Managing water resources effectively is crucial for local agencies and governments to meet the water-related needs of their regions and the state as a whole. The California Water Plan offers a wide range of resource management strategies (RMSes) that serve as valuable tools in achieving these goals. Let’s dive deeper into these strategies and understand how they can contribute to sustainable water management.
Resource Management Strategies: Tools for Success
Think of RMSes as tools in a toolkit. Just as the combination of tools in a kit depends on the task at hand, the selection of strategies varies from region to region, taking into account factors such as climate, projected growth, existing water systems, environmental and social conditions, and regional objectives. It’s essential for proposed strategies to complement the operation of existing water systems at the local level. Some strategies may not be effective in certain regions or under particular conditions. For instance, precipitation enhancement might not yield significant results during a drought.
Selecting the Right Mix for Desired Outcomes
Each area in California needs to identify the ideal blend of strategies to achieve their intended outcomes. It’s important to note that the benefits of RMSes are not additive when it comes to water supply. Although presented individually, these strategies can either complement or compete with one another, depending on factors such as system capacity, funding, water supplies, or other necessary components. Assumptions, methods, data, and local conditions vary for each strategy, making it crucial to avoid using estimated benefits and costs to prioritize actions, policies, or State investment proportions.
Update 2023 – Public Review Draft
As part of the development of the California Water Plan Update 2023, 11 RMSes have been updated to address the challenges posed by climate change, sustainability, resilience, equity, and community resilience. With a focus on addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management, these updates highlight the increasing importance of considering climate and social changes when managing water resources. The RMS outline has also been revised to reflect these themes.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a public review draft of the 11 updated RMSes on May 1, 2024, and invites comments from the public until May 31, 2024. Your input is valuable in shaping the final versions of these strategies. You can submit your comments using the online comment form or via email at cwpcom@water.ca.gov. For more information on submitting comments, including postal mail, please refer to the Reviewer’s Guide included in the updated RMS Introduction chapter.
Please remember to submit your comments by May 31, 2024. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at cwpcom@water.ca.gov.
Update 2013 Resource Management Strategies: Management Objectives
The RMSes are categorized into eight distinct management objectives. If you are specifically interested in improving water quality, you can refer to the “Improve Water Quality” management objective for relevant strategies.
Remember, effective water resource management is crucial for the sustainable development and resilience of our communities. Let’s work together to ensure a secure and prosperous future for California. For more information and updates on water resource management strategies, visit Management.