SACRAMENTO – In November 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion water bond that will make needed investments in the state’s water management systems and support the goals of the California Water Action Plan.

The bond provides $2.7 billion to increase the state’s water storage capacity and designates the California Water Commission as the state agency responsible for developing and adopting a program to appropriately allocate these funds for the public benefits of eligible water storage projects.

“In approving the water bond, California voters have entrusted this Commission with a huge responsibility and it is one that we do not take lightly. We are committed to developing an investment program that will improve the health of our water management system and yield far-reaching public benefits for all Californians,” Commission Chair Joe Byrne said at the commission's Wednesday meeting.

 “The importance of the public benefits associated with water storage projects cannot be overstated. We look forward to a thorough and thoughtful public process – guided by significant stakeholder input and collaboration – to determine how to best invest in multi-purpose projects that provide these critical benefits,” he continued.

“The bond calls for this funding to begin at the end of 2016.  Between now and then, we are absolutely committed to creating a program that will result in great water projects, is mindful of the public’s trust that we spend this money efficiently and benefits our state, its people, and our environment,” Byrne concluded.

The commission will initiate a stakeholder engagement process to collect feedback and ideas about how to develop Water Storage Investment Program guidelines and regulations.

Interested parties are encouraged to provide input at commission meetings and upcoming working sessions, or by participating in a Water Project Survey that will be available on the commission’s website later this month. 

More information is available at https://cwc.ca.gov/Pages/PublicBenefits1.aspx or by emailing the commission at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The California Water Commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

It advises the director of the Department of Water Resources on matters within the department’s jurisdiction, approves rules and regulations, and monitors and reports on the construction and operation of the State Water Project.

California’s comprehensive water legislation, enacted in 2009, gave the commission new responsibilities regarding the investment of public funds for the public benefits of water storage projects, and developing regulations for the quantification and management of those benefits.