(The Center Square) – The California Water Commission has released their strategic plan for the next five years on how they will work to ensure California’s water supply as drought continues and climate change takes its toll on the state.
“It is well known that water in California is a complicated, thorny issue,” reads the plan. “As California’s climate gets hotter and its weather more extreme, water issues could become more fraught and contentious.”
Additionally, a recent survey from the Public Policy Institute of California found that climate change is the most important environmental issue to Californians with 82% being concerned that climate change will cause a drought. However, very few think that the government can properly handle California’s water woes.
The plan outlines the Commission’s goals for the next five years – continue to operate as the administrator of the Water Storage Investment Program, focus on historically disenfranchised perspectives when engaging communities on projects, use its public forum to hold discussions on complicated water issues, enhance its advisory role to director of the Department of Water Resources and continue to report on the State Water Project.
Implement the Water Storage Investment Program to achieve public benefits
The Commission established the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) in 2014, using money from the $2.7 billion Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act. This program invests in innovative and modern ways to store water.
“Since 2014, the importance of modernizing water storage has become even more important as Californians face ‘weather whiplash’ – severe droughts followed in short order by intensive wet periods – and the need to shore up infrastructure in the face of climate change,” reads the plan.
The Commission states that they will work to analyze current projects asking for WSIP funding, determine if they are able to receive it, where it will come from and establish time frames for those projects. By 2029, the Commission aims to consider final funding awards for all of the remaining unfunded projects.
Support smart water management through outreach, engagement and a commitment to equity
A goal of the Commission is to increase engagement and include all stakeholders when discussing critical water management decisions. To do this, they will use their public forum to provide interested parties with the opportunity to engage in decision making and increase outreach towards tribes and other historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Additionally, by 2029, the Commission aims to have created an equity framework that will be applied to all items under consideration.
Utilize public forum to explore pressing water management issues
The Commission would also like to encourage stakeholders in California’s water future to brief the Commission on critical water issues that relate to adapting California’s water system to a changing hydrology. The Commission also wants to put more emphasis on discussing integrated watershed management, water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and flood management.
Additionally, the Commission will evaluate the progress towards implementing the California Salmon Strategy and California’s Water Supply Strategy in addition to other strategies recently proposed to state leaders.
The Commission would also like to have a role in line with statutory authority by 2027 when it comes to flood advocacy.
Work with the DWR to implement the strategic plan
The Commission would like to see a stronger partnership between themselves and the DWR, working with the department to leverage outreach and requesting briefings from DWR staff and experts. They aim to be an advisor to the DWR director by 2029.
Additionally, by 2028 the Commission aims to identify and map where there are interconnections and dependencies of DWR-owned or controlled infrastructure systems and identify where areas of flood control work are needed in the Delta.
Exercise statutory authorities to ensure transparency, accountability and sound public processes
One of the Commission’s main responsibilities is to oversee and create transparency around the State Water Project (SWP) which captures water from Northern California and delivers it throughout the state.
They would like to enhance their role with the SWP to hold hearings for additional SWP facilities, review and consider regulations proposed by the DWR and facilitate public participation in the process and review the DWR’s domain proceedings for consistency with civil standards.
The Commission is made up of nine members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Seven of those members must have general expertise in the control, storage and best use of water. The other two are chosen for their knowledge of the environment. The Commission releases a strategic plan every five years, outlining their goals and accountability efforts.
