BC Water News Exclusive

MARCH 29, 2006

With Folsom Dam as a backdrop, Jeff McCracken (center)
of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation explains to Huell Howser
why reservoirs are so critical to California.

The Word on Water

PBS series dives into California water issues

by Richard Hellmann | BC WATER NEWS

Huell Howser

Producers of a series on water issues in California are counting on the "trickle-down effect" to spread the word about watersheds, storage and flood control in an entertaining yet informative way.

Filming has begun on "California's Water,"
a public television series sponsored by the Association of California Water Agencies. The first segment—"Climate Change"—airs on KCET, a PBS affiliate in Southern California, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, and again at 6 p.m. Monday, April 17. (Check with other PBS stations for local broadcasts.)

Editing is under way on the second segment—"Delta and Delta Levees"—and the third segment—"California Water System Overview"—is in preproduction. (For a closer look at the series, click here.)

Gold standard

Huell Howser, host of PBS's "California Gold" series, will present various water issues of the state in a nonpolitical style intended to entertain and educate viewers. Topics will include the Colorado River, the Bay Delta, local water management planning, surface and groundwater storage, water recycling, desalination, flood control, watersheds and climate change.

Randy Fiorini

"This is the first time we are going directly to the public … to talk about 'No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water'."

"This is the first time we are going directly
to the public through a popular public television personality to talk about the
topics contained in our document, 'No Time
to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water'," Randy Fiorini, ACWA president, says.

"Some segments will be more complicated than others; some will have more levels to them," Howser told the Village News.
"They're not going to have a predetermined mold. I think that's what makes them exciting."

The segments, which will not specifically feature or favor any district or users, will
be available in DVD format. Water agencies that purchase copies of the DVD may be
able to air the shows on their local cable stations. Segments are being produced in such a way as to keep them "evergreen"
as standalone productions, Fiorini says,
which will allow a longer shelf life for water education outreach.

"Of course, the appeal of Howser is to break these topics down to a very understandable level and to zero in on the aspect of each topic that will be of most interest to the general public," Fiorini says. "This is not being approached as a documentary or a presentation for those familiar with the state's water issues.

"For example, the public will get a feel for why the Delta is critical and how our snowpack helps us to store water in a way that only Howser can present it."

Of course, educating the public about the basics of water will require the funds to produce the series. ACWA estimates the cost of the series at $360,000. Segment sponsors—like Brown and Caldwell—will receive recognition for their contributions at the $30,000, $20,000, $10,000 and $1,000 levels.

"I want to thank each of our contributors, especially those who have helped to fund the specific segments. We know that these contributions are significant and we believe your association with these segments will be very positive. You all have made it possible to bring these topics to the general public," Fiorini says. "We also appreciate your understanding that with public television, segment sponsors cannot be featured in the segments that they help to fund. That restriction does lend more credibility to the material presented through public television."

B.J. Miller (right) discusses the importance of the Delta
with Howser near the Jones Tract levee.

Blueprint for success

The ACWA blueprint is designed to keep members informed, work through appropriate committees and task forces, build coalitions, seek administrative solutions, and implement a coordinated advocacy strategy, as well as a coordinated communications and outreach strategy.

The blueprint’s 12 recommendations are to:

• Implement the Delta improvement program.

• Evaluate long-term threats to the Delta and appoint a high-level commission to recommend actions.

• Ensure delivery of adequate Colorado River supplies and protect California’s rights to that river"s water.

• Implement and fund the Sacramento Valley water management program.

• Develop additional surface and groundwater storage.

• Support and fund local efforts to expand recycling and implement best management practices for urban and agricultural users.

• Improve the quality of drinking water supplies for all users.

• Work with local agencies to overcome the constraints of developing seawater and brackish groundwater desalination.

• Modernize the Endangered Species Act and other regulations to allow water projects to be processed and species to recover.

• Expedite voluntary water transfers.

• Clarify the state’s role in flood control and promote high-benefit projects.

• Support integrated regional water management plans.

The ACWA is working with the Water Education Foundation and is open to other suggestions.

ACWA will be reviewing a proposal to promote the series statewide, to raise its visibility and to capitalize on the opportunities provided through this series. "As a part of this, members will be provided with kits, access to purchase segments, etc., to bring the programs to your local areas," Fiorini says.

"We're excited about this opportunity to share the word about water in California," he says.

Stay tuned to www.acwa.com for the latest on the series and how you can become involved.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ACWA & PBS