MCWRA holds water purveyor member workshop
On Monday, May 18, managers, Board members and attorneys from the Mounties Counties water purveyor membership convened at the Calaveras County Water District or via conference call for an action oriented workshop to discuss the recent water conservation regulations, and concern of the prospect of pre-1914 and riparian water right curtailments.
In the morning part of the workshop, members shared their current conservation activities, and discussed challenges and opportunities to help members achieve their conservation mandates of between 24% -36%. Some districts may look to recalculate the population numbers, reduce distribution losses, share resources to improve education and outreach, improve operational and financial efficiency, and for unique cases work directly with the State Water Board. Further discussion and assistance to take place within the membership.
In the afternoon part of the workshop, members discussed the prospect that the State Water Board may issue curtailment notices to most or all pre-1914 and riparian water rights in the coming weeks or months. Following the workshop, MCWRA developed a letter submitting comments for the Water Board’s workshop scheduled for the afternoon of May 20. The letter outlined expectations for an improved curtailment process.
In correspondence attached to the electronic transmittal letter, John Kingsbury, Executive Director, MCWRA, said that “MCWRA supports your public involvement and transparency and appreciates the opportunity to provide comments as this curtailment process moves forward. There is still work to be done and expectations to be met prior to support of actions on pre-1914 or riparian water rights in the Delta watershed. We appreciate your efforts to 
implement a fair and equitable process and encourage and request discussions with your staff as soon as possible with MCWRA and its members. We do stand ready to assist in this process.”
Letter to State Water Board: 051915 – SWRCB Letter – Felicia Marcus – Curtailments
