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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorthern California Water Association Board of Director's Meeting 031914 Downey Brand Pt. 2M4 Why 0 Demonstrate Sacramento Valley managers, farmers and suppliers effectively and efficiently manage and sustain water to meet many critical Valley and state needs. • Illustrate the importance of protecting and preserving Sacramento Valley water rights and resources must be protected. • Increase understanding of Sacramento Valley as special and worthy of preserving. Key Messages EFFICIENT Water is our lifeblood and no drop is wasted. ESSENTIAL We grow more than commodities. EXCEPTIONAL The Sacramento Valley is a California treasure. Perceptions and Misperceptions Proof Points ' Water is the lifeblood of the Sacramento Valley's diverse economy, • We grow a diverse economy, healthy ecosystem, rich recreation • Water is the lifeblood that makes the Sacramento Valley a state and • People are concerned about: healthy ecosystem and rich recreation —and provides enormous regional opportunities, clean energy, and a sustainable water supply for 25 national treasure, unlike anywhere else in the world. - Basic needs of residents and statewide benefits. million Californians. - Demandsfrom as, business, manufacturers and • The Valley is unique mosaic of picturesque farmland, world -class wildlife developers • Valley stakeholders efficiently manage, maintain and sustain the Valley's • Sacramento Valley water rights and assurances ensure reliable regional reserves and thriving communities. Allocation of water for fish and wildlife, - Water quality (for people, environment, fisheries, precious water supplies to serve multiple needs for cities, farms and supplies for agricultural, industrial, high -tech, residential water uses, wild life, recreation; salinity) recreation. including: • We are responsible stewards of this exceptional treasure. - Irrigation for 3 million acres of farmland. -City people don't want to admit they live on a desert; so Benefits of 30+ years of good management., - Farm and farm - related jobs for nearly 53,000 people. • Our goal is to sustain the water and the Valley for the use and pleasure want to keep inland CA in original desert state, • Sustainability— safe, steady, secure water supply - Sanctuary for California's threatened and endangered species. of many future generations of Californians. inconvenient truth. • Decades of progressive, efficient water management means every drop - Quality drinking water for 2/3 of state's population. -North hoards water and has more than it needs. is accounted for. - Healthy food for the state and the world. • Valley stakeholders efficiently manage, maintain and sustain the Valley's -Farmers shouldn't plant crops in the desert. • On the leading edge of ecological and economic sustainability. - Hydroelectric power for 14 million homes in western U.S. precious water supplies to serve multiple needs for cities, farms and - congress has been wasting water in CA and dumping it into ecas • Highly efficient flow -throu h system moves water from mountains to g y g y - $10 billion in economic activity. recreation. is only netha to -SJV is only one that has to live by the rules, water stolen oceans, using and reusing it along the way. - World -class recreation for hiking, skiing, fishing, water sports. from us. • A model of water efficiency: - Sanctuary for California's threatened and endangered species. • No region in the state has more effectively integrated economic benefits -40 years of bad policies by the left have run state out of - Less than 10% of water from S/SJR watersheds to produce ag into managing the environment — forexample ,ricelandsarealsorefuges, water. products, making it one of most efficient ag areas in U.S. • Environmental protections in the delta and our state's rivers: providing both income and up to 150,000 acres of essential natural - California favors certain wateruses /users over others. - Recirculates water used to irrigate crops. - Protect delta smelt, salmon and other endangered fish species, habitat. Hard -hit central Valleyfarming region doesn'teven have - Develops crop varieties that use less water. - Protect tens of thousands of jobs in fishing, tourism, and water meters, which is part of its problem. - In last 30 years, rice growers reduced water use by 20% while farming in Sacramento Valley, • The Valley is a model of water efficiency. heavily subsidized through cheap water made growing 30% more rice. - Ensure drinking water quality for millions of Californians. possible l federal places ebywouldeversupport agriculture o asimin places that would never support agriculture on a similar - Shasta Dam hydroelectric power plant generates power for • The Valley is a model of an ideal, sustainable food system. scale in a free market. more than 300,000 (170,000 ?) homes, then returns the water • Sacramento Valley can help meet water demands in other parts of the -As uses go% of state's water and most of that water is used to the river to be used again. state, but only if water uses in the Valley are met and its water rights and • More than a tourist destination, the Valley is also home to people who stored, pumped, and diverted using dams, pumps, and contracts are honored and protected. Critical to value we provide to live and work here. aqueducts paid for by the U.S. taxpayer. • No region in the state has more effectively integrated economic benefits state. - Perceived pro - environmental bias of Democrats. into managing the environment — for example, ricelands are also refuges, • Wise ongoing water management ensures supply will be there, now . We manage our water in Sacramento Valley to reflect the best of - Perceived pro- business bias of Republicans. providing both income and up to 150,000 acres of essential natural and in future. California values (healthy food, healthy environment, healthy lifestyle). -The fundamental problem is simple: water is too cheap. habitat. -Too cheap now and too cheap in the past. When water • Changes in allocation of water could have devastating impacts: (or anything else) is cheap enough, it will be wasted. And dry, drought -prone California wastes a lot of water. • Sacramento Valley water resources managers work with elected - Undo years of sound water management. Formany environmentalists and opponents of the officials, governmental agencies, businesses, farmers and conservationists - Exacerbate the water shortage in SV, putting people and governor's plan, the debate is not about whether - on innovative programs for watershed management, water use efficiency, prosperity at risk. California should have agriculture, it's about whether it conservation, reuse and recycling. - Risk drinking water quality for millions. makes sense to spend tens of billions of dollars so that - Risk food production. farmers can grow water- intensive crops like almonds in Without good management: - Threaten livelihoods of farmers, fishermen and small dry environs - especially if droughts intensify because of - Wasted water. businesses. climate change." -US gov is helping illegal pot producers destroy - Depleted water supplies. - Endanger salmon and other native fish. California's water supply. - Compromised water quality. -We're spending $2 to $3 billion per fish at the expense - Threats to survival of fish, wildlife, native plants that depend on of farmers and contractors in the Central Valley. water and delicate ecological system that is actively managed. - Governor is more interested in helping Big Agribusiness than in saving the fragile delta — just as state water officials seem to care more about sending water south than in preparing properly fora drought. Audiences 91 Key Messages Our future is at stake. California needs more water storage, not just adjustments in sharing. Restoring and protecting the Delta benefits all of California. Why The drought is caused by lack of rain, too little storage and low river flows — not environmental laws or agriculture. Demonstrate multiple regional and statewide benefits short- and long -term benefits of well-managed Sacramento Valley resources. Proof Points • We understand the issues and we must be the ones to • Make the case that sacrificing one region for another will exacerbate problems and not solve California's water ongoing water challenges. • Drought is taking a toll on the SV: • 2013 was the driest year on record in • Bust myths and promote local solutions. confront our water issues — or someone else will. Key Messages Our future is at stake. California needs more water storage, not just adjustments in sharing. Restoring and protecting the Delta benefits all of California. Drought impacts all of California — including the Sacramento Valley. The drought is caused by lack of rain, too little storage and low river flows — not environmental laws or agriculture. Perceptions and Misperceptions Proof Points • We understand the issues and we must be the ones to • More storage — like the proposed Sites • Lack of rain, low storage in • Drought is taking a toll on the SV: • 2013 was the driest year on record in -south wastes water on pools and lawns. confront our water issues — or someone else will. Reservoir, Is a long -term solution that reservoirs, and low river flows— not - Reduced surface water supplies. California. - Congress has been wasting water in CA and will: environmental laws — are the major - Increased pumping of already dumping it into the ocean fordecades. • One size does notfit all when it comes to water - Add flexibilityto the water system causes of low water allocations stressed groundwater supplies. • Frequent dry years are creating more -state water managers mthern California drought worse by taking water from Northern C and management; local leaders need flexibility to do what is - Improve Delta water quality across the state. - Water storage depleted. challenges more often —even in water -rich shipping it to S.C. cities. best for their regions and the state. Improve reliability for farms, - Decreasing reliability of the water areas of the state. -Screw the smelt; this man-made drought has fisheries, rural and urban • It's not about choosing between supplies much of California depends costthousands of farm workers theirjobs. • We must prove we can address our ongoing water communities families and fish. on. • California's infrastructure built more - California has to stop puttingfish over farmers challenges, someone else will. - - Help reduce flood damage and deal - Low reservoirs putting water quality than a half century ago to meet the needs by flushingthe Delta water out to sea to help the with drought and climate change. • Restoring and protecting the Delta for 25 million Californians at risk of 1960's California. smelt and salmon. - • The Sacramento Valley is living proof of the widespread benefits all of California with secure from saltwater intrusion and algae. - Drought is "Congress- created dustbowl" caused by environmental protections for fish. benefits of decades of responsible, progressive, efficient • California gets an average 200 million water supplies for 25 million, - Ranchers reducing herds. • California gets average 200 million acre- - Burdensome environmental rules and regs water management. acre -feet of water per year in rain and irrigation for ag industry that feeds - Crops aren't planted. feet of water per year in rain and snow, inflict massive economic damage. snow, and it's not enough. millions and a thriving economy. Critical habitat forfish threatened. and it's not enough. - Stealing water from the delta wreaks havoc with • Sacramento Valley can help meet water demands in - Jobs, business, economy at risk. California water contracts and law, and would be other parts of the state, but only if water uses in the • Climate change could reduce by half • Environmental protections not only - 17 Sacramento Valley communities , Average rarely occurs and our weather is an ecological and economic disaster. Valley are met and its water rights and contracts are our largest natural storage system, the g g y protect delta smelt, salmon and are in danger of running out of most variable in U.S. - sewage from cities is killing the fish. protected. Sierra snow pack. P other endangered fish,butalsotens water. -Every time you flush the toilet it goes into the • Pumping water away from the Valley could: • California's reservoir system hasn't of thousands of jobs in farming and fishing tourism — including a$1.4 • It takes water to grow food, and farmers • Climate change could reduce by half our delta. . The water emergency isnotthe result ofglobal - Undo years of sound water management. kept pace with changing water needs. billion salmon industry. are doing their part to conserve more and largest natural storage system, the Sierra snowpack. warming or lack of rain, as our bill's opponents claim. Ourancestors in California built an - Not create more water or solve California's water improve efficiencies in production amazing irrigation system that can delivera problems. • California hasn't built a major • Gutting federal and state agriculture. - California's reservoir system hasn't kept watersupply even during severe - Exacerbate water shortage in SV, putting people and reservoirfor more than 30 years, while environmental and water protections pace with changing water needs. droughts. It is our inability to use this system as prosperity at risk. adding 20 million people. put the Delta, people and economy Water used to grow crops is also used It was intended — due to preposterous - Risk drinking water quality for millions. at risk, and does nothing to solve and reused for other purposes. • Our major reservoirs weren't built to regulations that put fish before families —that has « eated today's water calamity. - Risk locally grown food production. •Our major reservoirs weren't built to California's water problems— meet today's widespread public and -water shortages have been caused by - Threaten livelihoods of farmers, fisherman and small meet today's widespread public and including the drought. • A healthy Sacramento Valley is good for environmental needs. misguided regulatory decisions. California businesses. environmental needs: all of California: families and farmers are tired of seeing millions - D u communities. Dry P - Flexibility to meet the many • Killing every fish in the Delta would Food forthe state and world. While it takes a lot of water to grow food: and millions of gallons of water being flushed � g - Endanger salmon /other native fish. demands of a growing not solve California's water - Quality water for 2/3 of state part to out to the Pacific Ocean while our state suffers and economy, population y, problems. population. P conserve and improve efficiencies in conserve and improve the economic ramifications. • Keeping water in upstream reservoirs allows flushing it - Flexibility to meet the - Hydroelectricity for 14 million production agriculture. -The state and federal water agencies exported into the Delta so water quality standards can be met. demands during dry years • We can balance the needs of homes. Less than 10% of water from S /SJR massive quantities of water to agribusiness interests and Southern California water agencies, - Improved_ water quality agriculture, environment, residents - Farms add $2.5 billion to state's watersheds is used to produce a P g endangering local water supplies and fish • Good management has helped SV in this extreme - Seasonal fish flows and recreation to preserve what economy. products, making it one of most populations as the ecosystem continues to drought; we would be walking across American River if we g g - Cool water for salmon Californians value — health food, a y - Farm and farm - related jobs. efficient ag areas in U.S. collapse. hadn't been doing what we've been doing. healthy ecosystem and a healthy Habitats for wildlife. Water used to irrigate crops is - Present crisis could have been avoided, and is a • Taking much - needed water from the lifestyle. � - World -class recreation. recirculated. "direct result of egregious mismanagement of • Federal undermining of state /regional /local laws and Sacramento Valley to send to another - New crop varieties use less water. the state's water supply system by the state and protections P region creates a different set of In last 30 years, rice growers reduced federal water projects." - Exacerbates division. problems and doesn't address drought • rrice. by 20% while growing 30% -All we need to do a build 2 desalinization plants o and San Diego instead of a - Undoes years of progress. or solve ongoing water challenges. more stupid bullet train - Limits state's and Sac Valley's ability to effectively -US gov is helping illegal pot producers destroy and flexibly respond to water problems. • To succeed, solutions need to be California's water supply. mutually beneficial, not solutions that simply transfer impact elsewhere. Audiences Key Messages INTERNAL CHALLENGES: Collaboratively managing Sacramento Valley water to serve all purposes and meet state and region's present and future needs. ISSUE' Other issues? Address more water storage here Why • Expanding storage and improving groundwater management will address some of our local and state water problems. • Everybody in the Sacramento Valley has a responsibility to use water in Lay groundwork for funding for the public benefit portion of additional water storage (like Sites Reservoir), to cover both local and broad benefits. Key Messages Water sustainability is the key to securing our future in the Sacramento Valley. Local leadership — rather than state or federal mandate— is the best way to manage our groundwater basins to reverse declines in groundwater levels. Other issues? Address more water storage here Perceptions and Misperceptions Proof Points • Everybody in the Sacramento Valley has a responsibility to use water in • Increasing land use and water demands overtime have caused declining ways that ensure it will be always be there when we need it. groundwater levels in some areas of the Sacramento Valley. • Working togetherto make every drop count Is how we keep our Valley • Pumping needs to match recharge to sustain our valuable groundwater Proof Points water supplies available and in balance for generations to come. for both our cities and farms. We pay our fair share, what is our responsibility? What does that Water managers, farmers and suppliers can help sustain Sacramento • Declines in groundwater can lead to: mean? Valley water supplies and secure our future by: - Irreversible land damage Impact of fees on SV? - Using water wisely. Poor water quality Need for evolving California regulatory system to help assure - Continually improving water use efficiency. - Reduced surface flows reliable and affordable water for all beneficial purposes in the Maintaining sufficient groundwater levels. Ecosystem impacts region? - Working with local and state governments to develop policies that - Permanent loss of capacity to store water as groundwater'. Do we talk about value of water? Inequities in who pays what for advance regional sustainability. water? Audiences - Proving by example that the best solutions. are local solutions, and - that there is no one - size - fits -all approach to effective water management. Audiences Key Messages EXTERNAL CHALLENGES: Flows and fees stemming from Bay -peita dynamics and water shortages; taxes, fees and assessments; and legislative and regulatory policies. ISSUE What to say about fees? Why • Make the case for flexibility that leads to local solutions for California's water ongoing water challenges. and water transfers is the most effective way to sustain • Promote water storage — Sites Reservoir — as a viable, long -term solution to meet the water needs of a growing state. Key Messages Local operational flexibility regarding flows, diversions The Sites reservoir is a long -term solution will create more water to What to say about fees? Perceptions and Misperceptions and water transfers is the most effective way to sustain meet increasing demands of a growing state. California's water supply and reduce the damage droughts and floods. Proof Points • Sacramento Valley can help meet water demands in other parts More storage— like the proposed Sites Reservoir, is a long -term solution We pay our fair share, what is our responsibility? What does that of the state, but only if water uses in the valley are met and its that will: mean? water rights and contracts are protected. - Add flexibility to the water system Impact of fees on SV? - Improve Delta water quality Need for evolving California regulatory system to help assure • To succeed, solutions need to be mutually beneficial, not Improve reliability for farms, fisheries, rural and urban communities reliable and affordable water for all beneficial purposes in the solutions that simply transfer impact elsewhere. Help reduce flood damage and deal with drought and climate change region? Do we talk about value of water? Inequities in who pays what for water? Audiences 92