Meeting of the California Water Commission - June 16, 2021
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In accordance with Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-33-20, as well as recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, the June 16, 2021, California Water Commission meeting will not have a physical location. This will be a remote-only meeting, conducted via a web-based videoconferencing service called Zoom. The Commission remains committed to transparency. Members of the public will be able to listen to and watch the meeting and comment if desired.
Registration is not required to provide public comments. Members of the public who wish to comment during the meeting can do so by joining on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85475465123?pwd=TzFBQ2ZGUmVsYnJjblhlQW5IeExoZz09). More detailed instructions on how to use Zoom and participate in the meeting can be found on the public participation guide.
Alternatively, members of the public can offer verbal comments by telephone by calling one of the numbers below:
Passcode: 901696
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Closed Session
The Commission may hold a closed session, as authorized by Government Code §11126(e), to confer with and receive advice from its legal counsel regarding potential litigation, and as authorized by Government Code §11126(a).
4. Approval of May 19, 2021 Meeting Minutes
5. Executive Officer's Report
The Executive Officer will report on various matters addressed since the previous Commission meeting.
6. Commission Member Reports
This is an opportunity for members to disclose any meetings or conversations related to Commission business since the previous Commission meeting.
7. Public Testimony
Although no formal Commission action will be taken, the Commission offers an opportunity for the public to address the Commission on items of interest that are within the Commission’s jurisdiction, but that do not specifically appear on the agenda.
8. Assessing a State Role in Financing Conveyance: Presentation of White Paper (Action Item)
As part of the Commission’s work assessing a state role in financing resilient conveyance projects, Commission staff will present the white paper for Commission consideration and possible approval.
Correspondence Received:
9. Eminent Domain Process Overview
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has the authority to acquire property for constructing, maintaining, and/or operating State Water Project facilities via the process of eminent domain (Water Code §§11575, 11580), but DWR cannot commence an eminent domain proceeding until the Commission has adopted a resolution of necessity (Code of Civil Procedure §§1245.210, 1245.220). Commission counsel will provide an overview of the Commission’s process for making resolutions of necessity for eminent domain proceedings.
10. Water Storage Investment Program: Sites Project Update
Representatives of the Sites Project will provide an overview of the proposed project and update the Commission on the project’s current status and progress.
11. Water Storage Investment Program: Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project Update
Representatives of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project will provide an overview of the proposed project and update the Commission on the project’s current status and progress.
12. Water Storage Investment Program: Eligibility Requirements
Water Code §79757 states that a project is not eligible for Water Storage Investment Program funding unless project proponents and the Commission complete several statutory requirements by January 1, 2022. Project proponents must provide completed feasibility studies, draft environmental documentation made available for public review, and commitments for at least 75 percent of the non-public benefit cost share of the project. The Commission must find the project to be feasible. In preparation for projects completing these requirements and the Commission making feasibility findings later this year, Commission staff will provide a process overview of how this information will be submitted, reviewed, and presented to enable Commission action regarding project feasibility.
13. Water Trading: Panel Discussion on Markets and Groundwater Trading
As part of the Commission’s consideration of well-managed groundwater trading programs to support Water Resilience Portfolio Action 3.6, a panel of speakers will discuss why markets may be considered by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, what groundwater trading entails, its opportunities and limitations, and how it is connected to water accounting, allocations, and sustainable groundwater management.
- PowerPoint Presentation: Panel Discussion on Markets and Groundwater Trading
- PowerPoint Presentation: Enhancing Regional Water Sustainability through Virtual Water Trading
- PowerPoint Presentation: Water Trading and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
- PowerPoint Presentation: Advancing Well-Designed Water Trading Programs in California
- PowerPoint Presentation: Kaweah Subbasin Water Marketing Strategy
- PowerPoint Presentation: Water Markets: Considerations and Suggestions
14. Consideration of Items for Next California Water Commission Meeting
15. Adjourn
*The Commission may break for lunch as needed.*
Written comments regarding specific items on this agenda will be provided to the Commissioners as part of their meeting packets if they are received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 14. Staff will make every effort to provide comments received after this deadline electronically, but we cannot make any guarantees.