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Water and the Sierra Nevada

Water and the Sierra Nevada. There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California. Edward Abbey. We Are Losing the Policy Battle. Many policy makers and the media largely ignore the importance of the Region.

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Water and the Sierra Nevada

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Water and theSierra Nevada

  2. There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.Edward Abbey

  3. We Are Losing the Policy Battle • Many policy makers and the media largely ignore the importance of the Region. • Many key decision makers truly do not understand the linkage. • Downstream beneficiaries aren’t engaged in upstream issues.

  4. It Shows • One per-cent of funding in the proposed water bond for the state’s primary watershed. • BDCP and other policy discussions are devoid of references to the Sierra and its importance.

  5. What’s at Stake • Future IRWM Funding for the upper watershed areas • Future water bond funding for the Region • Disadvantaged when other funding opportunities emerge, such as C&T Auction Revenue

  6. Myth Busting • In order to change the discussion, and have success on important policy and fiscal decisions, we need to bust 3 myths relating to • water and the Sierra Nevada

  7. Myth # 1 • The Delta • Is the Primary Source • Of CA’s Water

  8. The Sierra Nevada Region is CA’s Primary Water Source • More than 60% of the state’s developed water supply • Urban water source, e.g. • San Francisco  85% from Hetch Hetchy • East Bay  90% from Mokelumne • Major water source agriculture • Half of the inflow to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

  9. Myth # 2 • What Happens in the Sierra • Stays in the Sierra

  10. The Condition of the Sierra Affects All of California • The Sierra Nevada is the primary source of mercury in the Delta and Bay. • Sediment in the upper watersheds ends up in lakes and reservoirs, reducing storage • Fires pollute our air, release GGHs, destroy habitat and reduce recreational opportunities.

  11. USGS Reservoir Sedimentation Model • A USGS modeling exercise found • the following: • The model predicted that at present, over 120 reservoirs have capacities reduced to less than 25% of original and almost 190 reservoirs with less than 50% of original capacity • Watershed variables that influence sediment transport and deposition: • fires and forest health • development, land-use, mining & abandoned mine sites • climatic events Figure 1b from Estimating reservoir sedimentation rates at large spatial – and temporal – scales: a case study of California - (Figure 1b).

  12. Mokelumne EnvironmentalBenefits Analysis

  13. Myth # 3 • The Forests and Watersheds • of the Sierra Nevada are Healthy

  14. The Sierra Is In a Crisis Situation • Many forests in the Sierra are overgrown and unhealthy, at risk of disease and large damaging fires. • Many Sierra meadows are not properly functioning. • Water quality is a major concern in many Sierra streams.

  15. A Changing Climate

  16. The Consequences of the Fire/Flood Cycle

  17. Call to Action • Investment and policy decisions regarding meeting the state’s water needs must consider, at a minimum: • Restoring Forest Health and Reducing Risk of Catastrophic Fire • Restoring Watershed and Meadow Function • Improving water quality • Improving aging infrastructure • Addressing Sedimentation and Capacity in Reservoirs

  18. “Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.” • Theodore Roosevelt

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