California Water Commission Meeting - January 18, 2023

The California Water Commission will hold its first monthly meeting of 2023 on Wednesday, January 18 in Sacramento. The meeting is open to the public and will also be live streamed online. Agenda items include the elections of Chair and Vice-chair for 2023, a preview of the Commission’s 2023 workplan, a presentation of the draft 2022 State Water Project Annual Review, an overview of the Water Storage Investment Program final award hearing process, and a panel of experts who will explore drought preparedness and response.

California Water Commission meeting

When: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 18

Where: Warren-Alquist State Energy Building, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento, 95814

Info: (916) 873-5774, www.cwc.ca.gov

The meeting will be live streamed at https://www.water-ca.com/.

To comment remotely, Zoom login information can be found on the public participation guide.

State Water Project Annual Review 2022

Pursuant to Water Code section 165, the Commission conducts an annual review of the progress of the construction and operation of the State Water Project (SWP), focusing on how the SWP adapts and responds to hydrological extremes expected with climate change, restores critical ecosystems, and addresses aging infrastructure. The Commission reports its findings and recommendations to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Legislature. At this meeting, Commission staff will present the 2022 Annual Review of the State Water Project for Commission consideration and approval.

In 2022, DWR made 10 presentations to the Commission centered around the theme of “Preparing for Climate Extremes – Ensuring a Reliable State Water Project to Meet the Challenges of Drought, Flood, and Wildfire.” These presentations utilize the Commission’s public forum to help the public stay informed of DWR’s efforts, and provide the basis of the recommendations that the Commission makes to DWR and the Legislature regarding SWP operation. View the draft document here. For more on the State Water Project Annual Review, visit https://cwc.ca.gov/Programs-and-Topics.

Water Storage Investment Program – the Road Forward

Applicants in the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) are advancing their projects to meet Proposition 1 requirements ꟷ which include obtaining required permits and completed environmental documents, securing contracts for the administration of public benefits (CAPBs), and securing contracts for non-public benefit cost share ꟷ before returning to the Commission for a final award hearing. This is the last in a series of briefings that explain the steps to the final award hearing. This presentation includes additional information about the draft CAPB review process, the steps required of an applicant before a final award can be made, including the submission of all necessary documentation and a description of any changes to the planned project since the original application, and the Commission’s decision-making process. For more on the WSIP, visit https://cwc.ca.gov/Water-Storage.

Drought Expert Panel – Preparedness and Response

In support of Water Resilience Portfolio Action 26.3, the Commission is engaging experts, interested parties, and the public in discussions about strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of long-term drought. This month’s drought expert panel will present an overview of State drought response. The panel will include:

• Laurence Sanati, Department of Water Resources (DWR) Drought Coordinator
• Brycen Swart, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Statewide Drought Coordinator
• Jessica Bean, State Water Board Division of Water Rights Program Manager for Drought, Policy and Planning
• Keali’i Bright, Department of Conservation Assistant Director

In addition, DWR Interstate Resources Manager Jeanine Jones will present a continuation of the July 2022 panel – “Exploring Past, Present, and Future Droughts in California.” More information on the Commission’s work to develop strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of long-term drought can be found at cwc.ca.gov/Water-Resilience-Portfolio.