California Water Plan Old and New Steve Macaulay, Executive Director

2 First “Official” California Water Plan Bulletin 3, 1957 Comprehensive master plan for control, protection, conservation, distribution, and utilization of California water, to meet present and future needs for all beneficial uses and purposes in all areas of State to maximum feasible extent.

3 Bulletin Water policy concerns:  flood control, floodplain management  power demands  water-related recreation  relationship of fish and wildlife to water development  water quality  From 1966 on, Updates are in the Bulletin 160 series

4 Bulletin No  Projected slower population growth, together with additional water supplies under development / authorized, provides breathing spell “... to consider alternative sources of water supply and develop policies for the maximum protection of the environment.”  Trend toward increasing environmental awareness.

5 Bulletin  Water supplies OK.  Auburn, New Melones, Warm Springs Reservoirs and Peripheral Canal operational by 1980  Key water policy issues: cooling water for energy production, water deficiencies (risk), water exchanges, public interest in agricultural drainage (San Joaquin Drain), water use efficiency (water conservation), economic efficiency (water transfers), water reclamation.

6 Bulletin  Alternative sources of supplies / potential shortages projected to 2010  New: use of agricultural models  Quantified effect of urban and agricultural water conservation measures, potential for water reclamation  Non-structural efficiency options proposed for further consideration.

7 California Water, Looking to the Future: Bulletin  Described prior Water Plan Updates as technical examinations of then-current water supplies and water demand for coming decades.  Broad view of water events, issues, examined how California can continue to meet water needs of growing population.  Discussed leading water management concerns including water quality, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, evolving water policies over a wide range.  In three out of four years, California's natural water resources, including rights to Colorado River, were sufficient to meet all water needs for foreseeable future.

8 Water Plan Update: Bulletin  Discussed how population growth, land use, and water allocations for the environment were affecting water resource management – 35 year retrospective.  Effects of more stringent water quality standards, Endangered Species Acts, Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992, efforts to solve Bay-Delta problems.  New: (1) estimated environmental water needs separately; (2) presented water demand management methods as additional means of meeting needs; and (3) presented water balance scenarios for average and drought conditions.

9 Water Plan Update: Bulletin  Evaluated water management options that could improve California's water supply reliability.  Local agency plans form building blocks for each of State's ten hydrologic regions.  Combined potential local options with statewide actions (CALFED) to create statewide evaluation.  Estimated 1.6 million acre-foot water shortage in average years at the 1995 level of development, 5.1 maf shortage in drought years. This forms policy debates in Legislature.

Water Plan Update More representative advisory committee Advice solicited, taken New technical approaches New issues Many different perspectives Open, collaborative, transparent Solid, excellent support staff and consultants Identified future challenges requiring further work Alternative California “water futures” 25 “resource management strategies”: opportunities and challenges

11 Use Water Efficiently Protect Water Quality Support Environmental Stewardship Implement Integrated Regional Water Management Improve Statewide Water Management Systems Vital Economy Healthy Environment High Standard of Living Integrated Regional Water Management Cornerstone of California Water Plan Updated every 5 years Available at:

12 Integrated Regional Water Management Definition Integrated Regional Water Management is comprehensive systems approach to management of water resources that considers economic growth, environmental quality, and social equity -- leading to more sustainable plans and actions.

13 Tools Fit Together

14 Changing Factors An Uncertain Future

Water Plan Update