Groundwater is one of California’s most precious hidden assets. In the Sacramento Valley, between 26% and 31% of the total farm and urban use is groundwater according to a new fact sheet by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Access to high quality groundwater is vital to this region, particularly after three consecutive dry years where surface supplies are not available in certain parts of the Valley.

The water resources managers in the Sacramento Valley have developed agricultural water management plans to guide important water management throughout the Sacramento Valley.

I had a wonderful opportunity earlier today to join several esteemed leaders in asking the Legislature and our Governor to invest in California’s water future. At our state’s capitol this morning, I joined Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Nature Conservancy’s Jay Ziegler, Cesar Diaz from the State Building and Construction Trades Council, Stan Van Vleck from Downey Brand, and elected leaders from throughout the region in supporting a water bond that provides strong provisions to improve water supply reliability for people and nature.

The Northern California Water Association has developed a new infographic highlighting the Pacific Flyway lands in the Sacramento Valley. The Pacific Flyway is a prominent part of the land use and culture of the Valley. Every fall, the region transitions into prime habitat for the shorebirds, migratory waterfowl, raptors and other species that utilize the Flyway. This is only possible because water suppliers are able to deliver adequate, timely and high quality water supplies throughout the year to the varied lands providing habitat benefits. To learn more about the Sacramento Valley portion of the Pacific Flyway and to see the new infographic, visit the NCWA website at: www.norcalwater.org