Tim Quinn, Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) — November Meeting Recap

tim_quinnThe November meeting speaker was Timothy Quinn, Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). With offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., ACWA is a statewide association whose 450 local public water agency members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California.

Mr. Quinn gave a very insightful summary of current water issues relevant to our specific area and to the State as a whole including:

  • A review of drought conditions and the ways that drought has focused attention
  • Governor Brown’s Leadership on a Comprehensive Water Action Plan
  • Voter-Approved Water Bond
  • Historic Groundwater Legislation

Tim presented the following graphic, dated November 4, 2014, prepared by USDA and NOAA demonstrating that 80% of the State is now in Extreme Drought and 55% is in Exceptional Drought.

drought

The water crisis has focused the attention of legislators and voters who have approved some major policy issues. The Statewide Water Action Plan represents a plan to invest in a comprehensive program to achieve the coequal goals and prepare for future droughts. In summary, the Comprehensive Water Strategy includes the following six points:

  • Conserve more
  • Store more
  • Fix the Delta
  • Manage groundwater
  • Provide safe drinking water
  • Invest in habitat and watersheds

The Water Bond appeared as Proposition 1 on the November 2014 election. The Water Bond is a $7.545 billion package that includes the following allocations:

  • Storage = $2.7 billion
  • Local Resources = $2.434 billion
  • Watersheds/Flood Management = $1.89 billion
  • Safe Drinking Water = $520 million

Historic Groundwater Legislation was passed in 2014 in the form of three separate bills: two by State Senator Pavley and one by State Assemblyman Dickinson. The intent of the new Groundwater Legislation is the following:

  • Commit the state to sustainable groundwater management
  • Promote local control
  • Require groundwater sustainability plans in high and medium use basins
  • Authorize management tools for local agencies
  • Create a State level “backstop” to monitor local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies for compliance
  • Define time frames for accomplishing goals

As the leader of the largest statewide association representing water agencies, Mr. Quinn was able to present an excellent overview of current water issues for the State of California.

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Author: Editorial Team