The State of California released a final version of its Water Resilience Portfolio, a guide to aid the state in developing future water policies.
This roadmap will guide state efforts to meet the water needs of the state’s communities, economy, and environment as the climate changes. The document outlines 142 state actions aimed at building a climate-resilient water system and fostering healthy waterways.
The portfolio addresses recent laws regarding safe and affordable drinking water, groundwater sustainability, and water-use efficiency. It also offers guidance on the long-term functionality of the State Water Project and other conveyance infrastructure.
Specific recommended actions include:
· Updating regulations to expand water recycling
· Accelerating permitting of new smart water storage
· Expanding seasonal floodplains for fish and flood benefits
· Improving conditions at the Salton Sea
· Removing dams from the Klamath River
· Better leveraging of information and data to improve water management
With a recent downturn in the state’s budget, the pace of progress on actions in the portfolio will depend upon the resources available, state officials said.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2015
First EPD covering PVC water and wastewater piping published
Benchmarks impacts of seven PVC pipe products across their life cycles.
Office Buildings | May 18, 2015
New ASHRAE standard offers test method to determine heat gain of office equipment
The standard will aid engineers in configuring cooling systems in office buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Widespread damage from Nepal earthquake due to poor implementation of building code
Nepal’s code author says destruction was ‘inevitable.’
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Lavish residential skyscrapers prompt concern over shadows
New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston among cities grappling with height regulations.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
Several states moving to repeal prevailing wage laws
Anti-prevailing wage bills that apply to state-funded construction projects have been passed in West Virginia and Nevada. Similar laws could be passed in Indiana and Illinois.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2015
New OSHA rule aimed at protecting construction workers in confined spaces
The agency says the rule will protect about 800 workers a year from serious injury.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
Colorado House kills construction defects bill
The legislation would have made it harder for condo owners to sue builders.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
New energy efficiency program, Tenant Star, gets OK from Congress
The voluntary program for commercial and government buildings is modeled after Energy Star.
Smart Buildings | May 1, 2015
FEMA to require states to evaluate risks posed by climate change
The aim is for states to do a better job planning for natural disasters they are likely to face in a warming world.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2015
Department of Energy asks for feedback on cost-effectiveness of building energy codes
DOE’s RFI wants input on how to improve methodology on cost assessment.