California Water Commission
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| California Water Commission | |
|---|---|
| Name | California Water Commission |
| Formation | 1914 |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
| Region served | California |
| Leader title | Chair |
California Water Commission The California Water Commission is a state-level body based in Sacramento, California responsible for advising on water resources policy, evaluating water infrastructure proposals, and administering funds for water storage projects in California. It interacts with agencies such as the Department of Water Resources (California), the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Natural Resources Agency, and local entities including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Commissioners collaborate with stakeholders from the Central Valley Project, the California State Water Project, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and the Delta Stewardship Council.
History
The commission traces roots to early 20th-century efforts to coordinate irrigation and reclamation after events like the 1914 California water reforms and debates following the construction of the Shasta Dam and the Oroville Dam. It was reconstituted and expanded through reforms linked to ballot measures such as Proposition 1 (2014) and legislative acts involving the California State Legislature, the Governor of California, and departments including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Key historical interactions include oversight during crises like the California droughts of the 1970s, 1990s, and 2012–2016, and reviews of projects connected to the Central Valley Project Improvement Act and litigation involving the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Organization and Membership
Membership is appointed by the Governor of California and confirmed by the California State Senate; commissioners often include representatives from agriculture, urban utilities, environmental organizations, and tribal governments such as the Yurok Tribe and Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. The commission works with staff from the Department of Water Resources (California), legal counsel from the California Attorney General's office, and liaisons to bodies like the California Environmental Protection Agency and the State Auditor of California. Meetings are held in venues across Sacramento, California, the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, and the Coachella Valley to engage stakeholders including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Contra Costa Water District, and the San Diego County Water Authority.
Roles and Responsibilities
The commission evaluates grant applications under funding measures such as Proposition 1 (2014), conducts hearings on proposals by entities like the California State Water Project operators, and issues recommendations to the California Natural Resources Agency and the Legislative Analyst's Office. It advises on storage projects (e.g., offstream storage proposals), reviews environmental impact reports connected to the California Environmental Quality Act process, and helps prioritize investments affecting ecosystems such as the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and habitats managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The commission also consults with federal partners including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Major Projects and Programs
Notable projects reviewed include proposals related to large reservoirs near the Delta Mendota Canal, offstream storage in the Mokelumne River watershed, and water conveyance modifications impacting the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River. The commission has evaluated programs tied to flood risk reduction in areas like Yuba County and Butte County, groundwater sustainability coordination under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and watershed restoration efforts funded by Proposition 1 (2014). It has engaged in project review for partnerships with entities such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the California Farm Bureau Federation.
Funding and Budget
Funding administration includes allocating bond proceeds from Proposition 1 (2014) for storage and ecosystem restoration, coordinating with the State Treasurer of California and the Department of Finance (California) on appropriations, and overseeing grant agreements with recipients including the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, county water agencies, and tribal water programs. Budget oversight is conducted in cooperation with the California State Controller and reviews by the Legislative Analyst's Office, while projects may leverage federal funds from programs administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Policy and Regulation
The commission provides recommendations influencing statutes passed by the California State Legislature and administered by the California Natural Resources Agency, affecting implementation of laws such as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and mandates under the California Environmental Quality Act. It coordinates regulatory advice with the State Water Resources Control Board on water rights, with cross-cutting issues involving the California Coastal Commission when coastal watersheds are implicated, and with the California Public Utilities Commission for infrastructure financing questions.
Controversies and Criticism
Critiques have arisen from environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council over projects perceived to harm the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem, and from agricultural stakeholders represented by the Western Growers Association regarding project prioritization and cost allocation. Legal challenges have involved parties such as the Friends of the River and disputes in state courts including filings with the California Supreme Court on water storage approvals. Fiscal scrutiny by the Legislative Analyst's Office and media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle has highlighted tension over bond spending, while tribal groups including the Hoopa Valley Tribe have sought greater consultation rights during project reviews.