While a great deal can be, and has been, accomplished on an individual or institutional level to implement water use reduction practices, public policy changes are required to provide incentives, multiply successes, and institutionalize programs. Viable policy options will identify multiple benefits (e.g., water, energy, and environmental benefits) that assure the long-term sustainability of water resources. Below are highlights of CAWSI’s efforts to build policy that supports agricultural water security in accordance with the guiding principles for sound water management strategies. Please contact Dave Runsten of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers for more information.
Policy Solutions for Agricultural Water Stewardship
California Water Plan Update 2009
December 2009
Over the past 18 months, CAWSI has been working with the CA Department of Water Resources and affiliates on the update of the California Water Plan. CAWSI has been particularly interested in seeing that agricultural water stewardship practices like those described in our Resource Center are recognized and included as viable, fundable practices that enhance on-farm water security while contributing to the sound management of California’s water resources. We have successfully worked to include these practices in both the Agricultural Water Use Efficiency chapter, which outlines strategic actions for reducing water demand from agriculture, and the Agricultural Land Stewardship chapter, one of the resources stewardship chapters. We will be following up on implementation of the Water Plan, when it becomes finalized, to ensure that ag water stewardship practices receive the technical and financial support they need.
Climate Change Policy and Agricultural Water
August 2008
Agricultural water transport and pumping is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector. Bringing more funding and support to ag water stewardship practices that build local water resources and alleviate the need for conveyed water will both boost agricultural viability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative made recommendations for the implementation of the Climate Change Solutions Act of 2008 (AB32) that support agricultural water stewardship practices through incentives and technical assistance.
CDFA and the State Board of Food and Agriculture AgVision 2030
July 2008
This month, several partner organizations made a submission on agricultural water stewardship to the AgVision 2030 process, which aims to create a strategic plan for agriculture over the coming decades. The submission calls for programs and policies focused on improving agricultural water use efficiency and promoting management options that conserve the state water supply while economically benefiting growers. In an era of dwindling water supplies, proactive water management strategies are essential to a sustainable agriculture industry in California.