The Landscape: Introduction to California Water California Water Law Symposium

1. The Landscape: Introduction to California Water California Water Law Symposium David A. Sandino Chief Counsel California Department of Water Resources (916) 653-7084 dsandino@water.ca.gov January 30, 2010

2. Summary of Presentation • Overview of California’s water landscape • Preview of today’s conference • Aimed for new water devotee

3. How Do We Manage Water?

4. The Whole World is Watching! • The Economist Special Report • 60 Minutes Segment • Legislature and Governor • National Academy of Sciences

5. Forces Driving the California Water Landscape • Hydrology • Residential & lifestyle choices • Water supply infrastructure • Regional approaches • Water demands • Population growth • Climate change • Governance

6. California’s Hydrology • 2/3’s of the water supply falls in Northern California • 2/3’s of the population lives in Southern California • Varies from year to year, season to season, and region to region

7. Water Variabilityand Use • 2/3 of precipitation in north • 2/3 of use in south

8. Current Statewide Water Conditions • Water supplies were reduced statewide (40% SWP) in 2009 due to dry hydrology and changing environmental protections in the Delta • State Water Project announced 5% supply on December 1 • Recent rains are helpful but not a panacea • Lake Oroville: 50% of average

9. CaliforniaWaterSystems

10. Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region Supplies water to 25 million Californians

11. The Delta Region • Convergence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers • 40% (30 MAF) of California’s average runoff • 2/3 of California’s water consumption • Legacy communities and agriculture • Fish and wildlife resources

12. California’s Water Balance • Average Total Supply: 120 MAF • In dry years, insufficient supplies to meet total demand: environment, urban, and agriculture • Supply has been met through demand reduction, water transfers, and groundwater overdraft • See 2009 California Water Plan @ DWR website for details

13. Environmental Water • Water dedicated for in-stream flow • Federal and State Wild and Scenic Rivers Acts • San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta outflow requirements • Water Dedicated to Delta Endangered Species protection

14. Delta Smelt

15. 2008 Delta Smelt & 2009 Salmon Biological Opinions • Avoid jeopardy and improve habitat • Authorized SWP and CVP operations • Reduce SWP and CVP supplies reliability up to 30% depending on hydrology and fish presence

16. California’s Population Growth • California’s population is growing rapidly • 1970-----20 million • 1980-----24 million • 1990-----30 million • 2010-----38 million • 2020-----42 million? • 2050-----60 million?

17. Expected Storage Capacity Impacts from Changes in Runoff Due to Climate Change 13.5 MAF Reservoir Storage 14 MAF Snow Pack Storage 11 MAF Reservoir Storage A 3oC increase in temperature is projected to result in an increase in snow elevation of 1500 feet and a 4 to 5 MAFdecrease in Sierra snow pack

18. Governance: the Legal Flow of California Water

19. Who Is Involved in Governance? • Federal Government: EPA, USBR, Corps, Wildlife Agencies • State Government: SWRCB, DWR, DFG, CPUC, Delta Stewardship Council • Local Government: Cities, Counties, Local Water Agencies • Stakeholders: Urban, Agriculture, Environment, Tribes, Recreation, & Energy • Congress and State Legislature • Courts: Federal and State

20. Water Legislation: Reform or Retreat?

21. “The history of California is written on its waters.” --Justice Ronald B. Robie State Water Resources Control Board Cases (2006) 136 Cal.Ap.4th 674, 687

22. 4 Key Components of Water Legislation Delta Governance and Sustainability Statewide Water Conservation Groundwater Monitoring Water Supply Reliability Funding: November Bond Measure

23. Long Term Actions California Aqueduct • Sustain and increase conservation • Diversify regional supplies • Increase storage • Fix the Delta • Conveyance • Habitat • Sustain investment

24. Which Way to the California Water Law Symposium?