Water and the Sierra Nevada. There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California. Edward Abbey.
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Water and theSierra 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. Many key decision makers truly do not understand the linkage. Downstream beneficiaries aren’t engaged in upstream issues.
It ShowsOne 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.
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
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
Myth # 1
The Delta Is the Primary Source
Of CA’s Water
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.o San Francisco 85%
from Hetch Hetchyo East Bay 90% from
Mokelumne Major water source agriculture Half of the inflow to the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Myth # 2
What Happens in the Sierra
Stays in the Sierra
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.
USGS Reservoir Sedimentation ModelA 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: o fires and forest healtho development, land-use, mining
& abandoned mine siteso climatic events
Figure 1b from Estimating reservoir sedimentation rates at large spatial – and temporal – scales: a case study of California - (Figure 1b).
Mokelumne EnvironmentalBenefits Analysis
Myth # 3
The Forests and Watersheds of the Sierra Nevada are
Healthy
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.
A Changing Climate
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
75.0
80.019
70
1973
1976
1979
1982
1985
1988
1991
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
2009
Tem
pera
ture
, Deg
rees
F
0-3000'
3000'-6000'
>6000'
South-Central Subregion (West Side) Anuual Average Daily High Tempertures
The Consequences of the Fire/Flood Cycle
Call to Action Investment and policy decisions regarding
meeting the state’s water needs must consider, at a minimum:o Restoring Forest Health and Reducing Risk
of Catastrophic Fireo Restoring Watershed and Meadow Functiono Improving water qualityo Improving aging infrastructureo Addressing Sedimentation and Capacity in
Reservoirs
“Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to
become an oyster.”
Theodore Roosevelt
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