Northern California Water Association

Don't you love when a tool comes along that makes your work life easier? We're excited to introduce Sustainable Conservation's new web resource for restoration project leaders in the Sacramento River Basin. This tool is the result of collaborative efforts, with insights from 80 individuals across 39 organizations, and critical reviews from agency staff and experts. It’s designed to accelerate regional ecological restoration efforts so projects can move forward more efficiently while meeting essential environmental regulations. 🔗 Explore the new tool here! https://lnkd.in/gRUYfgGA

Ted Sommer teams up with Sacramento Valley farmers, reclamation districts, agencies, and universities to create projects to support salmon recovery, which you can learn more about here: https://lnkd.in/gc8aWaM2 But in this video from Public Policy Institute of California we learn that Ted most identifies with frogs 🐸

This week, the State Water Resources Control Board began pivotal hearings on the Sites Reservoir Project, a major initiative to secure California's water future. The project isn't just about water storage—it's about creating opportunities for communities, enhancing environmental stewardship, and driving innovation in water management. Read our latest blog to learn more about the hearings and why we support the Sites Reservoir Project: https://lnkd.in/gC7fcgkY #WaterManagement #Sustainability #CareerOpportunities

For those of us who spend our days in offices or on back-to-back calls, it's easy to forget the breathtaking beauty that exists just beyond our screens. These stunning photos of rice fields in the Sacramento Valley, taken this year, offer a peaceful reminder of why we do what we do. Every acre of rice in production contributes to our environment and economy, creating habitats for wildlife and supporting our communities. Take a break and enjoy the view — a little reminder of the vibrant landscapes we're working to preserve and support.

Thank you to Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Assemblymember Alex Lee and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor for joining NCWA and Western Growers in the Sacramento Valley last week. It was great to talk about the importance of agriculture, water and floodplains in California.

Exciting update! This project will contribute to forest health, watershed resilience, and wildfire prevention—more critical now than ever—while also creating new jobs and business opportunities in the area. Congratulations to Yuba Water Agency and all the partners who made this possible!

Forbes recently interviewed our Board Chair, Bryce Lundberg, and Brita Lundberg about Lundberg Family Farms journey to be 100% Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) by 2027! Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/d_n6k2PE

On July 24, the Butte-Sutter Basin Coordinated Operations Group (BSBCOG) hosted a field trip to key sites in Butte Creek. Established by NCWA and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), BSBCOG focuses on improving fish passage for spring-run Chinook salmon. Field trip highlights included: Centerville Bridge: A holding area for migrating adult salmon, where CDFW conducts snorkel surveys. Parrott Phelan Dam: Features a fish ladder and fish screen, crucial for protecting fish during water diversions. Lahar Formation: A natural barrier under study by Ducks Unlimited to enhance fish passage. Rancho Esquon Dam and Fish Ladder: Another critical site with a fish ladder and diversion improvements from the 1990s salmon recovery effort. This collaborative effort showcases ongoing work to support salmon recovery in Butte Creek.

MOU members met this week at the California Trout office in Woodland, CA. It was a productive meeting among members including the California Rice Commission, California Trout, Ducks Unlimited, and Northern California Water Association. The purpose of this MOU is to promote functioning ecosystems and sustainable water supplies in California’s Sacramento Valley!

Check out the latest from the Public Policy Institute of California: Californians have been facing a record heat wave and wildfires across the state this summer. The state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit prompted spending cuts for climate and energy programs. In response, the legislature approved a $10 billion state bond for the November ballot that asks voters to approve more funding for drought, floods, wildfires, coastal resilience, and extreme heat mitigation. The deep partisan divide on climate and energy policies surfaced in the presidential debate on June 27. Key findings of the Californians and the Environment survey on local, state, and national issues and coastal and inland topics that was conducted June 24–July 2, 2024 are at the link below: https://lnkd.in/d89ixXSY