Boards & Commissions

DWR works with a number of other boards and commissions to ensure a safe, sustainable water supply for California.

The California Water Commission (Water Commission) and Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), part of the California Natural Resources Agency with DWR, function independently from DWR on specific advisory or regulatory issues. 

California Water Commission

The California Water Commission consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Seven members are chosen for their expertise related to the control, storage, and beneficial use of water and 2 are chosen for their knowledge of the environment. The Water Commission advises the Director of DWR on matters within the Department’s jurisdiction, approves rules and regulations, and monitors and reports on the construction and operation of the State Water Project. California’s comprehensive water legislation, approved by voters in 2014, gave the Water Commission new responsibilities regarding the distribution of public funds set aside for the public benefits of water storage projects, and developing regulations for the quantification and management of those benefits.

Central Valley Flood Protection Board

The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) is the state regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that appropriate standards are met for the construction, maintenance, and protection of the flood control system that protects life, property, and wildlife habitat in California’s vast and diverse Central Valley from the devastating effects of flooding. CVFPB issues encroachment permits and works with other agencies to improve the flood protection structures, enforces removal of problematic encroachments, and keeps watch over the Central Valley’s continually improving flood management system. 

State Water Resources Control Board

DWR also works closely with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and 9 Regional Water Quality Control Boards (regional boards) on a variety of water management issues. The Water Board and regional boards, part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, operate independently from DWR.

The State Water Board was created by the Legislature in 1967. The mission of the Water Board is to ensure the highest reasonable quality for waters of the State, while allocating those waters to achieve the optimum balance of beneficial uses. The joint authority of water allocation and water quality protection enables the Water Board to provide comprehensive protection for California's waters.

The Water Board consists of 5 full-time salaried Members, each filling a different specialty position. Each board member is appointed to a 4-year term by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

There are 9 Regional Boards. The mission of the Regional Boards is to develop and enforce water quality objectives and implementation plans that will best protect the beneficial uses of the State’s waters, recognizing local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology.

Each Regional Board has 7 part-time Members also appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Regional Boards develop “basin plans” for their hydrologic areas, govern requirements/issue waste discharge permits, take enforcement action against violators, and monitor water quality. The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water, including the needs of industry, agriculture, municipal districts, and the environment is an ongoing challenge for the Water Board and Regional Boards.