MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Caporusso
Executive Director/MCWRA
ExecutiveDirector.mcwra11@gmail.com
(916) 412-0571

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Board of Directors Adopts Positions on Legislative Proposals

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (APRIL 29, 2024) – The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) Board of Directors has adopted official positions on a number of proposals currently making their way through California’s legislative process.  MCWRA is weighing in on proposals impacting the association’s strategic priorities, including California’s headwaters, water rights, and forest management.

“I’d like to thank the MCWRA Legislative Committee for their work in identifying the bills that most impact our members,” said Scott Ratterman, MCWRA President and Calaveras County Water District Director.  “Our mission is to promote the statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration, and we look forward to engaging in the legislative process to advance this mission.”

A synopsis of the proposals that MCWRA is actively advocating on include:

AB 2330 (Holden): Fuels Management Streamlining – SUPPORT

Would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to, within 90-days of receiving an application, authorize through permits or memorandum of understanding the take of endangered species, threatened species, and candidate species incidental to any routine fuel management activities conducted by local agencies on lands that are within moderate, high, or very high fire hazard severity zones and adjacent to Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas.

AB 3023 (Papan): Aligning State Investments for Fire, Water Security, Climate, Biodiversity and Conservation – SUPPORT

Would align planning and funding efforts related to forest and wildfire resilience efforts, watershed restoration to protect the state water supplies, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing further collapse of wildlife populations and our natural heritage.

AB 3219 (Sanchez): Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation: Local Governments – SUPPORT IF AMENDED

Would provide that the requirements of the Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation do not apply to the purchase by a local government of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500lbs if the price of the zero-emission version is more than an unspecified percentage of the price of a comparable internal combustion engine version of that vehicle.

SB 945 (Alvarado-Gil): The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act – SUPPORT

Would require state agencies, led by the Department of Public Health, to build a database that measures wildfire specific impacts to health combined with data that measures wildfire fuels mitigation investments. The data will support policy makers, public health officials and forest health management by comprehensively understanding how fuels mitigation investments mitigate the detrimental effects of wildfire smoke on California’s environment and population. Currently, this data does not exist.

SB 1088 (Alvarado-Gil): Office of Emergency Services: State Matching Funds: Water System Infrastructure Improvements – SUPPORT

Would establish a Rural and Small Community Fire Resilience Program within the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to work in coordination with the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board to develop a program for the distribution of state matching funds to communities within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to improve water system infrastructure.

SB 1159 (Dodd): California Environmental Quality Act: Exemption: Roadside Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects – SUPPORT

Would direct the California Natural Resources Agency and the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to consider including certain limited roadside wildfire risk reduction projects, in the class of projects that are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The health of Sierra Nevada’s watersheds and water resources are of value and critical importance to all Californians.  MCWRA is committed to working to advance the following priorities on behalf of MCWRA Members:

• Protection of Water Rights and Preservation of Regional Water Supplies
• Increased Investment in California’s Headwaters
• Science-Based Forest Management Plans and Actions
• Increased Statewide Collaboration Regarding Water Resources
• Additional Water Storage Capacity
• Educating Target Audiences on Statewide Need of Protecting California’s Headwaters

Details on MCWRA’s legislative engagement can be accessed here.

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Mission is to promote the statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration.  This Mission is realized through strengthening Members’ regional leadership, collaboration, information sharing, issue awareness, education, advocacy, and potential legislative action or legal support.

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MCWRA/TUD Regional Leaders Reception
Thurs, April 4, 2024 * 5 pm * Columbia City Hotel

• Network with MCWRA leadership, Tuolumne Utilities District Directors, and Elected Officials from the region
• Food and Beverages Served During Reception
• Tour the Historic Columbia City Hotel; 22768 Main Street, Columbia, CA
• Confirmed Guest Speakers: Congressman Tom McClintock (District 5), Assemblymember Jim Patterson (District 8), and Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (District 4)

Lodging Recommendations:

• The Sonora Inn
• Best Western / Sonora Oaks Hotel
• Gunn House Hotel

Sponsorship opportunities can be found here.

For more information on the MCWRA/TUD Regional Leaders Reception please contact Justin Caporusso at executivedirector.mcwra11@gmail.com or (916) 412-0571.

REGISTER TODAY!

MCWRA ASSOCIATE MEMBER WEBINAR: HDR

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) held its second Associate Member Webinar on Wednesday, February 21st.  Hosted by HDR, the webinar focused on “Leveraging Financial Capital Through Asset Management & GIS Applications.”  Elizabeth Dawson moderated the discussion, and Allan Scott and Randy Olden served as presenters.

A recording of the Associate Member Webinar can be accessed here and the presentation itself can be accessed here.

To learn more about MCWRA and discuss membership opportunities, click here, or contact Justin Caporusso at executivedirector.mcwra11@gmail.com or (916) 412-0571.

#MCWRA #water #cawater

MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Caporusso
Executive Director/MCWRA
ExecutiveDirector.mcwra11@gmail.com
(916) 412-0571

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MCWRA Board of Directors Adopt Forest Management Principles

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (FEBRUARY 21, 2024) – Earlier this month, the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) Board of Directors officially adopted a set of Forest Management Principles (Principles).  Developed through the MCWRA Forest Management Ad Hoc Committee, the Principles outline the forest management priorities and policy positions of the association, and provide parameters that allow for the Legislative Committee and Executive Director to engage in advocacy efforts on behalf of the association and its members.  The Principles complement the association’s Water Policy Principles.

More than 75 percent of California’s water originates in the Sierra Nevada-Cascade watersheds.  Healthy, resilient forests are vital to maintain adequate quality and quantity of source water supply and clean air for local, regional, and statewide needs.  California is facing a wildfire and forestry crisis.  The hazardous fuel build-up in our overgrown forests is massive and catastrophically dangerous.  Climate change is leading to increased mega wildfires, droughts, tree mortality, impacts on communities, huge quantities of Greenhouse Gases, and toxic smoke that impacts all Californians.  Sustained State and Federal investment and major changes in forest management are needed to protect the millions of acres of at-risk forestland.

Benefits of Restoring Healthy, Fire-Adapted Forests

• Protects against severe mega wildfires
• Protects water quality
• Protects water infrastructure and statewide water supply
• Protects utility infrastructure
• Protects community safety
• Protects air quality and reduces health hazards from toxic wildfire smoke
• Protects soil productivity and prevents soil erosion and reduces flooding
• Increases biodiversity and protects old-growth tree stands
• Prevents release of large quantities of carbon dioxide from mega wildfires
• Sustains forests as long-term carbon sinks and prevents forests from being converted to low carbon sequestration brush fields by severe wildfire
• Mitigates climate change by accumulation of carbon in healthy forests

MCWRA’s recently adopted Forest Management Principles can be accessed here.

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Mission is to promote the statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration.  This Mission is realized through strengthening Members’ regional leadership, collaboration, information sharing, issue awareness, education, advocacy, and potential legislative action or legal support.

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MCWRA WEBINAR: California Water Law 101

On Thursday, December 7th, the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) hosted a “California Water Law 101” webinar.  Tom Cumpston, MCWRA Legal Counsel, lead the 90-minute presentation focused on basic principles and recent developments.

California’s water law is notoriously complex, but it’s founded on a few fundamental ideas that are not too hard to grasp.  Board members and executive staff who understand these basic principles can more effectively help their agencies utilize and defend their water supplies in a turbulent world.

Tom Cumpston has practiced water law in the Sierra foothills for thirty years and is skilled at presenting legal concepts to non-lawyers.  In this on-line seminar, Tom will first walk you through California Water Law 101.  Then, he’ll apply what you’ve learned to explain and predict the latest developments in the ever-changing legal landscape surrounding California’s precious water resources.

California Water Law 101 Webinar: CLICK HERE

To learn more about MCWRA and discuss membership opportunities, click here, or contact Justin Caporusso at executivedirector.mcwra11@gmail.com or (916) 412-0571.

#MCWRA #water #cawater

“MCWRA Fall 2023 Water Forum” Speaker Presentations

The Intersection of Ag and Water in Placer County
Joshua Huntsinger, Director of Ag, Parks, and Natural Resources; Placer County

Cybersecurity and Water Infrastructure
Joel Cox, Engineering Manager; Andrew Ohrt, P.E., Resilience Practice Area Lead; Tara Mertz, Senior Technical Specialist; WEST YOST

Aging Water Infrastructure
Michael Minkler, General Manager; Calaveras County Water District

30×30 California
Staci Heaton, Senior Legislative Advocate; Rural County Representatives of California
Mark Smith, Principal; Smith Policy Group

In case you missed it…

Oct 11, 2023
Staff Report
editor@sierrasun.com

Tahoe National Forest to start French Meadows prescribed burn; Community leaders tour project site

FORESTHILL, Calif. – Starting Oct. 11, the Tahoe National Forest will be beginning a 262-acre prescribed understory burn at French Meadows Reservoir as part of the French Meadows Project.

The French Meadows Project is a forest restoration and fuels reduction project located in the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the American River on the Tahoe National Forest in California’s northern Sierra Nevada.

The project area includes 27,623 acres, of which 22,152 are national forest land. The project was developed not only to improve the health and resilience of an important municipal watershed, but also to address critical barriers to increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration in the Sierra Nevada.

On October 4, MCWRA joined Placer County Water Agency, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Placer County, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, USDA Forest Service, CalFIRE, and the Office of Assemblymember Megan Dahle for a tour of the French Meadows Forest Restoration Project.

“While we have many obstacles and challenges to address in managing our forests, I am encouraged by the legislative interest and participation that we received for this tour,” said Justin Caporusso, MCWRA Executive Director. “Collaboration is key when it comes to tackling the policy changes that need to take place to better protect our forested watersheds against wildfire.”

In addition to Assemblymember Megan Dahle and staff, we were joined by representatives from Senator John Laird’s office, Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s office, Senator Brian Dahle’s office, and Assemblymember Joe Patterson’s office.

MCWRA Directors Barbara Balen, Tuolumne Utilities District, Lori Anzini, El Dorado Irrigation District, and Lori Parlin, El Dorado County also joined the tour.

Original article can be found here: https://www.sierrasun.com/news/tahoe-national-forest-to-start-french-meadows-prescribed-burn-community-leaders-tour-project-site/

MCWRA Fall 2023 Water Forum

Register Today! 

Please join us for the MCWRA Fall 2023 Water Forum at the beautiful Ridge Golf Course & Events Center! We’re looking forward to an informative statewide legislative debrief, interesting keynotes, engaging panel discussions, a delicious lunch, and several networking opportunities. The program is in development, and potential topics include Tribal Relations and Engagement, Water Use Efficiency Standards, Aging Infrastructure, 30 X 30 California, and Forest Management.

We are currently soliciting sponsorships to support the Fall 2023 Water Forum and would appreciate your partnership! Please take a look, and if possible, agree to sponsor this event. Click here to view the Sponsorship Information and Form.

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact Justin Caporusso, Executive Director, at (916) 412-0571 or via email at executivedirector.mcwra11@gmail.com.

Reserve your seat today!

MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Caporusso
Executive Director/MCWRA
ExecutiveDirector.mcwra11@gmail.com
(916) 412-0571

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) submitted an updated letter in opposition of Assembly Bill 338 (Aguiar-Curry), relating to public works. AB 338 seeks to expand the definition of “public works” to include fuel reduction work paid for in whole or in part out of public funds performed as part of a fire mitigation project, including, but not limited to, residential chipping, rural road fuel breaks, fire breaks, and vegetation management.

“On behalf of the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA), we write to respectfully maintain our opposition to Assembly Bill 338 relating to public works. While recent amendments to the bill are a step in the right direction, they are insufficient to address MCWRA’s concerns. The proposed bill would inhibit the growth, pace and scale of forest management work that needs to be conducted in California and interfere with small communities’ ability to complete timely fire mitigation projects to safeguard residents and infrastructure or retain local workforce. We support policies that would bring high-quality, good paying jobs to rural areas; however, without meaningful and dedicated resources from the state, the financial impacts the legislation imposes will significantly reduce the ability to achieve our shared goals of effectively managing forested lands and preventing wildfire. We believe this legislative approach is premature, and that at a minimum a robust wage data survey must be completed before advancing this legislation. In addition, we would strongly encourage further increasing the exemption threshold to a minimum of $5 million (e.g., 2,000-acre project size at $2,500/acre average cost) to facilitate the pace and scale necessary to achieve effective fuels management. We believe that an alternative solution is needed that will not threaten lives, homes, and livelihoods in California’s rural communities.”

– Scott Ratterman, MCWRA President

Click here to review the letter.

Other MCWRA legislative letters and positions can be found here.