ABA Midyear Meeting 2016: Water and Drought in California

Digital Detectives hosts Sharon Nelson and John Simek stop by our table at the American Bar Association’s Meeting 2016 for a conversation about California’s water and drought issues with experts Meena Westford, Carolyn Angius, Elizabeth Clark, Heather Riley, and Michael Kiparsky. Together, they discuss the state’s 5 year water shortage and its impact on agriculture, forest fires, citizens, and , yes, the Delta Smelt.

Programs and projects are currently in the works to bring relief to the Golden State, but for now conservation is having the biggest impact. Agencies across California are beginning to coordinate their efforts in what is known as closing the water cycle. Simply put, their future collaborations will be synchronized to create a more efficient and comprehensive water distribution system at lower cost.

Tune in to learn more about First in Time, First in Right, curtailments, aquifers vs. surface water, the Delta Smelt, and more.

Meena Westford is the special projects manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Carolyn Angius is an associate planner & research analyst at the governor’s office of planning and research in Sacramento, California.

Elizabeth Clark is an attorney at Allen Matkins in the San Francisco office where she practices extensively in real estate law on projects including industrial, municipal, retail, renewable energy developments.

Heather Riley is a partner at Allen Matkins in the San Diego office where she practices in land use and environmental issues. She has extensive experience with the California Environmental Quality Act and also represents clients with matters in water and endangered species law.

Michael Kiparsky is the director for the Wheeler Water Institute for Water Law and Policy at University of Berkeley School of Law