Water and theSierra Nevada

There is science, logic, reason; there is thought

verified by experience. And then there is California.

Edward Abbey

We Are Losing the Policy Battle

Many policy makers and the media largely ignore the importance of the Region. Many key decision makers truly do not understand the linkage. Downstream beneficiaries aren’t engaged in upstream issues.

It ShowsOne per-cent of funding in the proposed water bond for the state’s primary watershed.BDCP and other policy discussions are devoid of references to the Sierra and its importance.

What’s at Stake Future IRWM Funding for the upper watershed areas Future water bond funding for the

Region Disadvantaged when other funding opportunities emerge, such as C&T Auction Revenue

Myth Busting

In order to change the discussion, and have success on

important policy and fiscal decisions, we need to bust 3

myths relating to water and the Sierra Nevada

Myth # 1

The Delta Is the Primary Source

Of CA’s Water

The Sierra Nevada Region is CA’s Primary Water Source

More than 60% of the state’s developed water supply

Urban water source, e.g.o San Francisco 85%

from Hetch Hetchyo East Bay 90% from

Mokelumne Major water source agriculture Half of the inflow to the

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Myth # 2

What Happens in the Sierra

Stays in the Sierra

The Condition of the Sierra Affects All of California

The Sierra Nevada is the primary source of mercury in the Delta and Bay. Sediment in the upper watersheds ends up in lakes and reservoirs, reducing storage Fires pollute our air, release GGHs, destroy habitat and reduce recreational

opportunities.

USGS Reservoir Sedimentation ModelA USGS modeling exercise found the following:

The model predicted that at present, over 120 reservoirs have capacities reduced to less than 25% of original and almost 190 reservoirs with less than 50% of original capacity

Watershed variables that influence sediment transport and deposition: o fires and forest healtho development, land-use, mining

& abandoned mine siteso climatic events

Figure 1b from Estimating reservoir sedimentation rates at large spatial – and temporal – scales: a case study of California - (Figure 1b).

Mokelumne EnvironmentalBenefits Analysis

Myth # 3

The Forests and Watersheds of the Sierra Nevada are

Healthy

The Sierra Is In a Crisis Situation

Many forests in the Sierra are overgrown and unhealthy, at risk of disease and large damaging fires.Many Sierra meadows are not properly functioning.Water quality is a major concern in many Sierra streams.

A Changing Climate

45.0

50.0

55.0

60.0

65.0

70.0

75.0

80.019

70

1973

1976

1979

1982

1985

1988

1991

1994

1997

2000

2003

2006

2009

Tem

pera

ture

, Deg

rees

F

0-3000'

3000'-6000'

>6000'

South-Central Subregion (West Side) Anuual Average Daily High Tempertures

The Consequences of the Fire/Flood Cycle

Call to Action Investment and policy decisions regarding

meeting the state’s water needs must consider, at a minimum:o Restoring Forest Health and Reducing Risk

of Catastrophic Fireo Restoring Watershed and Meadow Functiono Improving water qualityo Improving aging infrastructureo Addressing Sedimentation and Capacity in

Reservoirs

“Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to

become an oyster.”

Theodore Roosevelt