Water

Opportunity

The predictions that water would become more valuable than oil are coming true.  We must face the likelihood that a dryer and hotter climate is the “new normal.”  The threat of long-lasting droughts from climate change requires adaptation to live within our water means.  NBLC sees opportunities to increase conservation, water reuse and recycling and better water management as way to ensure that we have safe, clean, high quality, adequate, and reliable water supplies in order to support the needs of economic growth and quality of life.

Challenge

California’s economy, jobs, and water are inexorably linked. Job growth cannot continue without an adequate and reliable water supply to support the economy.  NBLC seeks to ensure measures are taken to now respond to the drought so the North Bay, and the rest of the state, is able to continue its economic growth and job creation.

What We Seek

  • New measures that, when coupled with appropriate funding and incentives, help further prioritize conservation statewide
  • Programs that encourage the adoption of proven water technologies and practices that drive long-term and measurable behavior changes and help the state get more from less water
  • Increase water storage, both above and below ground
  • Develop California’s ”virtual river” through expanded recycling, conjunctive-use and stormwater capture
  • Support the coequal goals of habitat restoration and water reliability in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
  • Use both natural and built infrastructure to improve regional defenses against extreme weather events; increase state funding for wetland restoration and flood control projects to provide a state match for local projects
  • End the excessive reliance on bond measures to fund infrastructure improvements from both a debt perspective and because voter approval cannot be assured
  • Find a more reliable financing mechanism and invest in the water infrastructure
  • Develop a comprehensive and accurate way to assess the water use and supply under state management responsibility. In a state as large and complex as California, the lack of this data impedes successful management.  Providing a mixture of financing and incentives to modernize water delivery systems and improve water management practices with better data and technology is critical.