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Seizing the Drought: Water Priorities for Our Changing Climate (Online)
November 15, 2021 @ 11:00 am - November 17, 2021 @ 12:00 pm
The PPIC Water Policy Center will convene a diverse group of experts to discuss how to tackle the highly disruptive effects of climate change on our water system. It’s clear that we must step up our game to cope with the increasingly severe, warm droughts that are coming our way. This year’s conference will identify immediate actions we can take to boost the state’s resilience.
Conference Schedule
All sessions scheduled from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT.
- NOVEMBER 15, Session 1: Making Our Water Infrastructure Climate-Ready
- NOVEMBER 16, Session 2: Paying for Water System Resilience
- NOVEMBER 17, Session 3: Embracing Transformative Change
Agenda
Session 1 – Monday, November 15
Making Our Water Infrastructure Climate-Ready
Panelists will discuss how to adapt our water storage and conveyance systems to the warming, increasingly volatile climate and build resilience to benefit communities, the economy, and the environment.
11:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
Ellen Hanak, center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
11:05 a.m. Panel Discussion
Moderator: Alvar Escriva-Bou, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Ali Forsythe, environmental planning and permitting manager, Sites Project Authority
Karla Nemeth, director, California Department of Water Resources
Tim Ramirez, board member, Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Daniel Swain, climate scientist, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA
11:45 a.m. Audience Q&A
12:00 p.m. Adjourn
Session 2 – Tuesday, November 16
Paying for Water System Resilience
Panelists will survey opportunities for removing roadblocks to funding needed system upgrades, while ensuring safe and affordable water for all.
11:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
11:05 a.m. Panel Discussion
Moderator: Ellen Hanak, center, director, PPIC Water Policy Center
E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair, State Water Resources Control Board
Rosemary Menard, interim city manager, City of Santa Cruz
Alesandra Nájera, program officer, Water Foundation
11:45 a.m. Audience Q&A
12:00 p.m. Adjourn
Session 3 – Wednesday, November 17
Embracing Transformative Change
Panelists will explore how thinking bigger and more inclusively—and taking risks to try new approaches—can help get us unstuck and better meet the challenges at our doorstep.
11:00 a.m. Welcome and Introduction
Caity Peterson, associate center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
11:05 a.m. Panel Discussion
Moderator: Celeste Cantú, chair, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board
Don Cameron, vice president and general manager, Terranova Ranch
Andy Fecko, general manager, Placer County Water Agency
Letitia Grenier, resilient landscapes program director, San Francisco Estuary Institute
Adel Hagekhalil, general manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
11:45 a.m. Audience Q&A
12:00 p.m. Adjourn