Governor Brown Declares State of Emergency in California to Bolster Wildfire Response: With wildfires burning across the state – exacerbated by severe drought conditions and extreme weather – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on July 31 declared a state of emergency in California to help mobilize additional firefighting and disaster response resources. “California’s severe drought and extreme weather have turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” said Governor Brown. “Our courageous firefighters are on the front lines and we’ll do everything we can to help them.” Proclamation of State of Emergency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Prop 1 Grant Solicitation: CDFW is now accepting proposals for restoration projects to be funded from the 2014 Water Bond. A total of $31.4 million in Proposition 1 funds that was made available in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-2016 State Budget will be awarded through CDFW’s two Proposition 1 Restoration Grant Programs. The Watershed Restoration Grant Program will fund up to $24 million in projects of statewide importance outside of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, while the Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program will fund up to $7 million in projects that specifically benefit the Delta. The FY 2015-2016 Proposal Solicitation Notice, application instructions and other information about the Restoration Grant Programs are available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Watersheds/Restoration-Grants.
California Coastal Conservancy Prop 1 Grant Solicitation: The Coastal Conservancy announced a new round of competitive grants to fund multi-benefit watershed restoration and ecosystem protection projects. These grants will be funded by the Proposition 1 Water Bond approved by California voters last fall. Applications are due September 30, 2015. More Information
California Water Use Drops 27.3 Percent, Exceeds 25 Percent Mandate for June: With record-breaking heat throughout much of the State in June, Californians continued to conserve water, reducing water use by 27.3 percent and exceeding Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s 25 percent mandate in the first month that the new emergency conservation regulation was in effect. “Californians understand the severity of the drought and they are taking action, as shown by the numbers released today,” said Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. “We didn’t know if the positive showing in May was due in part to cooler temperatures. This report shows that residents knew they had to keep conserving even during the summer heat and they kept the sprinklers off more than they would in a normal year. That’s the right attitude as we head into August and September heat–in the drought of the century with no certain end date.” Press Release
SaveWater.CA.Gov Launched to Help Communities Identify Water Waste: To help Californians save more water this summer, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Technology and Save Our Water announced the launch of SaveWater.CA.Gov. The new mobile-optimized website will allow residents to report suspected leaks and water waste anywhere in the state from their smartphones, tablets and computers. The announcement was made following the release of June 2015 statewide conservation progress. Press Release
Agricultural Water Management Plan Guidebook Released by DWR for Water Suppliers’ Use: To help mid-sized farm water districts prepare water management plans, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has updated its guidebook on preparation of such plans. DWR released its final 2015 Agricultural Water Management Plan Guidebook, which farm water districts can use in preparing and submitting their required plans to DWR. First required by 2009 legislation, such plans include a detailed account of water supplies, demands and deliveries to farm customers, as well as a report on the efficient water management practices that have been adopted by the irrigation or water district. Press Release
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