Water Association of Yolo County March 7, 2011 Woodland, CA Timothy Quinn Executive Director
Headlines
The Delta – Vital to Economy, Environment Sacramento Sacramento River Stockton San Joaquin San River Francisco
2009 Comprehensive Water Legislation A Framework for Solutions
A Comprehensive State Policy for California’s Water Future Co-equal Goals Delta Policy • Governance • Conveyance • BDCP Statewide Policy • Storage • Conservation • Groundwater monitoring • Water Rights Finance
Elements of a Comprehensive Solution All of the Above Local resource investment Delta conveyance solutions to for new water stabilize reliability Additional storage for Habitat and Watershed co-equal goals restoration
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? • The Great Flow debate • “Reasonable Use” doctrine
The Great Flow Debate • Interim Instream Flow Criteria Report • Narrow scope, no balancing • 75% of unimpaired Delta outflow Jan-June • 75% of unimpaired Sac River inflow Nov-June • 60% of unimpaired San Joaquin River inflow Feb-June • Non binding...but life of its own “The Science Has Spoken”
Impacts of Flow Criteria Water Supply: • Up to 6 MAF loss • Overall reduction of 70% from entire watershed Environmental Impacts: • Cold water pool reduced • Local restoration disrupted • Groundwater depletion Energy Generation: • Hydroelectric generation capacity reduced The Science Has Not Spoken
Civil War? Again?
Getting Back on Track • Déjà vu: Do we need another Bay-Delta Accord? • Move flow-related issues to better arena • Results consistent with co-equal goals • ACWA process to organize water users
The “Reasonable Use” Doctrine • “The 10 percent solution” • “Small changes in agricultural water use efficiency can produce significant amounts of ‘wet’ water” • “Agricultural can save 2- 6 MAF…easy”
Is This Happening Everywhere?
ACWA Supports Reasonable Water Use ACWA strongly supports the efficient use of agricultural and urban water.
“On Farm Efficiency” vs. Basin Efficiency Local use unreasonable 3 units Water use = 1 unit Efficiency = 33% Farmer A Water use = 1 unit Farmer B Efficiency = 50% Water use = 1 unit Efficiency = 100% Refuge A Basin Efficiency = 100%
Just Because You’re Paranoid…
Civil War? Again?
We Haven’t Forgotten Efficiency Ag Water Management Council Ag Water Suppliers Academia Government Agencies Growers Industry Technology suppliers and irrigation consultants
Maximizing Efficient Water Use • Rely on market forces • Incentive -based policies • NOT regulatory command and control
The Challenge Continues Stay Tuned…
Contact Timothy Quinn Executive Director 916.441.4545 Timq@acwa.com Association of California Water Agencies www.acwa.com
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