About the Program
Although 2016 was somewhat wetter than the previous four years, a fifth year of drought keeps water at the top of the state’s policy agenda. This conference looks at what’s on tap in key areas, including strengthening urban drought resilience, managing groundwater in rural areas, addressing declining ecosystem health, and ensuring safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities.
Join PPIC Water Policy Center researchers and a diverse group of federal, state, and local experts for a thought-provoking discussion about policy priorities for the coming water year.
This event made possible with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Agenda
7:30 a.m. Registration begins and breakfast available
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
Ellen Hanak, center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
8:15 a.m. Panel 1: Building Drought Resilience in Urban Communities
Moderator: Ellen Hanak
Jennifer Burke, deputy director of water & engineering resources, City of Santa Rosa
Wade Crowfoot, chief executive officer, Water Foundation
Fiona Sanchez, director of water resources, Irvine Ranch Water District
9:15 a.m. Panel 2: Implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
Moderator: Thomas Harter, professor, University of California, Davis
Eric Averett, general manager, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Thad Bettner, general manager, Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District
Karen Ross, secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture
10:15 a.m. Panel 3: Environmental Impacts, Endangered Species Act, and Extinction
Moderator: Buzz Thompson, senior fellow and founding Perry L. McCarty director, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment
Phil Isenberg, former chair, Delta Stewardship Council
Jeff Mount, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Kate Poole, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
11:15 a.m. Panel 4: Disadvantaged Communities and Access to Safe Drinking Water
Moderator: Brian Gray, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Lance Eckhart, director of basin management and resource planning, Mojave Water Agency
Laurel Firestone, co-founder and co-director, Community Water Center
Darrin Polhemus, deputy director, Division of Financial Assistance, State Water Resources Control Board
12:15 p.m. Program adjourns and informal lunch begins
Event Videos
Building Drought Resilience in Urban Communities
Implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
Environmental Impacts, Endangered Species Act, and Extinction
