September 27, 2011

Delta Conveyance Tunnel Could Create Nearly 130,000 Jobs

Report: Delta Conveyance Tunnel Could Create Nearly 130,000 Jobs

The findings of a new studyconducted by the Brattle Groupwere presented at today’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) public meeting. According to the findings, the construction of a Delta conveyance tunnel as part of  theBDCP could add 130,000 jobs to the struggling California economy over seven years of construction. The tunnel is one of several new conveyance options being considered by the BDCP.

The report projected job creation estimates respective to two different tunnel options – the larger of which would have the capacity to carry 15,000 cubic feet  of water per second (cfs), and the smaller of which would carry 3,000 cfs. 

Jobs created by the first option would total about  130,000 during the construction period, while the second option would create about  74,000 new jobs.

For more information about SCWC’s involvement in the BDCPand other Delta issues, visit our Bay Delta page online.

Register Now for SCWC's 27th Annual Dinner Nov. 17

On Nov. 17, hundreds of stakeholders and opinion leaders from across the state will gather in the City of Industry for our flagship event of the year – the SCWC Annual Dinner.

Don’t miss out! SCWC’s Annual Dinner is the premier networking event in Southern California. Stay tuned for information on our special keynote speaker and honorees.

Make sure to buy a table and register today. Last year’s event sold out rapidly. Many stakeholders have already begun registering and buying tables. Early sponsors include:

•    Black & Veatch
•    Irvine Ranch Water District
•    Parsons
•    KP Public Affairs
•    Downey Brand Attorneys
•    GK & Associates
•    Upper San Gabriel Valley MWD
•    Hatch Mott McDonald
•    Santa Margarita Water District
•    Moulton Niguel Water District

SCWC Helps Members & Stakeholders With Urban Water Planning Efforts

SCWC hosted its fourth Urban Water Planning Workshop of the year last Friday, continuing the organization’s successful efforts to help members and stakeholders as they look back on the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) submittal process, and forward to the next set of plans due in 2015.

The workshop featured expert guidance from a diverse and influential array of water leaders, including representatives from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, theCalifornia Department of Water Resources, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Mojave Water Agency, Kern County Water Agency, Coachella Valley Water District, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Irvine Ranch Water District, Western Municipal Water District, Kidman Behrens & Tague and Best Best & Krieger.

Topics for discussion included regional perspectives on 2010 UWMP and IRWMP collaboration, a report on the DWR review process and timeline, challenges to submitting UWMPs on time, MWD member agency UWMPs, case studies and potential issues with the 2015 UWMP submittal process.

SCWC sincerely thanks our presenters and panelists for their time and expertise, as well as Best Best & Krieger for sponsoring lunch.

All presentations given at last Friday’s workshop are available online now. For more information on SCWC’s involvement in urban water planning issues, visit the Urban Water Planning page on our website.

Federal Judge Known for High-Profile Rulings on Water Issues Prepares to Leave the Bench

Judge Oliver W. Wanger, the veteran Federal District Court judge who presided over the Delta smelt case, among other high-profile proceedings, will step down from the bench this Fridayafter two decades of service.

Judge Wanger, recognized by his peers for his devotion to the law, was appointed to the bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1991 after a long career in the private sector. After leaving his post, he plans to return to the private sector.

Upcoming Legislative Hearings of Interest

Two legislative hearings are set to take place on Wednesday, Oct. 19 that will greatly impact the statewide dialogue on moving forward with a comprehensive Delta fix.

At 9am in State Capitol Room 437, the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee will hold a Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) oversight hearing, during which they will hear a status update on the BDCP from key statewide water leaders.

Later in the afternoon, at 2pm, the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management and the Select Committee on Regional Approaches to Addressing the State’s Water Crisis will hold a hearing on water reliability and seismic risk at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California，Large Board Hearing Room.

SCWC is monitoring both of these items closely, and will issue updates as they become available. For more information onSCWC’s involvement in Delta issues, visit our Bay Delta pageonline.

Are You on Facebook? So are We!

With so much happening in the world of California water, there couldn’t be a better time to join SCWC on Facebook.

To “like” our page and receive up-to-the-minute news, information and resources on California water issues, just visit us atwww.facebook.com/socalwater and click the “Like” button. Then, check your news feed often to stay connected.

New to Facebook? Joining is free and easy. Just visitwww.facebook.com and follow the simple steps. Then, check outSCWC’s Facebook page and never be out of touch with the latest water news, information and resources.

Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state's water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern Counties, the SCWC's members include representatives from business, government, labor, agriculture, water agencies and the general public.