The Regional Water Authority, which implements cooperative plans among 18 different agencies, won the grant for a water-management program known as conjunctive use. In years with ample rain, agencies that draw their water from the American River and other surface sources will sell the excess to cities and authorities that depend on groundwater. In dry years, the areas with reliable groundwater will sell water they've been able to store underground in the good years back to cities dependent on surface water.
The conjunctive-use program grew out of six years of negotiations between water authorities, environmentalists, business groups, elected officials and others. They all agreed on a number of goals, including protecting the American River and reducing excessive groundwater drainage, while ensuring adequate water for use through 2030. "People realize if they don't work on it at the local level, it will be imposed on them from the state and federal level," says David Guy, executive director of the Northern California Water Association.
California and the federal government have been working for several years on a water master plan for the state that promotes conjunctive use. The grant money came from a water bond initiative approved by voters two years ago. The 12 construction projects involved in the program will cost a total of $43 million. Localities will make up the amount not covered by the state grant.
