Law Commons^™

Enhancing The Weather: Governance Of Weather Modification Activities Of The United States, Manon Simon

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

In the context of climate change, weather modification by cloud seeding, and in particular, precipitation enhancement techniques, has gained a renewed attention from governments. In the United States, several states run weather modification programs to secure freshwater resources and increase both crop and hydroelectricity production. Weather modification techniques were developed post–World War II, and so were the legal arrangements that govern them. Since then, weather modification law has undergone little to no reform. California and Texas are two active users of cloud-seeding technologies but employ very different governance frameworks. This Article assesses the effectiveness of weather modification governance in these …

2018 - California Water Plan Update - Public Review Draft

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

California Water Plan Update 2018 provides recommended actions, funding scenarios, and an investment strategy to bolster efforts by water and resource managers, planners, and decision-makers to overcome California’s most pressing water resource challenges. It builds on progress made in California Water Plan Update 2013; reaffirms State government’s unique role and commitment to sustainable, equitable, long-term water resource management; and introduces implementation tools to inform sound decision-making.

1886 - Physical Data And Statistics Of California

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

A reporting of water supply and related data collected in accordance with the law of 1878, creating the office of and defining the duties of the State Engineer, and upon which to base reports on the problems of irrigation and arterial drainage in California.

1890 - Report On Irrigation In The United States, Second Edition, Richard J. Hinton

Miscellaneous Federal Documents & Reports

The report to the United States Senate Special Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands was an inquiry into the progress and condition of irrigation involving the extent and character of the area within which the annual rain fall was not sufficient for industrial uses of the people. The inquiry involved the extent of the fall of rains or snow within an area, any evidence as to increase or decrease of precipitation resulting from agricultural settlement or of pastoral occupation, the increase of humidity, the destruction of the timber mainly by its use for settlement purposes, the effect of …

2000 - Preparing For California's Next Drought -- Changes Since 1987-92

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

The purpose of this report is to review items that the California Department of Water Resources should consider in near-term drought planning, putting California’s conditions today into perspective with experiences gained in the 1987-92 drought. The report begins with an overview of California hydrology and water supply, then describes conditions encountered in the 1987-92 drought. Changed conditions since that drought are summarized, and their implications discussed. The report concludes with a list of actions that the Department could take to respond to future drought conditions.

1994 - Agriculture, Water And California's Drought Of 1987-92, Kenneth W. Umbach.Pdf

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

The purpose of this paper was to summarize the 1987-1992 drought in the context of agriculture and water in California, to examine the types of response that farmers and institutions could and did use, and to draw lessons from that experience. California would be challenged as it grappled with population growth and environmental concerns. In view of the demand on water supplies made by California's agricultural sector (77 to 80 percent of the "developed" water used in the state, it was especially important to review those responses.

2002 - North Monterey County Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan

Monterey County Water Resources Agency Water Reports

North Monterey County experiences severe water supply and quality problems including falling water levels, seawater intrusion, and nitrate contamination. The region is in a significant state of overdraft where current demands greatly exceed the annual level of recharge. Without increased supplies, dramatic changes need to occur to the North County land use pattern to reduce demand. The Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan combines water conservation, water supply, water quality, and land use actions into comprehensive policy alternatives. It is clear, however, that capital facilities are necessary if the problem is to be solved.

The study area overlies a portion of …

2006 - Salinas Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Functionally Equivalent Plan Summary Document Update

Miscellaneous Monterey and San Luis Obispo County Documents and Reports

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) are encouraging local and regional water management planners to establish integrated regional water management plans through the collaboration of planning efforts and project coordination. The intent is to encourage planners to implement projects focused on meeting multiple water resources needs on a regional basis. Jointly, both agencies are soliciting grant applications for Proposition 50 Chapter 8 grant funding, which was established to provide a fiscal tool to support integrated regional water management. In order to take advantage of this funding opportunity, Monterey County Water Resources …

2016 - Memorandum Of Understanding For Integrated Regional Water Management In The Greater Monterey County Region With Amendments Through December 2016

Miscellaneous Monterey and San Luis Obispo County Documents and Reports

An Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWM Plan) developed by 18 member entities that include government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, water service districts, private water companies, and organizations representing agricultural, environmental, and community interests. The IRWM Plan is an expansion and modification of a previous plan – the May 2006 Salinas Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Functionally Equivalent Plan developed by Monterey County Water Resources Agency. This MOU recognizes the joint commitment of the undersigned parties to develop an IRWM Plan for the Greater Monterey County Region. The MOU does not impose any further commitments or obligations upon any …

California Land Pamphlets, Volume 6

Land Pamphlets

Volume 6 of the California land pamphlets contains a variety documents relating to California, travel to and mining in British America, the Truckee River water supply and distribution of interstate water, corruption around the acquisition of land in California, religious intolerance and a report of the Soldiers' Relief Fund of San Francisco.

Water Supply Planning In Virginia: The Future Of Groundwater And Surface Water, Jonathon Lubrano, Jeffrey Moore

Virginia Coastal Policy Center

This paper begins by exploring the current state of water resources planning and permitting. Then, considers current water demand in Virginia, as well as future challenges. Next is an examination of management structures from other states and a discussion of potential solutions to the water scarcity issue, including wastewater purification, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD) Sustainable Water Initiative For Tomorrow (SWIFT) project, and desalination. The paper concludes with various next steps and policy recommendations that the Commonwealth should consider as dwindling water resources could hamper economic growth and threaten drought conditions, such as regional planning to achieve the optimal …

A Fix For A Thirsty World - Making Direct And Indirect Reuse Legally Possible, Heather Payne

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

Reliably providing safe drinking water to the public is an essential function of state and local governments. Across the United States, government officials and public water system managers are exploring mechanisms for ensuring water security. One method for increasing public drinking water security that has garnered the attention of water officials and the public is returning treated wastewater to the drinking water supply. However, in the absence of federal regulations on water reuse, states need guidance to develop the statutory framework necessary to make potable reuse legal. This Article details the processes of direct and indirect potable reuse and reviews …

2014, February 26 – Proposal To Abolish Or Limit Water Data Confidentiality To 1-5 Years: Improving Water Resource Management And Increasing Net Water Benefits In The State Of California

Related Research and Documents

A February 26, 2014, submission by Dr. Peter Reinelt to the California State Water Resources Control Board his Proposal to Abolish or Limit Water Data Confidentiality. This proposal provided a conceptual economic framework for a comprehensive review of the economics of water data confidentiality with the goal, in furtherance of both public and private interest, of improving water resource management and increasing net water benefits in the State of California.

1978 - January – Drought 77 Dry Year Program Report

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

The objectives of the Drought 77 Dry Year Program were to identify critical drought impacted areas in Northern and Central California, to provide information to water users in these areas in regard to water conservation, to assure that the limited supply available was used in accordance with lawful rights, and to take enforcement action against violations of permit and license conditions, illegal diversions and waste or unreasonable use of water.

Slides: The Columbia River Basin, Barbara Cosens

Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10)

Presenter: Barbara Cosens, Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty, University of Idaho College of Law, Waters of the West Interdisciplinary Program

16 slides

Tribes And Water In The Colorado River Basin, Colorado River Research Group

Books, Reports, and Studies

4 pages : charts.

The special nature of tribal water rights -- Quantified water rights -- The Colordo mainstream reservations -- Central Arizona tribes -- Upper basin tribes -- Outstanding / unresolved tribal claims -- The path forward.

Looking Upstream: An Analysis Of Low Water Levels In Lake Powell And The Impacts On Water Supply, Hydropower, Recreation, And The Environment: A Companion Report To The Bathtub Ring, Michael Johnson, Lindsey Ratcliff, Rebecca Shively, Leanne Weiss, Yale University. School Of Forestry And Environmental Studies, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment, Western Water Policy Program

Books, Reports, and Studies

viii, 110 pages : color illustrations, color maps

An Enhanced Water Bank For Colorado, Anne J. Castle, Lawrence J. Macdonnell

Books, Reports, and Studies

23 pages.

Introduction and rationale -- Background on Colorado water law -- The initial Colorado water bank -- Water banks in other western states -- An enhanced water bank framework for Colorado -- Overcoming municipal preference for permanent acquisition -- Existing authority and new authority needed -- Conclusion and recommendation -- Attachment: Provisions for consideration in water bank operating guidelines.

Proposal For An Enhanced Colorado Water Bank, Anne J. Castle, Lawrence J. Macdonnell

Books, Reports, and Studies

4 pages.

Outlines and explains 8 characteristics of an enhanced Colorado water bank.

Watershed Planning And Management In Colorado, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment

Books, Reports, and Studies

9 pages.

Introduction -- The watershed approach in Colorado -- Moving to the next level : implementation of the BIPs -- Possible next steps -- Conclusion.

Improving Irrigation Water Uses For Agricultural And Environmental Benefits, Anne Castle, Amy Beattie, Zach Smith, Drew Peternell, Ted Kowalski

Books, Reports, and Studies

37 pages : color pictures, color maps.

Introduction -- Agricultural and environmental enhancements -- An ag and environmental enhancement program for Colorado -- Appendix A: Conservation case studies in Colorado -- Appendix B: Related Colorado water law -- Appendix C: Relevant laws from other states -- Appendix D: Legislative attempts to statutorily recognize conserved water -- Appendix E: The problem of vocabulary

Texas Colonias: Injustice By Definition, Caitlin Lewis

Environmental and Earth Law Journal (EELJ)

Colonias are usually characterized as rural or semi-rural slums inhabited by Mexican-origin immigrants and Mexican Americans. This Comment examines the socioeconomic and environmental burdens faced by Texas colonias and the public and private attempts to address these hardships.

Slides: The Colorado River: Innovation In The Face Of Scarcity, Anne J. Castle

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Anne J. Castle, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment

40 slides

Slides: Wrapping Up The Big Horn Adjudication: Lessons After 38 Years And 20,000 Claims, Ramsey L. Kropf

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Ramsey L. Kropf, Deputy Solicitor for Water Resources, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of the Interior

34 slides

Slides: The Columbia River Treaty, Barbara Cosens

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Barbara Cosens, Professor, University of Idaho College of Law and Waters of the West Graduate Program

22 slides

Slides: Never Let A Crisis Go To Waste, Lester Snow

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Lester Snow, Executive Director, California Water Foundation

39 slides

Slides: The Blm And Colorado Dnr Mou: A Water-Based Partnership, Roy Smith

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Roy Smith, Bureau of Land Management

19 slides

Slides: Restoring The Acequias: Fixing What Wasn't Broken, Will Davidson

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Will Davidson, Acequia Assistance Project

26 slides

Slides: Water Planning In California: Past, Present, Future, Ellen Hanak

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Ellen Hanak, Senior Fellow and Director, PPIC Water Policy Center, Public Policy Institute of California

13 slides

Slides: California's Bay-Delta Conveyance Problem: A Light At The End Of The Tunnel(S)?, Jerry Meral

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Jerry Meral, Director of California Water Programs, Natural Heritage Institute

8 slides