In Searth of a Solution

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Securing a Sustainable Water Future
Agribusiness Management Conference November 18,
2008 Timothy Quinn Executive Director
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Current Headlines
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CALIFORNIA WATER SYSTEM
Los Angeles Department of Water Power Los
Angeles Aqueduct 1913
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Hetch
Hetchy System 1913 - Raker Act
East Bay Municipal Utility District Mokelumne
River Aqueduct 1929
Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California Colorado River Aqueduct 1941
US Bureau of Reclamation Central Valley
Project 1940 - 1st water delivered (Contra Costa
Canal)
CA Department of Water Resources State Water
Project 1960 - Burns Porter Act 1973 - 1st water
to So.Cal.
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Managing Water is Managing Change
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Modern Values, Modern Solutions
Jim Costa
21st century solutions must invest in
sustainability for the environment and economy
20th century solutions focused on resource
extraction for utilitarian purposes.
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Investments in Sustainability

• Sustainability requires comprehensive investments
• Aggressively address all ecosystem stressors
• Investing in Local Resources
• Conservation
• Recycling
• Desalination

• Investing in smart infrastructure

• Dealing with the Elephants in the Room

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Solutions The Changing Role of Infrastructure
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The XYZ Power Company
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The Delta
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Importance of the Bay-Delta
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Delta Inflow
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How Water Gets to the California Economy
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Land SubsidenceDue to Farming Peat Soil
Oxidation
- 30 ft.
- 20 ft.
- 5 ft.
Subsidence

• 1.5 ft. per decade
• 30 ft. in some areas

- 30 feet
Sea Level
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Where California Water Policy is Being Made Today
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New Legal Requirements
A recent federal court decision essentially
restricts the north-to-south flow of water as a
requirement to protect listed fish species under
the ESA
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Bandaids Wont Solve the Problem
If the Delta continues on its current path,
California faces an ugly future of continuing
environmental degradation and ever-tightening
water supply restrictions.DVTF Draft 5, p. 1-15
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Constructing a Safe Landing Place
ACWA Blueprint Task Force 2005
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Governor Schwarzenegger Creates High Level Task
Force
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3-Legged Stool
Water Supply Reliability
Environmental Restoration
Delta As A Place
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Increase Local Resource Investment
Dramatically improved water use efficiency and
alternative supply development must be the
bedrock of California policies . . . p. 1-21
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In the Delta Dual Conveyance
Conservation and efficiency by themselves will
not solve Californias water issues . . . Meeting
the needs of all regions will require improved
conveyance, increased storage, and aggressive
conservation and efficiency improvements. p.
1-21, 22
Eastern Alignment OR
Western Alignment
Operated for The Coequal Goals
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A Flourishing Aquatic EnvironmentThe Delta
Restore Seasonal Wetlands/Grassland
Link Rivers to Floodplains
Restore Upstream Floodplains
Restore Intertidal Marsh
Create Open Water Habitat
Ensure Positive Flows in South Delta (Feb-June)
Ensure Inflow Pulses
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A Flourishing Aquatic Environment Outside The
Delta
Ensure Sacramento River Temperature and Flows
Restore Upstream Floodplains and Migration
Corridors
Ensure San Joaquin River Flows
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Additional Storage for Sustainability
Improved conveyance serves little purpose
without places both north and south of the Delta
to store water. DVTF 4th Draft, p. 22
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The Delta As a Place
Establish a National Heritage Area Create
State Recreation Areas Enterprise Zones at
gateways Provide Incentives for Sustainable
Agriculture
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Governance?
Delta conservancy Enhance Delta Protection
Commission California Water Utility
California Delta Ecosystem and Water Council
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Questions?

• Contact
• Timothy Quinn
• Executive Director
• [phone]
• timq_at_acwa.com
• Association of California Water Agencies
• www.acwa.com