In Fresno
Delta Water Summit
Saturday, August 3, 2013, Fresno State Student Union Building

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 Plan to be at this summit. We want to show our dire concern of pumping restrictions, and the new biological opinion, which has been delayed. We want to communicate how unacceptable these restriction are and the need to fix the problem emmediately, not 10 years from now. Two microphones will be set up for attendees to question members of three panels. The ag industry needs to attend and form long lines at these microphones to ask about immediate water needs to keep the industry alive!

The Issue

The Delta Pumping Restrictions, the Biological Opinions, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and the Alternative Delta Conveyance Project represent the most significant and important water issues and conversations that California has had since the 1982 peripheral canal proposal. Yet, if you asked the average Californian if they know anything much about any of these various items the answer is typically “Not much or not at water”. This is particularly true in Southern California and the Silicon Valley who ironically rely tremendously on their water supplies coming from the Delta.

Mario Santoyo
Even in the Central Valley, ground zero for water supply shortages and economic impacts (due to the Delta Pumping restrictions), chances are that most have felt or heard of the Delta problems but really do not understand much about the details.

The Summit

The summit, organized by Mario Santoyo, Director of the California Latino Water Coalition (CLWC), will bring high-level policy, technical and legislative representatives from both the State of California and the Federal government along with key water agencies to present, discuss and answer questions through a series of panels moderated by well-known media figures. The target audience will be the general public principally but invites will go out to all elected officials and legislators.  Examples (not in any particular order):

1.     Welcome by CSUF President Joseph Castro.

2.     CLWC Member (TBD) introduces Governor Brown (Invited). Governor Brown addresses his Water Supply Vision for California.

3.     KMPH Video Overview of the Delta issues and the BDCP at a level the general public can understand and appreciate (Intro by Rich Rodriguez).

4.     First Panel discussion, lead by Fresno Bee Moderator Bill McEwen, regarding water agencies roles, challenges and expectations with the BDCP.


Q&A by the audience;

a.     Ara Azhderian, Water Policy Administrator, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority

b.     Joan Maher, Deputy Operating Officer for Water Supply, Santa Clara Valley Water District

c.      Ron Jacobsma, General Manager, Friant Water Authority

d.     Jim Beck, General Manager, Kern County Water Agency

e.     Tom Birmingham, General Manager, Westlands Water District

f.      John Colemen, Vice President, Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)

5.     Second Panel Discussion, lead by moderator (Univision), regarding their roles and actions associated with the BDCP and any short-term relief.  


           Q&A by the audience;

a.      Michael Connor, Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Invited)

b.     John Laird, Secretary, Natural Resources Agency (Invited)

c.      Gloria Gray, Delta Stewardship Council

d.     Sunne McPeak, Delta Vision Foundation

6.     Third Panel Discussion, lead by KMPH Moderator Rich Rodriguez, regarding current legislative efforts by them or colleagues to assist e3ither the short term relief or long term solutions

         

Q&A by the audience;



a.     U.S. Congressman Jim Costa

b.     U.S. Congressman David G. Valadao (Invited)

c.      State Senator Jean Fuller

d.     State Assemblymember Henry Perea

e.     State Assemblymember Jim Patterson

f.      State Assemblymember Rudy Salas

7.     Close with Assemblymember Henry T. Perea, California Latino Water Coalition Central Valley Co-Chair.