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Below are some recent announcements from the CA Resources Agency. To view the full drought update, click here.

Study Revealing California’s ‘Water Windfall’ Overhyped: By David Gutierrez, Special to The Bee: California’s drought has grabbed headlines across the country and world for several years. So when Stanford University researchers recently proclaimed they had found in California a “water windfall” – three times the “freshwater and useable water” than previously known – it was no surprise the media went into overdrive. But it would be a poor use of resources and energy to attempt to tap this water, given the expense of deep drilling, the impact on an area already experiencing alarming subsidence and the questionable quality of the water itself. Most importantly, the authors miss the point that California must be able to depend on groundwater by using and recharging it in responsible, sustainable ways.

July 26: State Water Resources Control Board Hearing on WaterFix: The purpose of the hearing is for the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board or Board) to receive evidence relevant to determining whether the State Water Board should approve, subject to terms and conditions, the California Department of Water Resources’ and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (petitioners) joint petition to add three new points of diversion and/or points of rediversion of water to specified water right permits for the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project associated with the California WaterFix Project. Notice  Press Release

Sustainable Groundwater Management Program Best Management Practices: The purpose of the Best Management Practices (BMP) Development Framework (Framework), now available on the DWR BMP webpage, is to outline the Department of Water Resource’s approach to and timing for developing and updating BMPs as part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Program. The Framework describes how interested parties, advisory groups, local agencies, and basin stakeholders can participate in the development of BMPs, and presents the schedule for developing the initial set of BMPs.

State Water Board Approves Prop 1 Storm Water Planning Grants: The State Water Resources Control Board has announced it is awarding $9.5 million in grant funds to 28 storm water planning projects under the Proposition 1 Storm Water Grant Program. The grant funds will supplement more than $8.8 million in local matching funds. More Information

Public Policy Institute of California Issued Report Entitled “Accounting for California’s Water”: Understanding California’s balance sheet for water—how much there is, who has claims to it, and what is actually being “spent”—is key to effectively managing the state’s limited water supply in support of a healthy economy and environment. This report compares California’s water accounting systems to those of 11 other western states, Australia, and Spain. It identifies gaps in California’s water information systems, and proposes a dozen ways to bridge them. Read a summary of the report’s policy recommendations. Full Report

Reclamation Increases Friant Division 2016 Class 1 Water Supply Allocation to 75 Percent Along With an Exchange Agreement to Support South-of-Delta Operations: The Bureau of Reclamation announced an additional increase in the water supply allocation to the Friant Division contractors of their Class 1 water from 65 to 75 percent. The initial Friant Division water supply allocation announced on April 1, 2016, was 30 percent Class 1 water supply; an additional 100,000 acre-feet of Uncontrolled Season supply was made available to avert flood control concerns and needed to be delivered by the end of April. More Information

Burn Ban Restrictions: During certain times of the year, when fire danger is high, residential debris burning of dead vegetation is unsafe. When the weather begins to warm up and fire danger increases, CAL FIRE will restrict all residential debris burning. When a burn restriction is in place there is absolutely no debris burning allowed.  A list of all the burn bans currently in effect can be found here: Burn Bans.

Water Efficiency Rebates:  The Department of Water Resources is still offering rebates for removing turf and replacing it with low water using landscapes and replacing toilets at California single-family residences to support the State’s drought response.  For more information, visit SaveOurWaterRebates.com.

Report Water Waste: Save Water Report is an online tool that allows you to help save water in your community. California is suffering one of the most severe droughts in state history. Every drop of water saved and every suspected leak fixed will help secure our water supply. This site lets you easily report water waste from your phone, tablet or computer. Select the type of water waste, type in the address and click send. Your report is directed to the water agency serving the location where the report was made. All reporting is anonymous. SaveWater.CA.Gov