Drought Information
The State’s unprecedented drought continues to be at the forefront of the Administration and Legislature’s 2015 agenda. As expected, the Governor has issued drought-related executive orders, the State Water Resources Control Board has adopted emergency regulations, and legislators have introduced a wide array of legislation aimed at modifying and restricting behavior and past practices.
CSAC is actively engaged in all of these processes to ensure county interests are represented. We are also sponsoring and participating in a wide range of educational forums and briefings throughout the state.
Studies
“Impact of the Drought in the San Joaquin Valley of California”. (Fresno State)
“California’s Water: Managing Drought” (PPIC)
Land Subsidence from Groundwater Use in California (California Water Foundation)
“U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook” (August 20 – November 30, 2015 NWS)
EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
Adopted Emergency Regulations – May 6, 2015 – The State Water Resources Control Board has adopted its drought-related emergency regulation to achieve 25 percent conservation pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order. The regulation will ensure that water suppliers, their customers, and state residents increase water conservation. The link above is for the unmarked regulation. A copy with the changes from the April 28 proposal are also available.
CSAC’s Comment Letter on Proposed Emergency Regulations — May 4, 2015 – CSAC’s comments to the State Water Resources Control Board reiterated our call for adjustments related to health- and safety-related government facilities and activities.
As widely reported, the water conservation targets are tiered, so that communities with higher per capita water usage are generally subject to greater cuts. The Board has made available information including each water supplier’s water production for 2013 and 2014, savings between those years, and the supplier’s tier in both PDF and Excel formats. You can also see the Board’s economic impact analysis and their frequently asked questions (FAQ).
CSAC’s Comment Letter on Proposed Emergency Regulations — April 22, 2015 - CSAC’s comments on the Governor’s Executive Order, urging that credits be available to districts that serve government sites that are less able to reduce water usage, such as jails and hospitals.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
On May 4, the USDA announced that $235 million is now available for innovative new conservations programs for projects that improve soil health, preserve clean water, combat drought, and protect wildlife habitat.
WATER RESTRICTIONS
The State Water Resources Control Board is curtailing the rights of junior water-right holders in the Sacramento River watershed and the Delta, as they announced on May 1. Those junior water-right holders must stop diverting water so that it can flow to senior water-right holders.
OTHER CSAC NEWS
CSAC Participates in Statewide Drought Briefing: The CSAC Bulletin – April 10, 2015
additional resources
State of California Drought Website
State Department of Water Resources Website
State Office of Planning & Research Water Website
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Website
State Water Board Drought Regulations
California Water Commission: Proposition 1 Water Storage Investment Program
DFW Drought Response Implementation Plan: The Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its drought response implementation plan third quarter update. The report details how the $38 million the department received in the Governor’s budget is being spent to protect, monitor and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats through this unprecedented drought. Report
California Water Commission Meeting — May 19-20: The meeting will include a working session on the Water Storage Investment Plan. Agenda
Senate Democrats Letter to Governor Brown – Actions to
Address California’s Historic
Drought. Senate
Letter
