Report Water Stress and a Changing San Joaquin Valley By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Richard Howitt, Peter Moyle ... Mar 1, 2017 The San Joaquin Valley—California’s largest agricultural region and an important contributor to the nation’s food supply—is facing growing water stress and a number of related environmental and public health problems. Large parts of the valley have become dependent on unsustainable pumping of groundwater. Tackling these linked issues with cooperative, coordinated approaches is key to success. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the TomKat Foundation, and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Report Accounting for California’s Water By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Brian Gray, Henry McCann Jul 20, 2016 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. This research was supported with funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Water Foundation, an initiative of the Resources Legacy Fund.
Report Managing Water for the Environment During Drought: Lessons from Victoria, Australia By Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Caitrin Chappelle, Nathaniel Seavy ... Jun 22, 2016 Drought management tools developed to sustain Australia’s environment during a decade-long drought are broadly applicable in California and could help the state’s water managers reduce the devastating effects of water scarcity on native species and ecosystems. This report identifies four broad areas of reform that could improve how the state allocates environmental water during dry times, and reduce conflict over the use of water for environmental purposes. This research was supported with funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Water Foundation, an initiative of the Resources Legacy Fund.
Report Allocating California’s Water: Directions for Reform By Brian Gray, Ellen Hanak, Richard Frank, Richard Howitt ... Nov 17, 2015 California’s water allocation system hampers its ability to meet the state’s needs, especially in times of drought. At its heart is an unusually complex array of water rights. This report summarizes challenges and suggests reforms to strengthen the state’s ability to weather droughts and shifting economic demands for water, while maintaining the existing seniority of water rights. Read a summary of the report’s policy recommendations. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report What If California’s Drought Continues? By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Aug 19, 2015 California is in the fourth year of a severe, hot drought—the kind that is increasingly likely as the climate warms. Although no sector has been untouched, impacts so far have varied greatly, reflecting different levels of drought preparedness. Urban areas are in the best shape, thanks to sustained investments in diversified water portfolios and conservation. Farmers are more vulnerable, but they are also adapting. The greatest vulnerabilities are in some low-income rural communities where wells are running dry and in California’s wetlands, rivers, and forests, where the state’s iconic biodiversity is under extreme threat. Two to three more years of drought will increase challenges in all areas and require continued—and likely increasingly difficult—adaptations. Emergency programs will need to be significantly expanded to get drinking water to rural residents and to prevent major losses of waterbirds and extinctions of numerous native fish species, including most salmon runs. California also needs to start a longer-term effort to build drought resilience in the most vulnerable areas.
Report Policy Priorities for Managing Drought By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Mar 16, 2015 State, federal, and local water managers have worked diligently to reduce the economic, social, and environmental harm from the current drought. But as the drought continues, the challenges will grow more acute. California can learn from experiences to date—and from Australia’s response to its Millennium Drought—to better prepare both for the year ahead and for future droughts. State leaders should address weaknesses in four areas of drought preparation and response, by: 1) improving water use information, 2) setting clear goals and priorities for public health and the environment, 3) promoting water conservation and more resilient water supplies, and 4) strengthening environmental management.
Report Paying for Water in California By Ellen Hanak, Dean Misczynski, Jay Lund, Brian Gray ... Mar 12, 2014 California faces serious funding gaps in five key areas of water management—including safe drinking water in small, disadvantaged communities; flood protection; management of stormwater and other polluted runoff; aquatic ecosystem management; and integrated water management. These gaps amount to $2 billion to $3 billion a year. But bold efforts by state and local leaders can pave the way to sustainable solutions for California’s critical water resources. This research is supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the California Water Foundation, an initiative of the Resources Legacy Fund. Technical Appendices Appendix A. The Legal Framework External Resource: Hastings Law Journal, Vol. 65: p 1603, Paying for Water: The Legal Framework Appendix B. Estimates of Water Sector Expenditures, Revenues, and Needs Appendix C. State General Obligation Bond Spending on Water Appendix D. Using the Water Fee Model to Assess Funding Alternatives Appendix E. Local Ballot Measures to Fund the Water System Data Sets Data Set: State General Obligation Bond Spending on Water Data Set: Local Water-Funding Ballot Measure
Report Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, William Fleenor, Jeffrey Mount ... Apr 29, 2013 California is at a critical juncture on policy for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. This report summarizes the results of a wide-ranging study of cost-effective ways to improve the health of the Delta ecosystem. It highlights the need for science-based, integrated management of the many sources of ecosystem stress. The report also recommends improvements to the highly fragmented system of oversight that now involves dozens of federal, state, and local agencies. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Several companion reports contain related findings: Aquatic Ecosystem Stressors in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Mount et al. 2012) summarizes the science of Delta ecosystem stressors for a policymaking audience. Costs of Ecosystem Management Actions for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Medellín-Azuara et al. 2013) assesses costs of water management actions. Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options (Gray et al. 2013) lays out proposals for institutional reform of science, management, and regulation. Scientist and Stakeholder Views on the Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) presents detailed results of the two surveys conducted by the report’s authors. Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species (Moyle et al. 2012) outlines a realistic long-term vision for achieving a healthier ecosystem.
Report Scientist and Stakeholder Views on the Delta Ecosystem By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Apr 28, 2013 There is broad scientific recognition that a wide range of ecosystem stressors are responsible for the declines in native fish populations in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. But science and policymaking have been at odds about the roles of different stressors and the potential of various management actions to improve ecosystem health. In the summer of 2012, PPIC conducted two confidential surveys on the impact of ecosystem stressors: one sought input from scientific experts and the other focused on stakeholders and policymakers. This report analyzes the results and examines the implications of both surveys. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Several companion reports contain related findings: Aquatic Ecosystem Stressors in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Mount et al. 2012) summarizes the science of Delta ecosystem stressors for a policymaking audience. Costs of Ecosystem Management Actions for the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Medellín-Azuara et al. 2013) assesses costs of water management actions. Integrated Management of Delta Stressors: Institutional and Legal Options (Gray et al. 2013) lays out proposals for institutional reform of science, management, and regulation. Stress Relief: Prescriptions for a Healthier Delta Ecosystem (Hanak et al. 2013) summarizes the overall research project and the recommendations it generated. Where the Wild Things Aren’t: Making the Delta a Better Place for Native Species (Moyle et al. 2012) outlines a realistic long-term vision for achieving a healthier ecosystem.
