By Charming Evelyn
The theme for World Water Day 2023 is Accelerate Change. As a long-time Sierra Club member, I think I can safely say being the change embodies the volunteers and staff who serve alongside myself within the Water Committee(s). The work we do and how we do it allows us to accelerate change and be the change we want to see.
Both Water Committees at the local level (Angeles Chapter) and Sierra Club CA have been very busy advocating for changes to lessen reliance on imported water, support infrastructure repair, demand transparency within our water agencies and with water policy, support pure water projects, support legislation that advances the human right to water, water equity, and water quality. We have had a busy year with successes and of course some losses. Let’s take a look back at 2022:
We fought 3 major ocean desalination projects for years and they all came to a head last year. We won 2 out of 3, though I don’t consider the third a total loss. We were able to defeat both Brookfield-Poseidon and the West Basin Ocean Desalination projects and fought a good battle to defeat the Doheny-Dana Point project. In the end, it was approved with 17 special conditions that tried to address our concerns. These battles can’t be won without a consortium of other organizations, and we thank them for being willing partners.
We submitted written comments to the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board on the renewal of MS4 permits; the CA Coastal Commission on Poseidon and Doheny ocean desalination projects; the State Lands Commission (SLC) on the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project; Department of Water Resources (DWR) on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) of the proposed Delta Conveyance; Army Corps of Engineers on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the proposed Delta Conveyance; Metropolitan Water District on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) on the Pure Water Southern Californian Project. Many other comment letters and emails were sent on behalf of many water issues to many agencies and we updated our Smart Alternatives White Paper.
Sierra Club Water Advocates at Water Committee & Santa Clarita Group Water Conservation Workshop
Thanks to the exceptional work of Caty Wagner and her group of Delta volunteers we achieved victories at MWD as well. For years we have fought for changes in regard to Tribal participation, equity and to lessen reliance on the Delta. Last year, MWD held its first and we hope not the last meeting of their Underserved Communities Committee and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. The PLA Agreement which we supported was passed by the Board including an update of their Bay Delta policy, which will include reduced reliance on the Bay Delta in accordance with the co-equal goals of the Delta Reform Act, and equitable participation in projects by environmental justice communities. We supported the passing of the baton to a new chair because we thought change was needed, a new GM, a new Chair, and a new way of doing things moving forward.
We were also busy at West Basin in 2022 – asking for the removal of one GM and supporting the hiring of another. Attending meetings and workshops on the proposed West Basin Ocean desalination project to voice our opposition and support their water conservation efforts and advocacy, meeting with Board members and staff. We were invited and did participate in WaterFest 2022, having one of the busiest booths.
As is typical, we continue work on various issues including Cadiz, dewatering of our aquifers, calling for more tribal representation, expanding our partnerships and reaching out to small community organizations, and increasing our messaging on all things water while keeping a watchful eye on our water agencies. The work on the new water website is ongoing in particular the Kids Water Corner with the quality and quantity of educational games and material offered. We hosted many water workshops – videos are housed under Events Gallery
Internally we continue to partner with other issue committees where our paths cross, ICO, Outings, Environmental & Social Justice, Los Cerritos Wetlands Committee, Save the Montebello Hills Task Force, Zero Waste, Energy Committee, PV South Bay and Santa Clarita Regional Groups and both the LA & OC Political Committees. On the National stage, we are represented on the Water Sentinels Grassroots Network Team, and in the West – we’re represented on the Water of the West Team and the Colorado River Task Force.
In closing, I’d like to thank all our volunteers, volunteer leads, and the water team staff at Sierra Club CA who continue to accelerate change through their actions. Appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the following agencies and organizations: CA State Water Board, LA Regional Water Quality Control Board, CA Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, WRD, West Basin, MWD, LADWP, Heal the Bay, GreenLA, Ocean Desal Coalition, EWC, EJCW, Social Eco Education, SoCal 350 Climate Action, Southern CA Watershed Alliance, Amigos de los Rios, Hardy Californians, ARLA, Tree People, Greywater Corps, CA Conservation Foundation, LAANE, Society of Native Nations and CA Tribal Engagement Coalition.
Last but certainly not least – Jon who helps me put all of this together. Happy Reading!