August 10, 2015
News Release:
Contact: Einar Maisch, PCWA General Manager (530) 823-4860 or Ross Branch, Public Affairs Manager (530) 823-1937
The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors and staff were presented with a District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) at the Board of Directors meeting in Auburn on August 6. The certificate was awarded as a result of transparency in the operations and governance of the Agency.
More: PCWA – District Transparency Certificate of Excellence
June 30, 2015
The King Fire burnt the watershed in areas with unprecedented severity causing potential long term impacts on water supply, water quality, the environment, recreation, and, in fact, all the beneficial uses in the watershed for many generations. The water purveyors, Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) and Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District (GDPUD) have been significantly impacted and PCWA alone has spent over $1,000,000 dollars protecting its water and power infrastructure from the effects of the King Fire, not to mention the significant negative impacts to private land owners, such as Sierra Pacific Industries.
This is part of a MCWRA letter sent to El Dorado National Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree addressing the alternatives in the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the King Fire Restoration Project.
MCWRA letter to: Laurence Crabtree – Forest Response 2015
MCWRA also received a copy of the Placer County Water Agency’s (PCWA) letter submitted by Andy Fecko, Director of Resource Development.
PCWA letter: PCWA Draft Environmental Impact Statement Letter
June 29, 2015
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES AREA – Regional Report
To continue to build on the awareness and recognition of Mountain Counties Overlay Area and the California Water Plan Update, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) hand carried 120 copies of the Mountain Counties Area Volume 2 regional report to each of the 80 Assembly Members and 40 Senators, along with a copy to Governor Brown.
In the midst of this significant enduring drought, Mountain Counties wants long term statewide water objectives and goals to also remain a high priority with the Legislature and policy makers, with emphasis on the statewide significance of the foothills and forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
The Mountain Counties Area regional report is one of 12 regional reports to help drive and implement long term water goals and objectives for California, said John Kingsbury, MCWRA Executive Director. “This Update is not a document to sit on the shelf and collect dust, but should be considered the third leg of the water stool. Effectively integrating and implementing the California Water Plan objectives and recommendations, the California Water Action Plan, and Proposition 1 will go a long way to resolve many of California’s water issues.”
MCWRA thanks our DWR partners, Kamyar.Guivetchi, Lew Moeller, and Paul Messera for their leadership in developing the Water Plan Update and for their help and assistance with this process.
Cover Letter to Governor Brown and Legislators
Mountain Counties Area Regional Report
June 23, 2015
STATEWIDE WATER ASSOCIATION – REGIONAL SUPPORT
At the June 22, 2015, El Dorado Irrigation Board of Directors meeting in Placerville, the Board adopted a resolution and unanimously provided support for the nomination of Director Bill George to serve as Vice President on the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).
Bill also has served as on the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) as a Director since 2009 and is the current Treasurer.
Members are encouraged to adopt a resolution or send a letter of support to the Association of California Water Agencies at 910 K St #100, Sacramento, CA 95814
EID Resolution: Bill George – EID Resolution
Information about: Bill George
June 21, 2015
News Release
Foresthill Public Utility District
Contact: Hank White, General Manager
(530) 367-2511, or email: at gm@foresthillpud.com.
The Foresthill Public Utility District announced it has received a $15,000 grant from the Placer County Water Agency as part of PCWA’s 2015 Financial Assistance Program. The funds will be applied to costs for environmental studies associated with the FPUD’s application for an extension of water rights permits from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
More: Foresthill – Press Release 2015 06 16
June 11, 2015
New Executive Members:
MCWRA is pleased to announce two new Executive Members
Legislative Letters:
AB 647; Assembly Member Susan Talamentes Eggman – Support, if Amended
AB 291; Senator Medina – Support
- California Environmental Quality Act: Local agencies: notice of determination water
- Click for letter: AB 291 – Support – Medina
Budget Trailer Bill 825: Oppose
MCWRA – Members Helping Members
On May 18, 2015, MCWRA held a water right and water conservation workshop at the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) for water purveyors. Members shared their water conservation activities and programs as they work toward water reduction compliance of 24% – 36% within the region. Several agencies expressed interest and desire to share water conservation literature “templates”, reduce costs through consolidated purchasing using MCWRA as a vehicle, improving effectiveness of programs and exploring opportunities with other regional members to save time and money. This could include:
- Educational Material
- Rebate Programs
- Landscape Tips
- Water Wise House Calls
- Reporting Water Waste
- Messaging (social media)
- Regional billboards
- Bulk purchasing agreements for water conservation materials
Here is a list and a link to contact water purveyors in Mountain Counties:
More Information on the Workshop
If you would like to discuss this information further, you are encouraged to contact John Kingsbury at: johnkingsbury.mcwra@gmail com
Community Water Forums in Tuolumne County!
Following up on the response from the Community Water Council, a series of Community Water Forums will be held starting this week to discuss water solutions for Tuolumne County. We are encouraging the public to attend to find out what solutions have been discussed and to engage in an open discussion on water solutions. At the end of the forums we will also be asking the public to vote on their best recommendations. Listed below are the dates and locations for the community forums:
| Dates |
Location |
Time |
| Wednesday, 6/10 |
Sonora Opera Hall, Sonora |
6-8pm |
| Thursday, 6/11 |
Columbia Elementary, Columbia |
6-8pm |
| Thursday, 6/18 |
Tuolumne Memorial Hall, Tuolumne |
6-8pm |
If you are unable to attend one of the Community Water Forums, your vote still counts. Go to the website at www.yourwaterchoices.com, review the recommendations and solutions and vote. This online voting survey will be open to the public until Friday, June 26th.
Water Restrictions Still in Place
Due to drought conditions, Tuolumne Utilities District has implemented water restrictions. The District is currently in Phase III water conservation measures. A mandatory water reduction of 30% has been set for all customers based upon their water usage of 2013.
Please visit the TUD website, www.tudwater.com/ for a complete listing of the water restrictions and conservation tips, or click the attached pdf to download the water restrictions
June 1, 2015
Times are busy and resources are limited. If you need assistance with an upcoming program or project, please consider MCWRA Associate Members in your search. Our sponsors have helped keep dues down and underwritten our events, tours, and briefings. Since 2011, we have received 38 sponsorships for over $39,000.00
The top five MCWRA sponsors:
- Parjana
- Sierra Nevada Conservancy
- Atkins
- Tully and Young
- SAGE
For more information and contacts, click the links below.
Link: Members Helping Members
Link: Members Page
June 1, 2015
What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting Rain
This program will feature ACWA Executive Director Tim Quinn and two conversation panel discussions. The first panel will highlight what agencies have done to successfully conserve water and the second panel will delve into what agencies are going to do to meet the new emergency state regulations.
More: Region 3 program-agenda
For more information contact Brandon Ida, ACWA Regional Affairs Representative at 916.441.4545
May 21, 2015
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
More Pictures from the gallery
May 19, 2015
The limited water resource in California has Mountain Counties concerned about the prospect and process by which the State Water Board may look to curtail most or all Pre-1914 and Riparian water rights in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Watershed.
MCWRA supports the State Water Board’s public involvement and appreciates the opportunity to provide comments as this curtailment process moves forward. However, 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, said John Kingsbury, Executive Director, MCWRA. “We appreciate the State Water Board’s efforts to implement a fair and equitable process and have encouraged and requested discussions with their staff as soon as possible. We do stand ready to assist in this process”, said Kingsbury.
Letter to State Water Board: 051915 – SWRCB Letter – Felicia Marcus – Curtailments
Member News
Tuolumne Utility District:
Community Water Forums Scheduled in June to Focus on Water Solutions
See more: TUD – WaterForums_05192015
Nevada Irrigation District:
Drought Briefing
see more: NID Drought Briefing
Customers Urged to Cut Water Usage by 36%
see more: NID Board_Drought 5-13-15
