August 19, 2013
On August 15, the Assembly Committee for Water, Parks, and Wildlife held an informational hearing to gather public comment as they continue to work on developing a new water bond, titled “The Clean Drinking Water & Climate Change Response Act of 2014,” to address California’s water infrastructure needs.
In response to the latest Water Bond Framework – 8-14 Public Draft (2), on August 19, MCWRA submitted a letter with suggested language changes for the Water Bond Framework Assemblymember Anthony Rendon Water Bond – Proposed Principles – Aug 19
The Water Bond Working Group developed this Framework based on the Principles it proposed several weeks ago, and in response to some of the feedback it has received on those Principles as reflected in the public comments summarized last week.
August 13, 2013
Member Job postings listed on the MCWRA website for Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District and Placer County Water Agency.
Click for : Job Opportunities
August 9, 2013
Assemblymember Anthony Rendon received over 50 comment letters, including letters from MCWRA and a MCWRA led coalition.
Rendon staff summarized lengthy comments and then included some of each party’s comments verbatim, which are shown in italics.
For the comments on the “Proposed Principles for Developing a Water Bond”, click link: Water Bond Principles – Comments II
BACKGROUND: In May, Assembly Speaker John Pérez appointed a working group in the Democratic caucus, to lead a program to brief Democratic Assemblymembers on the water bond and water issues generally. He appointed Assemblymember Anthony Rendon to chair the Water Bond Working Group (Working Group). Working Group members organized water policy briefings for their colleagues from their regions.
Drawing on these briefings and discussions, the Water Bond Working Group began discussing principles for developing a water bond after passage of the State Budget. The Working Group then identified priorities and accountability measures for developing a water bond that would gain the support of 2/3 of the Legislature and the voters. The Working Group’s proposed principles (the Principles) accompany this brief background and may be found at: http://awpw.assembly.ca.gov/waterbondreferencedocuments
August 5, 2013
In May, Assembly Speaker John Pérez appointed a working group in the Democratic caucus, to lead a program to brief Democratic Assemblymembers on the water bond and water issues generally. The Speaker also stated publicly that work on the water bond would not start until after passage of the budget. He appointed Assemblymember Anthony Rendon to chair the Water Bond Working Group (Working Group). Working Group members organized water policy briefings for their colleagues from their regions. Briefings included speakers and discussion about water policy and the potential needs for water bond funding.
Drawing on these briefings and discussions, the Water Bond Working Group began discussing principles for developing a water bond after passage of the State Budget. The Working Group then identified priorities and accountability measures for developing a water bond that would gain the support of 2/3 of the Legislature and the voters. The Working Group’s proposed principles (the Principles) accompany this brief background and may be found at: http://awpw.assembly.ca.gov/waterbondreferencedocuments
Comments:
MCWRA Comment Letter: Assembly member Anthony Rendon Water Bond – Proposed Principles
MCWRA led Coalition Letter: Coalition Comments on Proposed Principles for Developing Water Bond
Other Comments: Comments Compilation – Water Bond Principles
July 29, 2013
AB 145 – Author (Perea). Oppose. The bill that would move responsibility for the state’s entire drinking water program from the Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board.
Click for Oppose AB 145 letter
July 29, 2013
Mountain Counties view status of Delta water plans
By Roberta Long
MCWRA writer
High-ranking representatives of state and federal water agencies came to the June 19 joint program of Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (Mountain Counties) and the Association of County Water Agencies (ACWA) to talk about the status of the two largest water plans proposed in California for decades. There were approximately 100 people that attended this program, which was held at The Ridge Golf Course and Events Center in Auburn.
Click link for story: Mountain Counties view status of Delta water plans
More Pictures
July 22, 2013
Dear Assembly Member Bigelow;
On behalf of the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA), I wish to congratulate you on being selected as the California Legislative Rural Caucus Chairman. We appreciate your assertive leadership, determination, and focus on the challenging water issues critical to the economy and sustainability to this region and to California.
We are most pleased with the Caucus website that reflects MCWRA as a Resource. This is an honor and we plan to live up to the designation….Click here for the letter to Assembly Member Frank Bigelow
July 18, 2013
Bear River Watershed Tour
The Bear River is not the longest river, nor is its watershed the largest, but it encapsulates many conditions found throughout the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains.
On June 7, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) joined with Nevada Irrigation District (NID) and the Sierra Fund to host 45 decision makers from the State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Water Resources, Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Delta Stewardship Council, Department of Conservation, U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture, plus federal, state and local elected officials and legislative representatives, visited sites along the Bear River.
Click Here for the Story:Mountain Counties Tour highlights Bear River Watershed
June 26, 2013
The Foresthill Public Utility District Board of Directors select Hank White as their new General Manager.
Click for Press Release: Foresthill PUD Press Release
June 17, 2013
The California State Legislature Rural Caucus has named Mountain Counties Water Resources Association as a Resource to the Caucus.
The bipartisan, bicameral Rural Caucus was formed in January, 2003, to address policy issues and concerns of rural areas and communities in the State of California. The needs of rural areas can, and have in the past, been either ignored or not prioritized by the State Legislature. Rural legislators lack political clout and the numbers needed to compete with the more powerful legislators that represent urban areas. Representation by the Rural Caucus will serve to ensure a voice for rural communities, which will be a focal point and direct avenue for rural residents and organizations to carry their message, concerns and needs to the entire California State Legislature.
Assembly Member Frank Bigelow, Chair
State Capitol, Room 4116
Sacramento, CA 94249-0005
Phone: (916) 319-2005
Fax: (916) 319-2105
Assembly Member Adam Gray, Vice-Chair
State Capitol, Room 6012
Sacramento, CA 94249-0021
Phone: (916) 319-2021
Fax: (916) 319-2121
Assembly Member Brian Dahle, Secretary
State Capitol, Room 2174
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Phone: (916) 319-2001
Fax: (916) 319-2101
