Drought Impacts, New Directives From Gov. Jerry Brown in Focus at April 9 Briefing in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 3, 2015) - As the state implements first-ever mandatory water reductions amid record drought conditions, top-level officials from state, federal and local agencies will provide an update on drought impacts and a suite of new state actions in response at an April 9 briefing organized by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with other organizations.

The briefing is set for 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., Sacramento. Registration begins at 8:30. The complete agenda is available here.

Titled "2015 Drought -- Four Years and Counting: Impacts and Actions," the briefing will examine new actions outlined in the executive order issued by Gov. Jerry Brown on April 1. The order calls for mandatory statewide reduction in water use and other measures to conserve water, increase enforcement of water use restrictions and streamline drought response by state agencies.

Confirmed speakers include: California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham, State Climatologist Michael Anderson, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Director David Murillo, California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger, CalFire Chief Public Information Officer Daniel Berlant, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Inland Region Administrator Eric Lamoureux, and others. Local agency managers and elected officials, including Metropolitan Water District of Southern California General Manager Jeff Kightlinger, East Bay Municipal Utility District General Manager Alexander Coate, Merced Irrigation District General Manager John Sweigard, Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli and Sacramento Municipal Utility District Water Power Resource Specialist Paul Olmstead also will speak.

Among the topics to be covered:

• How Bad is It? Drought Conditions Overview
• 2015 Operations and Response: State and Federal Perspectives
• High and Dry: Impacts on the Environment
• This is Not a Drill: 2015 Emergency Conservation Regulations
• Fires, Farms and Food: What to Expect in 2015
• Helping the Hardest-Hit Communities
• Managing on the Ground: Local Agency Actions and Response
• Reaching Consumers: Save Our Water Program Plans for 2015

*** A media availability is planned for 10:10 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. at the event to provide an opportunity for reporters to interview state, federal and local officials.

The governor announced the executive order as the state's April 1 snow survey showed the all-important Sierra snowpack is virtually non-existent, measuring at a record-low 5% of normal for the date. Throughout California, the drought is having worsening impacts on water quality, agriculture, fire response, habitat, fish and wildlife and hydroelectric power.

The briefing is presented by ACWA in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the League of California Cities, the California Farm Water Coalition, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the California Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire.

The event will be webcast live. See registration link below for details.

WHAT: 2015 Drought Briefing -- Four Years and Counting: Impacts and Actions
WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., Sacramento
REGISTRATION: www.surveymonkey.com/s/drought2015

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.