event Policy Priorities for California’s Water Oct 18, 2016 About the ProgramAlthough 2016 was somewhat wetter than the previous four years, a fifth year of drought keeps water at the top of the state's policy agenda. This conference looks at what's on tap in key areas, including strengthening urban drought resilience, managing groundwater in rural areas, addressing declining ecosystem health, and ensuring safe drinking water in disadvantaged communities. Join PPIC Water Policy Center researchers and a diverse group of federal, state, and local experts for a thought-provoking discussion about policy priorities for the coming water year. This event made possible with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
blog post What’s Really Important? Putting Recent Water News into Perspective By Sarah Bardeen Dec 8, 2021 Last week, three major stories about California’s water supply dominated the news. We asked PPIC Water Policy Center director Ellen Hanak and senior fellow Jeff Mount to share their perspectives on what’s really important about these stories.
blog post Drought Watch: California as a Testing Ground By Ellen Hanak Oct 15, 2014 At an international consortium on water policy research, PPIC’s Ellen Hanak talked about lessons from California for other regions of the world.
Fact Sheet The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta By Jeffrey Mount, Ellen Hanak, Greg Gartrell May 18, 2022 The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is California’s largest estuary and a vital hub in the state’s water supply system. Three interlinked issues currently face the Delta: an increasingly unreliable water supply, a decline in ecosystem health, and a fragile system of levees. Learn more about this key watershed in our new fact sheet.
blog post New Water Rules for Marijuana Growers By Henry McCann Dec 5, 2017 Cannabis growers will encounter new state requirements next year to address the crop’s impact on California’s creeks and streams.
Report Policy Priorities for Managing Drought By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Mar 16, 2015 State, federal, and local water managers have worked diligently to reduce the economic, social, and environmental harm from the current drought. But as the drought continues, the challenges will grow more acute. California can learn from experiences to date—and from Australia’s response to its Millennium Drought—to better prepare both for the year ahead and for future droughts. State leaders should address weaknesses in four areas of drought preparation and response, by: 1) improving water use information, 2) setting clear goals and priorities for public health and the environment, 3) promoting water conservation and more resilient water supplies, and 4) strengthening environmental management.
blog post Drought Watch: What If 2015 Is Dry? By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount Nov 3, 2014 Another warm winter is likely. So what, if anything, should California do differently next year?
blog post In Memoriam: Dave Cogdill By Mark Baldassare, Ellen Hanak Jul 26, 2017 A tribute to Dave Cogdill--a valued friend and trusted advisor to PPIC and a respected member of the PPIC Water Policy Center’s advisory council.
Report Exploring the Potential for Water-Limited Agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley By Caitlin Peterson, Cameron Pittelkow, Mark Lundy Jul 20, 2022 As irrigated farmland comes out of production in the San Joaquin Valley, valley residents will face increased pests, weeds, and dust—as well as a loss of employment and economic activity. Water-limited cropping is one alternative to fallowing that can improve soil health and air quality, create habitat, and keep land in production.
