world in California. We are seeing consolidation into larger family farms. They become corporations to protect themselves. A: Kranz: Only 1.1% of farms in California are owned by non-family members.
Q: What were your takeaways from this past drought? A: Johnson: That technology will play an increasingly more important role. Also real time financing. A: Michael: That we had both increased friction but also better collaboration. We learned once again that we are stronger together. The drought has been a pivotal point in that evolution. A: Bettencourt: We must be more creative. We need to do a better job of representing ourselves to decision makers and build new partnerships. We must communicate more proactively. JUNE 16, 2017 • 7
Left: Santa Margarita Water District General Manager Dan Ferons highlights the innovative San Juan Watershed Project. Center: Environmental Scientist Ali Dunn discusses the environmental impacts of harmful algal blooms. Right: Senior Scientist at Cal Trout Jacob Katz draws attention to local projects in the Sacramento Valley that benefit both the local economy and the environment.
ACWA Regions Explore Toxic Algae, Functional Flows, Local Projects and More at 2017 Spring Conference & Exhibition ACWA Regions had a full schedule at ACWA’s 2017 Spring Conference in Monterey, which included all 10 regions hosting membership meetings and three regions hosting well-attended and intriguing region issue forums. The regional programs began on Wednesday, May 10, with Region 5’s program, “How to Combat Toxic Algae: Coming Soon to A Water Source Near You.” ACWA Water Quality Committee Chair Jill Duerig moderated the panel discussion which focused on surface water supply sources, managing public outreach and navigating water quality monitoring. The panelists included: State Water Resources Control Board Environmental Scientists Ali Dunn and Marisa Van Dyke, Alameda County Water District Water Operations Analyst Sara Maatta, and City of Watsonville Senior Utilities Engineer Jackie McCloud. On that same Wednesday afternoon, Region 2 hosted a program titled, “Functional Flows: The Value of Water on the
Landscape.” A panel of experts provided an overview of projects in the Sacramento Valley that utilize functional flows to return aquatic and terrestrial species to habitats that more closely resemble historic conditions. Northern California Water Association Governmental Affairs Director Todd Manley moderated the discussion, which included presentations and commentary from Audubon California Director of Land and Water Conservation Meghan Hertel, Cal Trout Senior Scientist Jacob Katz, and Western Canal Water District General Manager Ted Trimble. On Thursday, May 11, Region 10 hosted its program, “Watershed Optimization: Developing a Local Water Supply.” Brian Brady, chair of the ACWA Region 10 Board, moderated the program which explored the importance of watershed optimization projects in developing a local water supply. The audience heard from some of the agencies involved in local projects currently underway. City of San Diego Public Utilities Department
Deputy Director of the Long Range Planning and Water Resources Division Lan Wiborg, Santa Margarita Water District General Manager Dan Ferons and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Senior Water Resources Control Engineer Brandi Outwin-Beals served as panelists for this program. Thursday afternoon all 10 regions concluded conference with membership meetings. At the meetings, the region members were updated by their committee reporters, addressed regional governance business, and discussed upcoming regional activities. The memberships also were updated on ACWA’s 2017 Strategic and Business Plan priorities as well as ACWA JPIA activities. The presentations from region programs and the meeting notes from the membership meetings will be made available online at www.acwa.com. For more information about ACWA Regions, visit www.acwa.com/content/acwa-regions.
Call for Candidates for ACWA Region Boards Closes June 30 Want to become more involved in ACWA and serve your community at the same time? Join one of ACWA’s region boards. The call for candidates wishing to serve on ACWA region boards for the 2018-’19 term opened May 1 and will close on June 30. Interested candidates must submit a
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nomination form and a signed resolution of support from their agency’s board of directors to ACWA no later than June 30. Region election information and materials were emailed to ACWA member agency general managers and board presidents on May 1 and also are available on ACWA’s website at www.acwa. com/content/region-elections.
Each region chair and vice chair also sit on the ACWA statewide Board of Directors. For more information contact ACWA Regional Affairs Representatives: Michael Cervantes at michaelc@acwa.com, Brandon Ida at brandoni@acwa.com, or Member Services Specialist Ana Javaid at anaj@acwa.com.
FACES
OF
WATER
1
Describe your job.
I operate and maintain water orders throughout the 123-mile Coachella Branch of the All-American Canal. I help make sure water is distributed fairly to farmers through our 500 miles of underground pipeline. About 50% of my time is overseeing field operations and making sure we meet customer needs. The other 50% is administrative work in the office.
Have someone to profile? Please contact ACWA Senior Communications Specialist Pamela Martineau at pamelam@acwa.com.
Q&A
ANDY RUIZ
Senior Zanjero Coachella Valley Water District
2
What do you like best about your job?
3
How did you get into the water industry?
4
What is something unique about yourself?
5
What is your favorite hobby?
I enjoy the science and engineering it took to create the gravity-fed system. I have a lot of autonomy, and I take pride in being part of a water system that supports the $800 million agriculture industry in the Coachella Valley.
When I was in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, I learned to love country music.
Just before I was discharged from the Army in 2003, my sister suggested I apply for a job at Coachella Valley Water District, and I did. I had been thinking of becoming a sheriff’s deputy. I’m glad I didn’t.
I’m a big boxing fan and collect boxing memorabilia.
JUNE 16, 2017 • 9
CASE STUDY
Carmichael WD’s American River Pipeline Project: Meeting Regional Water Needs
Problem For more than 50 years, industrial solvents and other chemicals used during rocket manufacturing at the Aerojet campus in Rancho Cordova had been slowly infiltrating the groundwater beneath the facility, contaminating the water supply for nearby private water utility Golden State Water Company. In 2012, a multi-million dollar settlement was reached between Aerojet and Golden State in which the aerospace company agreed to provide the utility with replacement water and fund improvements to mitigate future contamination. But even with the settlement in place, Golden State Water Company still needed a regional partner with the know-how and resources to get the job done.
Solution Carmichael Water District fit the bill as a perfect partner. The district came to the project with 100 years of experience in the water industry, extensive expertise in permitting, regulatory compliance, engineering and development, and available capacity at its water treatment plant. Working “hand-in-hand” with Aerojet and Golden State through a publicprivate partnership, CWD took the lead in implementing an ambitious solution to Golden State’s problem – the American River Pipeline Conveyance Project. Not only would the project ensure a clean water supply for neighboring Golden State customers, it also would provide an additional water supply for CWD to help guard against future droughts. The $6.6 million project, which broke ground in summer 2015, works by allowing CWD to recover remediated Aerojet groundwater discharged to the American River, leverage existing capacity at its Bajamont Micro Filtration Water Treatment Plant to treat the water, and then deliver it to Golden State through a 7,400-foot pipeline. Construction of the pipeline, which weaves through an existing neighborhood and the American River Parkway at Rossmoor Bar 10 • ACWANEWS
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before crossing the American River upstream of Ancil Hoffman Park, presented some unique challenges, however. Sequencing the stages of construction, obtaining the required permitting, negotiating final agreements with private industry partners, and ensuring regulatory requirements were met — including converting the district’s existing public tax-exempt bonds into private bonds — proved to be quite the juggling act. Because the American River is a federally designated “wild and scenic” river, permitting for the project was lengthy and complicated. According to Carmichael Water District General Manager Steve Nugent, it took 21 months and support from U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) to get the permits needed for a specific portion of work only allowed during a 45-day window from September to October. The district also had to ensure continued public access to the American River Parkway during construction. This meant that 2,000 feet of pipeline that would have otherwise obstructed a bike path in the parkway had to be hoisted into the air to allow riders to pass beneath it – providing an intriguing sight for passersby! But despite these challenges, the district says it was happy to take the lead. “We look for opportunities to continue to push
Above: Using a special pressure drilling method to ensure that the river bed and channel remain undisturbed, CWD crews work to install a portion of the American River Pipeline Conveyance Project 80 feet below the American River bed. OPPOSITE PAGE
Left: Flanked by staff and project partners, CWD General Manager Steve Nugent (center) displays the district’s Sacramento Environmental Commission (SEC) Award on April 17. Joining him are: SEC’s Richard Hunn, CWD Board Members John Wallace and Mark Emmerson, Kennedy/ Jenks Consultants’ Alex Peterson, Golden State Water Company’s Paul Shubert and DWR’s Arthur Hinojosa. Right: To ensure continued access to a parkway bike trail during construction of the American River Pipeline Conveyance Project, Carmichael Water District opted to elevate the pipeline and allow riders to pass under the project.
our mission forward,” said Nugent, when asked why the district volunteered to spearhead the project. The project, he said, fits perfectly with the district’s commitment to finding local water supply reliability solutions through collaborative regional water management.
Tackling Existing Environmental Issues “There were also some existing environmental issues we wanted to correct. Since we were already pulling permits, this was a good time to do it,” he added. Those environmental issues included removing abandoned water assets along the American River, a commitment the district had made to the local community years earlier. The environmental restoration efforts included the removal of 400 feet of 22-inch diameter exposed steel pipe dating back to the 1950s, three concrete intake structures, a failing riveted steel culvert, and large buried valves. The district also reconnected an upstream riparian habitat that had long been separated from the primary American River channel by freefall discharge from a 65-year old culvert.
district officials say they are proud that CWD could honor its commitment to the community while at the same time providing clean water for area residents. “This award means everything to the district,” said CWD Public Information Officer Chris Nelson. “It means the greater community is watching and appreciates what’s being done by the district.” In addition to the SEC award, public response also has been positive, with several neighborhood newsletters praising the project. “A few times in your career you get to do a project like this,” said Nugent, while accepting the SEC award during a ceremony on April 17. The project, which became fully operational in January 2017, now delivers 4.5 million gallons of treated water per day — with a total delivery of 5,000 acre-feet per year — to Golden State. Above and beyond that, the pipeline also provides 2,200 acre-feet per year of droughtresilient emergency water supply for CWD. “The project is working flawlessly. It’s meeting all of the demands. There have been no hitches in operation. It’s very successful,” said Nugent.
Because the Aerojet settlement did not include this aspect of the project, the district funded the $600,000 environmental restoration with assistance from the Regional Water Authority using monies from a larger Proposition 84 regional grant.
With the pipeline complete, the district now has turned its eye towards future regional efforts – working to develop water projects with the Fair Oaks Water District, Del Paso Manor Water District, and Sacramento County Water Agency, as well as a new project with Golden State.
Project Captures Environmental Award With a new Sacramento Environmental Commission award for their restoration efforts,
“When you have a successful project, you become very popular,” said Nugent.
DISTRICT FACTS Location Carmichael, CA Established 1916 Number of Employees 27 full-time employees Service Area and Connections Eight square miles of service area providing water to more than 37,899 people Facilities Four active groundwater wells, three water storage facilities and the Bajamont Micro Filtration Water Treatment Plant Water Sources Groundwater and surface water diverted from the lower American River Notable Projects • Bajamont Water Treatment Plant expansion •
District-wide Meter Installation Project
•
2015 Master Plan, Business Plan, and Rate Study
Website www.carmichaelwd.org
JUNE 16, 2017 • 11
Save Our Water Public Education Campaign Continues with TV and Radio Advertisements Save Our Water’s $500,000 spring paid media campaign has entered its final phase with weather sponsorships on NBC stations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Palm Springs, and the Bay Area. The ads, which are airing during select weather segments, are part of the “Small Changes. Big Impact” campaign and focus on simple daily habits and easy permanent changes both in and outside the house. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is co-sponsoring the ads in the Los Angeles and San Diego markets and the Coachella Valley Water District is co-sponsoring ads running in Palm Springs. The NBC weather sponsorship will run through the end of June. Though 30-second radio ads have concluded as part of the campaign, 15-second traffic and weather sponsorships continue on radio stations statewide. The “Small Changes. Big
Impact” campaign also is being featured as part of sponsorships on NPR stations Capital Public Radio in Sacramento and KPCC in Los Angeles. These sponsorships also will conclude at the end of June. SOW will kick off a digital video campaign this month to show Californians that water conservation still
matters and is easier than they think. The videos are part of a partnership with McClatchy News and will be featured on news sites in addition to the Save Our Water website and the program’s social media platforms. Additionally, the videos will be available for download and use locally from the SOW Toolkit at www.saveourwater.com/toolkit.
State Water Board to Hold Public Meetings on Affordable Water The State Water Resources Control Board will hold a second series of public meetings seeking input on program scenarios that could provide affordable drinking water to lowincome Californians as mandated by AB 401(Dodd). Public comments on possible program scenarios also will be accepted until July 31.
The State Water Board’s public workshops are scheduled for June 20 in Riverside, June 27 in Salinas, June 28 in Oakland, July 12 in Los Angeles, and July 10 in Sacramento. Times and specific locations of the meetings as well as a link to program scenarios that will be presented may be found at www.waterboards. ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ conservation_portal/assistance/docs/
pub_not_ab401_round2.pdf. Questions and comments may be directed to Mary Yang at (916) 322-6507 or Mary. Yang@waterboards.ca.gov. In the subject line please include “Comment Letter – LIRA Program Scenarios.” .
Continued from page 5
aqueducts and ditches, be excluded from the revised definition of “Waters of the United States.” • Ephemeral streams, such as desert washes and dry arroyos, be excluded from the revised definition of “Waters of the United States,” and the agencies should reissue all guidance and field 12 • ACWANEWS
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documents describing them as such; and • Water infrastructure, such as recycled water facilities, groundwater recharge basins, stormwater retention basins, and constructed wetlands, adjacent to “Waters of the United States” should be excluded from jurisdiction.
ACWA’s conclusion states “Addressing the specific concerns presented in this letter is consistent with the CWA and its implementing regulations, as well as the ruling by Justice Scalia in Rapanos and will help ensure water quality is protected without imposing unnecessary new burdens on the public water agencies.” .
MEMBER NEWS
East Valley WD Employees Provide Shoes for 70 Local Students As part of its ongoing community engagement and public service efforts, East Valley Water District employees in May hosted a shoe drive and provided 70 elementary school students with a new pair of shoes. EVWD’s school program, now in its fifth year, supports Jefferson Hunt Elementary School in San Bernardino. In 2015, EVWD made its adoption of the school official as part of the Adopta-School program partnership. Over the years, the district also has donated school supplies, sweatshirts, jackets, and clothing to students. “There is no greater joy than to see the smile on these children’s faces,” said EVWD CEO/General Manager John Mura in a statement. “I am honored to be able to partner with our local community and meet our next generation of leaders.” .
East Valley Water District General Manager/CEO John Mura ties the laces on new shoes for a student at Jefferson Hunt Elementary School during the district’s shoe drive.
State Launches Strategy to Aid Salmon, Steelhead in Central Valley The California Natural Resources Agency on June 2 released its strategy to aid threatened native salmon and trout species in the Sacramento and Central valleys through actions that include restoring habitat, improving stream flow, removing stream barriers and reintroducing species to ideal habitat.
mechanism to help implement objectives set by the State Water Resources Control Board as it updates its 20-year-old water quality plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay, the press release states. The update involves standards for salinity and requiring seasonal flows of certain levels.
Separately, as directed by the Gov. Jerry Brown, state agencies also are working to achieve voluntary settlements among water users along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and tributaries as a way to help salmon and trout species. According to a press release from the Resources Agency, the state’s aim is to have water districts that divert from these streams reach agreements that improve flow, stream temperature, and habitat conditions for salmon and steelhead. Such voluntary agreements could serve as a possible
According to a Resources Agency press release, the newly released science-based strategy addresses near- and long-term needs of Sacramento River runs of sea-going fish, focusing primarily on endangered winter-run Chinook salmon, threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon and threatened Central Valley steelhead. In a recent study, the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences concluded that if present trends continue, nearly 45% of the 32 species of the state’s native salmon and trout could
be extinct within 50 years. Habitat loss, water diversions, dams, and the warmer temperatures brought on by climate change pose major threats to these species. The recent five years of drought also worsened conditions. The Salmon Resiliency Strategy relies heavily on the 2014 final recovery plan drafted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, which is responsible for recovery of sea-going fish under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Other state and federal plans also support the strategy, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s 2016 Battle Creek Winter-Run Chinook Salmon Reintroduction Plan. RESOURCE
resources.ca.gov/sacramento-valleysalmon-resiliency-strategy/
JUNE 16, 2017 • 13
MEMBER NEWS
Partnership Develops Unique Howe Park Water-Wise Gardens Water-wise demonstration gardens are now on display at Howe Park thanks to a new partnership project involving the Sacramento Suburban Water District, the Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District, and EcoLandscape California. The partners celebrated the grand opening of the gardens May 13 with a ribboncutting ceremony, guided tours and free gift bags filled with gardening tools for the first 100 attendees. The demonstration gardens feature four unique, state-of-the-art, low water use landscapes that demonstrate how residents can grow landscapes that use less water, require less work, attract beneficial wildlife, hold and filter rain water, provide year-round color and even provide food, scents and herbs. The four landscapes are: Sensible Switchover — representing the layout of most Sacramento residential front yards but featuring low-water plants and low-maintenance solutions perfect for the Sacramento region’s climate.
Wilder Wonders — a wilder, less structured garden filled with color and texture designed to provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and bees. Water Works — a working rain garden that shows how plants can take in, filter and hold rain water in the soil to prevent excess run-off.
The grand opening of the gardens at Howe Park is marked by cutting ribbons with golden gardening sheers. (l-r): Sacramento Suburban Water District Water Conservation Supervisor Greg Bundesen, SSWD Board Member Neil Schild, Fulton-El Camino Recreation and Park District General Manager Mike Grace, Park District Board Member Teresa Higgins, SSWD Board Vice President Craig Locke, Park District Board Member Laura Lavaillee, Park District Board Member Michael Seaman and EcoLandscape California Executive Director Marian Bender.
Effortless Edibles — featuring attractive low-water edibles, herbs and aromatics for table and home. Each of the gardens also features informational signage that identifies the plants and offers tips to help visitors
bring the garden’s benefits to their own landscape. Each sign includes a QR code link to an audio tour of the garden that can be accessed through a smart phone. For more information about please visit www.sswd.org.
Moulton Niguel WD Receives Award for Data-Driven Programs The Moulton Niguel Water District was honored in May with a “Golden Hub of Innovation Award” by the Association of California Cities – Orange County. The award recognized the district for its leadership with the California Data Collaborative and its innovation in developing water reliability and demand management programs while promoting ratepayer savings and efficacy. Two key district projects were highlighted in the award recognition – a water demand forecasting tool which has helped save MNWD nearly $20 million in recycled water infrastructure investments, and a tool to integrate storm drain flow data to understand and maximize opportunities to reduce 14 • ACWANEWS
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dry-weather flows through water use efficiency programs. “Thank you to the ACC-OC for this prestigious recognition,” said MNWD Board President Donald R. Froelich during the May 12 awards ceremony. “This great accomplishment not only helps provide agencies with access to data in a transparent, secure and efficient manner, but also highlights the importance of collaboration across many agencies and organizations.” Learn more about the Moulton Niguel Water District at www.mnwd.com and California Data Collaborative at www.californiadatacollaborative.org.
Moulton Niguel Water District Board Member Duane Cave displays the district’s Golden Hub of Innovation Award. Also pictured are: (l-r) California Data Collaborative’s Patrick Atwater, Cave and ACC-OC’s Heather Stratman and Steve Jones.
PEOPLE NEWS OBITUARY
IRWD Loses Long-Serving General Counsel Joan Arneson Irvine Ranch Water District in May announced the passing of long-time staff member Joan Arneson, who first began work at the district in 1978 and had served as general counsel since 1984. Joan Arneson
“We have lost one of California’s best, someone who’s impact on the entire water community will be felt for a very long time,” said IRWD Board President Douglas Reinhart in a statement. “Her wise, yet creative, legal counsel thoughtfully and successfully guided IRWD for decades.” During her 39 years with the district, Arneson worked on a wide variety of issues including budget based rate structures, recycled water and environmental policy, water banking, energy OBITUARY
Joshua Basin WD Director Victoria Fuller Passes Joshua Basin Water District Board Member Victoria Fuller, who is described as a “champion for Joshua Tree’s water,” passed away in March. She served on the Joshua Basin Water District’s Board of Directors since 2012. Victoria Fuller
Fuller was a retired engineer and a long time Joshua Tree resident for 22 years. During her tenure on the board, Fuller was instrumental in the development of the district’s aquifer’s recharge project. She also led negotiations on the contractual terms for the first municipal package treatment plant in Joshua Tree, worked to obtain funding to address the district’s Chromium 6 compliance mandates, served on
storage systems, and special district finance. According to the district, her guidance influenced nearly every project and program implemented by IRWD during her tenure. Arneson also served on various legal and policy committees for the ACWA, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the California WateReuse Association, helping craft important water policy legislation and regulations. In 2011, she was awarded an IRWD Certificate of Commendation as a key partner in service from the Board of Directors of the Irvine Ranch Water District. “Joan’s creative, solid counsel on technical solutions to policies and projects provided an incalculable benefit to both the agency and our customers,” said IRWD General Manager Paul Cook. “She was a friend and a colleague. She will be missed.” . the district’s Rules and Regulations Committee, and helped shepherd programs to impact water conservation in Joshua Tree. “Director Fuller was deeply committed and invested in the welfare of our community for many years and on many fronts. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family and many close friends,” said Mickey Luckman, JBWD board president. “She will be truly missed.” Fuller also served on the Morongo Basin Conservation Association, the Joshua Tree Community Association, the Open Space organization, the Desert Night Skies organization, and ACWA’s Communications Committee. She also played a key role in the success of California’s legislated ban on bobcat hunting.
EMPLOYMENT District Manager
with 495-unit Delta Coves development. Provides levee, drainage, flood protection to Delta “legacy community” of Bethel Island.
Increased Salary $88.500-$105,000 annually DOQ, Plus Benefits
Administrative and/or technical local government or special district background, notably in smaller agencies, B.A., B.S., MPA or MBA a plus. Deadline 5:00 P.M. June 30, 2017. Cover letter, resume to ljbutzlaff@yahoo.com. Information (925) 6842210. Formal Brochure available.
Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District
Unique professional opportunity to lead BIMID in implementing its new Proposition 218 Assessment District (including $12 million in new DWR levee project funding), and new Operations Agreement
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 Lien-Mager at lisalm@acwa.com or 916.441.4545.
JUNE 16, 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
PPIC Report: California Urban Water Suppliers Well Prepared for Recent Drought — 06/08/2017 Wild and Scenic Rivers Bill Becomes Two-Year Bill — 06/02/2017 State Launches Strategy to Aid Salmon, Steelhead in the Sacramento and Central Valleys — 06/02/2017 State Water Board to Hold Public Meetings on Affordable Drinking Water Programs — 06/01/2017
TWITTER CHATTER Water Deeply@WaterDeeply • June 9 • #California’s Delta Poised to Become Massive Carbon Bank http://newsdp.ly/2rJdZiU TID@TurlockID • June 6 • On this day in 1887, TID officially became the first irrigation district in California.
UPCOMING EVENTS 1
VISIT ACWA.COM FOR COMPLETE LISTING
JULY 2017 23 – 27
SEPTEMBER 2017 13 – 14 Headwaters tour presented by Water Education Foundation
will head up into the foothills and the mountains to examine water issues that happen upstream but have dramatic impacts downstream and throughout the state. For more information go to www.acwa.com/events/headwaters-tour-2017.
15
ACWA@ACWAWater • May 31 • Santa Barbara desal plant delivers seawater to the tap.
7th Annual Steve Hall Fierce Competitor Golf Tournament will be held at the DarkHorse Golf Club in Auburn, CA. This event help raise funds for the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship and for ALS research. More information to come.
OCTOBER 2017 11 – 13 Northern California Tour presented by the Water Education
Foundation, this tour will explore the Sacramento River and its tributaries through a scenic landscape and allow participants to learn about the issues associated with a key source for the state’s water supply. For more information go to www.watereducation. org/tour/northern-california-tour-2017.
PPIC Water@PPICWater • Jun 5 • New approaches to managing water for entire ecosystems will be needed as climate changes Reg Water Auth@RWAh2o • Jun 5 • The State is considering whether to require permanent water conservation rules developed & enforced by regulators
11th International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse hosted by National Water Research Institute, Water Environment and Research Foundation, and WateReuse California will be held in Long Beach, CA. For more information go to iwareuse2017.org.
NOVEMBER 2017 1 – 2 San Joaquin River Restoration Tour presented by the Water
Education Foundation, this tour will explore the San Joaquin River to learn firsthand about one of the nation’s largest and most expensive river restoration plans. For more information go to www.watereducation.org/tour/san-joaquin-river-restorationtour-2017.
28 – Dec. 1
ACWA 2017 Fall Conference & Exhibition will be at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel in Anaheim. Further details to come.