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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Elects New Board Members

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (JANUARY 18, 2023) – The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) has announced electing Nevada County Supervisor Susan (Sue) Hoek, Yuba Water Agency Director Don Blaser, and Amador Water Agency Director Susan Peters to its Board of Directors.  Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes and Calaveras County Water District Director Scott Ratterman were both re-elected following the expiration of their most recent board terms.  The positions take effect immediately, and run through 2026.

“I’m excited about the background and experience that these individuals collectively bring to the Association,” said Mike Lee, MCWRA President and Placer County Water Agency Director.  “The MCWRA leadership is well positioned to advocate on behalf of the protection of the Sierra Nevada watershed and its resources.”

The MCWRA Board of Directors recently adopted its 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, and updated the Association’s Mission, Vision, and Values.  MCWRA strives to be the premiere advocate to influence water policy and protection of the Sierra Nevada watershed through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and education.

The MCWRA Board consists of six elected Water Board members and three County Supervisors.  Directors represent the membership-at-large in a regional capacity, not a specific entity.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Retains Advocacy Support Team

Bryant Government Affairs and Cruz Strategies to Support Association’s Legislative Priorities

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (JANUARY 17, 2023) – Today, the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) announced retaining Bryant Government Affairs and Cruz Strategies to support the Association’s legislative and regulatory advocacy services. The Advocacy team will work in coordination with the MCWRA Legislative Committee to advance the Association’s strategic priorities.

“We are excited to be able to bring on this talented team to further support our Members and the Association’s Mission,” said Mike Lee, MCWRA President and Placer County Water Agency Director. “This partnership is another step towards MCWRA’s Vision to be the premiere advocate to influence water policy and protection of the Sierra Nevada Watershed.”

Bryant Government Affairs is a full-service government affairs firm with fifteen years of legislative, regulatory and political affairs experience in California government represented by Jason Bryant. Through effective strategy and trusted relationships with legislative leadership and the Governor’s Office, Mr. Bryant has achieved numerous legislative and regulatory victories in land use, energy, environmental, taxation and employment issues during his career.

Cruz Strategies is a minority and women owned lobbying firm based in Sacramento offering extensive legislative, political, and state budget expertise in the areas of water, energy, local government, the environment, transportation, housing, and land use policy. Cruz Strategies is the largest Latino owned lobbying firm in Sacramento, with unique experience and perspective on California’s rapidly changing demographics and shifting public policy priorities including those related to water and environmental policy. Audrey Ratajczak, Associate Partner, will be supporting the Association’s efforts.

Harnessing the experience and talent of both firms, with a track record of success working together, Mr. Bryant and Ms. Ratajczak are poised to deliver strategic support to the Association before the legislature, regulatory agencies and senior members of the Governor’s Administration and achieve the organization’s goals of advancing the health of Sierra Nevada watersheds.

“We’re pleased to be working with the leadership of this outstanding organization, and look forward to strengthening MCWRA’s voice in the Legislature and Governor’s Office on water policy in order to protect and promote the Sierra Nevada watershed,” said Bryant.

MCWRA serves a total of 58 Executive, Affiliate, and Associate Members across 12 of California’s mountain counties, including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tuolumne, and Yuba Counties.

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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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 Adopt Strategic Plan

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (DECEMBER 12, 2022) – Earlier this month, the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) Board of Directors adopted the Association’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan).  The Strategic Plan provides renewed focus for the Association from energy and thoughtfulness of MCWRA Directors and Members, and includes a refreshed set of priorities, and a revisiting of the Association’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

“At the core of our Strategic Plan and among our Members is collaboration,” said Mike Lee, MCWRA President and Placer County Water Agency Director.  “We must work together, with a unified voice, to protect and enhance our region and state’s water supply for future generations.”

Mission: Promote statewide importance of Sierra Nevada water resources through advocacy and collaboration.

Vision: To be the premiere advocate to influence water policy and protection of the Sierra Nevada watershed.

Values: Leadership.  Advocacy.  Collaboration.  Education.

In addition to updating the Association’s Mission, Vision, and Values, the following Strategic Priorities were identified from the Strategic Planning Session:

• California’s Watershed
• Water Rights
• Water Supply
• Forest Management
• Statewide Collaboration

The Strategic Plan and the priorities identified within provide a roadmap for the MCWRA Executive Director, and guide the Association’s outreach, education, and advocacy efforts.

The full 2023-2025 Strategic Plan can be accessed here.

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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.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Welcomes South Tahoe Public Utility District to Membership

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (November 01, 2022) – The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) is proud to announce that South Tahoe Public Utility District (South Tahoe PUD) has rejoined its Executive Membership.  South Tahoe PUD has been providing water and sewer services to the community of South Lake Tahoe since 1950.

”South Tahoe Public Utility District is excited to join Mountain Counties Water Resources Association to work together to promote regional issues,” said Shelly Thomsen, Public Affairs and Conservation Manager.  “Of particular interest to us is identifying additional funding opportunities to upgrade water infrastructure for fire suppression in the wildland urban interface.”

South Tahoe PUD’s water system serves more than 14,000 residential water connections, 660 commercial and government sites, and maintains 16 active wells.  Their collection system serves 17,000 connections, and includes 330 miles of sewer lines, and 42 lift stations.  South Tahoe PUD’s service area includes portions of El Dorado County within the Tahoe Basin, Highway 89 north to Cascade Lake, Highway 89 south to Luther Pass, Highway 50 east to the Nevada state line, and Highway 50 west to Echo Lake.

Additional details about South Tahoe PUD can be accessed here: https://stpud.us/.

MCWRA serves a total of 57 Executive, Affiliate, and Associate Members across 12 of California’s mountain counties, including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tuolumne, and Yuba Counties.

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Mission is to unite agencies, groups and individuals whose interests include protecting and enhancing Mountain County water resources.  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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MEDIA CONTACT:
Justin Caporusso
Executive Director/MCWRA
ExecutiveDirector.mcwra11@gmail.com
(916) 412-0571

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Welcomes Pioneer Community Energy to Membership

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES, Calif. (September 7, 2022) – The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) is proud to announce that Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer) has joined its Associate Membership.  Pioneer is a local not-for-profit provider of electricity, powering the communities they serve with competitive rates, reliable service and a choice in energy options.

”As a Director on Pioneer’s Board, I am pleased to have Pioneer join Mountain Counties Water Resources Association,” said Jim Holmes, Placer County Supervisor and MCWRA/Pioneer Board Member.  “Pioneer is our regional energy provider and recognizes the importance of MCWRA’s important role in resource management and look forward to collaboration between Pioneer and MCWRA on issues impacting the communities we serve.”

Pioneer was formed in 2017, joining the other California Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) in providing energy to more than 11 million customers across the state.  They started providing electricity services in 2018 to Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Rocklin, Loomis, and most of unincorporated Placer County, achieving status as an independent entity in 2021.  In 2022, Pioneer started providing the same stable and reliable electric service to most of unincorporated El Dorado County and the City of Placerville.

Additional details about Pioneer Community Energy can be accessed here: https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/.

MCWRA serves a total of 57 Executive, Affiliate, and Associate Members across 12 of California’s mountain counties, including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tuolumne, and Yuba Counties.

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association Mission is to unite agencies, groups and individuals whose interests include protecting and enhancing Mountain County water resources.  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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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
“Water, Wildfire, and Wine” Reception

MCWRA is partnering with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 3 to host a Reception following the ACWA Region 3 meeting in Murphys, California on Thursday, October 20th. We are soliciting sponsorships to allow for the Reception to be hosted at no cost to attendees. Thank you for your consideration.

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.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing you in October!

Click here to view the Sponsorship Information and Form

“California-United Water Conference: Caldor Fire Tour” Speaker Presentations

Water Sustainability: Public and Private Sector Perspectives

Presentation from Grant Davis, Sonoma County Water Agency – Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI)

Presentation from Eddie Corwin, Google – Watershed Stewardship Efforts

Prop 1 and California Water Storage

Presentation from – Jose Solorio, CA Water Commission – Overview

Presentation from – Ali Forsythe, Environmental Planning and Permitting Manager, Sites Project Authority – Sites Reservoir Project

Presentation from – Marguerite Patil, Contra Costa Water District – Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project

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

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) submitted a letter in opposition of Assembly Bill 1717 (Aguiar-Curry), relating to public works. AB 1717 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.

“Given the increasing threat of megafires, it is ill-timed and counter-productive to introduce additional barriers to implementation of fire mitigation projects in communities that desperately need public funds to complete these projects,” said Mike Lee, President of the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association.” It is for these reasons that the MCWRA opposes AB 1717.”

Click here to review the letter.

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

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) submitted a letter to Senator Allen in support of Assembly Bill 267, authored by Assembly Member Suzette Martinez Valladares, which would extend the sunset date by three years for current exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for wildfire prevention projects done on federal lands that have already been reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Click here to review the letter.

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

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) submitted a letter to State Legislators in support of proposed Budget Trailer Bill amendments to streamline forest fuels management projects on federal lands. MCWRA has long recognized the significant threat that wildfire has upon mountain county residents, infrastructure, and water and recreation resources. Moreover, when wildfire devastates the landscape of California’s forested watershed, the impacts to our overall water system are felt statewide. Streamlining and expediting forest fuels management projects on federal lands are critical to reducing and avoiding future catastrophic wildfires and protecting California’s water supply.

Click here to review the letter.