Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout87-017103 RESOLUTION NO. 87-17 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA APPROVING SUPPORT OF THE "SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER POLICY" DATED AUGUST 11, 1986. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana recognizes that maintaining an adequate and reliable supply of good quality water, at a reasonable cost, is essential to maintaining the public health and economic vitality of Southern California, and to meeting current and future water needs; WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Ana recognizes that increased communication and cooperation between water agencies and interests in California regarding water supply, conservation and resource protection issues is necessary to achieving an adequate, reliable and affordable water supply; WHEREAS, the August 11, 1986 Southern California Water Policy is designed to promote a water policy based on the goals of reliability of supply, preservation of quality, commitment to conservation, and affordability; WHEREAS, the Southern California Water Policy promotes increased communication between water agencies and interests regarding water supply, conservation and resource protection; WHEREAS, the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County ("WAC0") and its member agencies support the goals set forth in the Southern California Water Policy, and approved said policy on January 7, 1987; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, as follows: 1. That the City of Santa Aha support and endorse the August 11, 1986 Southern California Water Policy, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated by reference. 2. That the City Clerk is authorized and directed to transmit copies of this resolution to WACO and the Southern California Water Committee. RESOLUTION NO. PAGE TWO 87-17 ATTEST: ADOPTED this 17th day of February , 1987. en ¢e c. Guy rk of the CounciI COUNCILMEMBERS: Young Aye McGuigan Aye Acosta Aye Griset ~nt Hart Aye May Aye Pulido Aye APPROVED AS TO FORM: E3w~-rd ~. (Cooper City At t o r~f-' 107 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER POLICY Introduction Southern California faces significant challenges in the coming years tn order for the region to COntinue to be a major economically viable urban area. One of the most important challenges is to provide an adequate ·mount of good quality water, on a reliable basis, and at a reasonable cost. According to various estimates, the population in Southern California will increase by about twenty percent over the next fifteen years. Whether or not estimates are precise, every indication ts that population growth will occv-. Meeting Current and future water needs is essential to maintaining the public health and economic vitality of the region. Water agencies and interests in California should work to increase communi- cation and tnteragency cooperation. The current primary objective of increased communication should be to find areas of statewide consensus on water supply, conservation and resource protection issues. GOALS Water policy in Southern California must be based on the following goals: * RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY * PRESERVATION OF QUALITY * COktMITMENT TO CONSERVATION * AFFOROABILITY A. RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY The quantity of imported and naturally occurring water in the Southland varies from year to year because of weather variations which cause wet and dry cycles of one or more years. Such supply needs to ba made more dependable. Supplies can be made more reliable through implementation of the following policies: * Establish contingency plans to meet water emergencies on ~ short- term basis.. m~ 1 Continue to maximize the use of existing local water sources, including efficient groundwater management programs and local storage, extraction, and distribution facilities. Develop Incentives for lncreastngwater storage in groundwater basins for use during drought. * Continue the use of Color&do River water where ivatlable. 108 * Provtde cost-effective surface and groundwater storage as needed, north and south Of the Delta. Continue to encourage voluntary water transfers and exchanges throughout California, under terms ~onstStent with the needs of the water purveyors and the requirements of applicable state and federal law. Protect areas of origin by exporting only waters surplus to the reasonable needs of the area. t Interconnect local distribution Systems with regional systems to allow maximum use of local ground and surface waters during emergencies. t Complete additional units of the State Water Project and improve- ments in the Delta as necessary to provide a more dependable water supply, conserve water supply, improve quality, and protect fish, wildlife and the economic viability o~))lthe State of Califbrnia. Support current best use of wild and scenic rivers, as scenic and recreational, while recognizing future generations may re-evaluate these concepts. B. PRESERVATION OF QUALITY Protection of the quality and integrity of surface and groundwater resources is fundamental to the health and welfare of California and all its citizens. Support adequate water quality standards throughout California and adequate wastewater discharge requirements for Surface water and groundwater which will safeguard public health. Provide for safe management of hazardous materials to avoid pollu- tion of both surface water ~nd groundwater. * Develop groundwater quality management plans with emphasis on protection Of the quality Of groundwater from pollution. Encourage the mitigation of Delta and San Francisco Bay water quality problems while providing future water Supplies for all of the State, with costs andresponsibllittes fairly allotted among the beneficiaries. Support protection and maintenance of good quality water throughout California. C. COI~[TM£NT TO CONSERVATION The proper end cost-effective conservation of our water resources ts essential to providing adequate water supply to ell areas of the state. Conservation should be an essential pert of all water supply programs, but cannot enttrelx Substitute for w~ter supply development, as water demands cannot be sufficiently reduced by conservation on a long-term basts. Strengthen water conservation end management programs to reduce water consumption end prevent loss or waste of thts valuable re- source. Conttnue wtth Strong conservation education progre]ns for ell water users. * [ncourege drought-tolerant or drought-resistent landscaping. · Su~:~-t local government Ordinances that provtde for low water use devices. · Improve distribution systems to maximize efficient water use. · Meter water services, where beneftct&l, to encourage water conservation and increase public awareness of water use. · Support wasteweter recitation end reuse and brackish water desalting prograu~s, where cost-effective. · Provide economic incentive programs to encourage efficient use of water. D. AFFORDABILITY Affordabtltty must be an Important criterion in any reliability or quality-related decision-making. Water Supply and quality improvements must be accomplished in a cost-effective manner. 110 PR PROGRA~ FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER POLICY PAPER Since the defeat of the Peripheral Canal, there have been attempts to forge agreement on a set of princi- ples for water policy in the state. One such proposal by the Committee for Water Policy Consensus contains elements that ers unfavorable to Southern California. The Water Task Force of the County Supervisors Association of California has also tried to formulate a consensus policy that is supportable statewide, but as yet, has not suc- ceeded. The attached paper was developed over the past two years by a group which includes representatives of the following organizations: Los Angeles Department cf Water and Power Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Municipal Water District of Orange County Orange County Water District San Diego Association of Governments San Diego County Wate~ Authority I Santa Aha Watershed Project Authority Southern California Association of Governments Its publication marks the first time varying interests in Southern California have come together on a policy which aims at unifying public viewpoints on water supply, conservation and resource protection issues. The Southern California Water Policy Paper is now circulating among a number of organizations in the Southland for endorsement. To date, it has been approved by the Los Angeles City Council, the Southern California Water Conference, the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce~ the boards of diractorl of MWD, LADWP, SDCWA, SARDAG, SAWPA, SCAG, and o~hsrs. Over the next several months, it ia important that the policy paper receive as much public attention in Southern California aa possible. A unified populace will bm most helpful as new water legislation is introduced in Sacramento. 111 PUBLIC RELATIONS PLAR FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER POLICY PAPER Communications Obdectives a) Create awareness throughout Southern California of the water policy paper among the general public and other key audiences. b) Promote general support of the water policy paper. c) Demonstrate unity among ragional officials as a prelude to statewida unity on water policy. Communications Strateoies a) Rally public support utilizing materials that involve and educate the public on the importance of a comprehensive water policy for California. b) Inform legislative leaders and other public offi- cials about the policy. c) Concentrate on Southern Cal'ifornia media, legis- lators, opinion leaders and public; vary communications message depending on regional considerations. (i.e., The policy adopted by Southern California officials not only meets the water resource needs of the state, but it also protects the vital resources of Northern California.) ~d~ences - General public, media, government officials, environmentalists, opinion leaders. Pro.ram highlights Media - press kit, editorial board visits, press conferences, TV talk shows. Government officials/opinion leaders - leadership luncheons, direct and indirect lobbying, educational seminar in Sacramento. General publicity - brochure detailing policy, celebrity personality, video, public .service announcements, pre-matted releases, bill stuffers, speakers bureau.