Community leaders and residents throughout Central Basin’s service area got a firsthand look at water conveyance by visiting intake facilities and a storage reservoir at Parker Dam.

The educational trips, which are sponsored by Metropolitan and offered throughout the year to MWD Board Members, are a great way for us to get to know our community while increasing water awareness. Central Basin’s two representatives on the Metropolitan Water District Board include Director Leticia Vasquez and Director Robert Apodaca.

With all of these areas straining the future of California’s water supply, DWR in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers developed a Climate Change Handbook for Water Planning. Statewide strategies for adaptation include promoting the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, enhancing ecosystems, expanding water storage resources and fixing water quality and ecosystem conditions of the Delta. These strategies can be found on DWR’s website at: http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/.

The Central MWD Caucus is a great way to stay informed on important water issues and to network with leaders throughout the region. To be part of future Central MWD Caucus meetings, sign up to receive notifications by visiting the homepage of our website and click on the “Stay Connected” area.

Image of the Colorado River Aqueduct

A variety of sessions were held, one in particular titled “How will the BDCP work?” included panelists from various agencies who talked about the affordability of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), while identifying improvements for fish and wildlife. Reference was made to the Delta Conservancy, a Delta dialogue group working together to find out what everyone’s interest is.  The session concluded with:  It is possible to restore fisheries under the BDCP and it is possible to achieve an abundance of fish population.  Storing water is also important in California, but the dynamics of water flowing through the Bay Delta must be fixed first. As we previously blogged on this subject, the U.S. Geological survey predicts a 63% chance of experiencing a major earthquake in the next 30 years, which can remind us that it is not an issue of “if” – but rather an issue of “when”. The Bay Delta is a key water supply for Californian’s and is home to some of the nation’s most productive farming land. Often referred to as “America’s Fruit Basket”, more than 50% of the US vegetables, fruits and nuts are grown here in California.  

On the topic of “California and Mexico: A new era of partnership on the Colorado River”, much discussion took place on developments that have occured with the Colorado River partnership between Mexico and California. Historic negotiations took place in 2010 under a new agreement that identifies how Mexico can store water in Lake Mead, participate in drought and surplus management, increase water conservation efforts, sharing of conserved water and much more. The Metropolitan Water District has kept our stakeholders informed of many developments pertaining to the Colorado River at our past Central MWD Caucus meetings.

Representatives from the State Water Resources Control Board shared improvements during the past five years in the session on “Managing Water Runoff: Compliance is not a dirty word”.  The SWRCB and the US Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for regulating runoff and treatment of stormwater in industrial, municipal and residential areas through the state. Stormwater can be used as a resource while reducing pollutants, fertilizers, debris and other material that can be carried into drainage systems. Innovative approaches have been developed in managing stormwater runoff that includes regulation of pre-production plastics, low impact development and green infrastructure.  

In a discussion wrapping up the conference, members of the press collectively reminded the group to appreciate this wonderful state in which we live and further encouraged perspectives that all Californian’s should be proudly dry and proudly western!

Central Basin is committed to supporting and promoting activities that encourage our residents to learn more about their role in protecting our environment.  For instance, last weekend, we participated in the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County’s 2013 Earth Day event in Whittier.  This is an amazing event for residents of our region to visit with over 50 exhibitors, participate in workshops and various arts and crafts activities as well as view several performances.  Each year, the event is attended by thousands of residents from our community. 

This year, we were able to host a booth and interact with many visitors who were interested in learning about water related issues, such as conservation.  Thanks to all those who stopped by to visit!

If you did not have the opportunity to visit our booth, come see us at the upcoming outreach events in the Central Basin service area:

• El Rancho Unified School District Health Fair 
• South Gate Earth Day Event

For more information on outreach events, please visit http://www.centralbasin.org/

Did you know that over 50% of water is used outside to irrigate grass landscapes? Central Basin and the Metropolitan Water District offers cash incentives for you to remove existing grass and replace it with low-water use native plants.  Please visit our Conservation website for more information.

California native gardens create many benefits for our environment and are useful towards protecting our watershed and sustaining native bird and butterfly populations. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to tour over 40 blooming gardens!

Much emphasis was made with respect to co-equal goals and how they are the cornerstone of California water policy.  With evolving environmental rules and water policy, co-equal goals require a new approach and a need to rethink how we manage water and the environment – from one end of the state to the other.  In a short interview with Tim, he discusses major water supply shortages facing our state, stressing risks of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta and how the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is developed to improve water supply levels, reduce risks and offers a prospect to significantly improve the quality of water.

During the March meeting, we learned more about the economic and environmental impacts of ocean desalination.  Conner Everts, Executive Director of the Southern California Watershed Alliance and co-chair of the Desal Response Group provided a look at operating costs, environmental impacts and massive energy consumption with ocean desalination projects.  Additionally, a statewide water supply update was provided on the storage conditions for the Colorado River, which have decreased significantly at Lake Powell and Lake Mead. With the Sierra Nevada snowpack down 66% of what it should be – we could only hope for another March Miracle.

Held monthly, the Central MWD Caucus is an ideal forum for regional participation discussing water supply issues that matter most to our area.  Save the date for the next meeting:  Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Over the next few weeks Central Basin will be at school board meetings throughout our service area to show our support for four special high school teams that were selected to participate in Solar Cup, the nation’s largest solar powered boat competition. Participating students gain hands-on experience while learning about important environmental and water resources issues. Working in teams, they build their leadership and communications skills while increasing their knowledge of engineering, math and science. Solar Cup is also part of Central Basin’s award-winning education programs.

On Monday, February 26, 2013, Central Basin presented Norwalk – La Mirada School District with a check for Norwalk High School’s Solar Cup team. The $2,500 will help the team with expenses associated with the competition.
Central Basin Director, Bob Apodaca, who represents the city of Norwalk on the Central Basin Board of Directors, was on hand to present the check and provide brief remarks on Solar Cup. A video on Solar Cup was also shown. It was great to join students, parents, educators, staff and the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education in celebrating the Norwalk High School team.

We are proud to be sponsoring four teams in our community. They are the Applied Technology Center (Montebello), Firebaugh High School (Lynwood), Norwalk High School (Norwalk) and Paramount High School / West Campus (Paramount). Our teams will be competing against high schools throughout Southern California in May at Lake Skinner in Temecula. We wish them all great success!

We hope that you can join us in May at Lake Skinner to support our teams!

Additionally, the group took a look at the epicenter of California’s water system, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta and how the Delta could easily be disrupted by a major earthquake or natural disaster. The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is a science based plan geared towards protecting water supplies for a population of over 25 million people throughout the state.  The U.S. Geological survey predicts a 63% chance of experiencing a major earthquake in the next 30 years, which can remind us that it is not an issue of “if”, but an issue of “when”.  More facts and figures on the BDCP can be found by clicking here. You can also share your support in protecting water supplies of our future by downloading an Individual Support Form or an Organizational Support Form.

Attendees also heard from Central Basin’s very own Dave Hill who provided an update on California’s water supply conditions and drought conditions in the United States . He provided an update on the very dry conditions of the Colorado River as well, noting that the overall storage level has dropped significantly.

The Central Basin MWD Caucus is a great way to stay informed on important water issues and to network with leaders throughout the region. To be part of future Central Basin MWD Caucus meetings contact Joseph at josephl@centralbasin.org  we will keep you informed of future meetings.

The value of water should be celebrated like a holiday everyday but there is one month in particular that revolves around water.  May is Water Awareness Month, a time to remind everyone about the significance and value of water.  Each year as a part of this celebration, Central Basin in partnership with Metropolitan Water District, sponsors a water conservation poster contest for students in grades 4^th – 8^th. 

This week, the winning posters from last year transformed Central Basin headquarters into an art gallery. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by, check out this slideshow featuring the winning posters!  Ana Resnick, the District’s poster contest winner and the founder Arts2Cure is featured in the beginning of the video.  Congratulations to Ana and all students, keep designing artwork and conserving water!