By David Guy
The leaders in the Sacramento Valley, through the Northern California Water Association (NCWA), work hard to cultivate a shared vision for a vibrant way of life and to actively manage the region’s precious water resources, which are essential for all forms of life—people, fish and wildlife. To implement this shared vision, the NCWA Board of Directors on January 5, 2022 adopted our Strategic Planning and 2022 Priorities. With this year emerging as one of the driest years within the driest decade on record, conservation is a way of life and we elevate four principles that guide our actions this year, which also help advance our long-term goals for the region.
- Water Serves Multiple Benefits. Available water in the Sacramento Valley is being carefully and purposely managed to provide multiple benefits with the same water and to make sure that all critical needs are met from ridgetop to river mouth. As an example, a coalition of farmers, water suppliers, and conservationists are working with leading biologists to better connect water to the landscape in ways that grow food in harmony for people, fish, birds and other wildlife, which in turn supports our vital rivers and makes them healthier. These partnerships are bolstering scientific knowledge, producing better options for restoring habitats and species, and helping wildlife and agriculture-reliant communities adapt to more frequent droughts.
- Address Major Challenges. Although every use of water suffers in dry years, when challenges arise in the region with respect to a particular use of water, we continue to learn how to best manage for long-term resiliency and we respond with urgency in a systematic way to address the problem. The North State Drinking Water Solutions Network connects community leaders to the information, technical assistance and financial resources needed to uphold the human right to water. The Sacramento Valley Salmon Recovery Program and various programs to support birds and the Pacific Flyway are dedicated to improving conditions for fish and wildlife.
- One California. The Sacramento Valley is an important part of California and regional leaders are committed to steward its water resources to help all Californians in times of need. We work closely with state and regional leaders to help ensure water for public health and safety needs and we work with urban areas and our neighbors to ensure high quality water for the benefit of our communities through water transfers, sharing arrangements, and water quality programs.
- Collaboration. NCWA convenes the Northern California Coordination Task Force, including state and federal water managers, regulators, wildlife agencies, and our conservation partners. Through frequent information sessions and seasonal scenario planning, this collective effort has developed a common understanding of conditions and challenges, helped all parties understand the obligations and constraints of their colleagues, and improved the quality and timeliness of critical decisions, as well as developing respect and trust across the board.
