MCWRA Hosts Students from Rice University

March 31, 2017

Earlier this month, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) had the opportunity to host 10 undergraduate students from Rice University in Houston, TX. The students Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Trip program focused on water policy, water justice and the production of water. The 1 1/2-day program was modeled after their trip to California last year titled “A Glass Half Full”, hosted by MCWRA. (click for link to last year’s program)

“We can’t thank you enough for the workshops you organized for us last year. We were so inspired and motivated to learn more, we’ve signed up to make this trip happen again for spring break of 2017, except we will be leading a new group of students”, said ABS lead Cindy Nguyen.

The students seen here in front of the Golden Bear, which sits in front of the Governor’s office. The Program started off with a Capitol visit and meetings with Assembly Member Brian Dahle and Assembly Member Kevin Kiley, followed by a meeting with Debbie Franco Harris, Governors Office of Planning & Research, and a water district perspective from Dave Eggerton seen here with Joel Metzger (far left) from the Calaveras County Water District.

Assembly Member Brian Dahle

Assembly Member Kevin Kiley

Debbie Franco Harris, Community and Rural Affairs Advisor, Governors’s Office of Planning and Research

Joel Metzer, Customer/Community Relations Manager (left) & Dave Eggerton, General Manager, Calaveras County Water District

TOUR – California Water up the American River

The next day, MCWRA provided a day-long tour for the students up the American River watershed with its partners and sponsors. The students learned the history of and historical uses of Sierra Nevada water to present day uses, as well as, the many complexities, challenges, and opportunities of California water.

Nimbus Fish Hatchery

Laura Draft, Public Relations Interpreter II, California’s Fish & Wildlife, discussing the life cycle of salmon. Laura provided a walking tour and presented the students with an overview of the hatchery operations.

While at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Tom Gohring, Executive Director, Sacramento Water Forum, discussed the importance of a stakeholder partnership and how the region deals with key challenges and opportunities such as groundwater management, water diversions, dry year water supplies, water conservation, and protection of the lower American River in the Water Forum’s comprehensive Water Forum Agreement – October 2015 Update .

Folsom Lake

Marcus Yasutake, Environmental and Water Resources Director, City of Folsom, discussing Folsom Lake operations for flood control, the environment, and domestic uses for the City and other downstream water districts that draw from Folsom Lake.

Placer County Water Agency

Brent Smith, Director of Technical Services and Tony Firenzi, Deputy Director of Technical Services, discuss the agency’s history and the development of water supplies and reliability in the county for the foreseeable future. Also, in attendance, Placer County Supervisor and MCWRA Director, Jim Holmes.

Confluence – North and Middle Fork American Rivers

Scott Leske, Auburn State Park Supervising Ranger discusses recreational opportunities in the Park, and the effects of drought and flooding in the the park.

Marie Davis, Geologist and consultant to Placer County Water Agency, and Abigail Madrone, Business Development Director, West Yost Associates, discuss the multidimensional management decisions of watershed and groundwater resources.

PCWA Foothill Water Treatment Plant

Here the students learn about the treatment of water for domestic purposes from Ken Hodkin, Treatment Plant Operations Supervisor, and Clarke Glasow, Electrical Maintenance Supervisor, explaining the operations with students in control room.