2014 Drought Briefing Set for Feb. 14 in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 13, 2014) -  Four top officials leading the state's drought response effort will join other local, state and federal water officials to discuss the latest on California's statewide drought at a half-day briefing Friday, Feb. 14 in Sacramento. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1013 K Street in downtown Sacramento. (Program begins at 9; registration begins at 8:30.)

California Natural Resources Agency Secretary John Laird, California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus and California Office of Emergency Services Directed Mark Ghilarducci will provide an update on the state's efforts to combat severe drought conditions. Maury Roos, chief hydrologist with the Department of Water Resources, will provide an overview on drought conditions and Dr. Mark Starr, a deputy director at the California Department of Public Health, will discuss the drought's impact on drinking water systems. Other local officials will discuss how specific communities are responding to the drought and its ripple effect on energy, forestry and agricultural resources.

The briefing takes place as the state's water managers mobilize to respond to the most severe drought conditions in modern times, eclipsing the drought of 1976-'77. The storms of early February brought some precipitation to Northern California, but state officials say the rains will not provide significant relief.

Since Gov. Jerry Brown declared a statewide drought emergency on Jan. 17, state and federal officials have launched a suite of unprecedented actions, including cutting State Water Project allocations to zero for the first time in the project's history.

Friday's briefing topics will include:

• Overview of California's Drought Conditions
• A Look at Local Impacts Around the State
• Managing the Drought Crisis on the Ground
• The Ripple Effect
• Reaching the California Consumer

WHAT:
2014 Drought Briefing - Impacts and Actions: What You Need to Know

WHEN:
Friday, February 14, 2014, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Program begins at 9; registration begins at 8:30.)

WHERE:
Crest Theater, 1013 K Street, Sacramento

A live webcast also will be available. Please register here to receive information. Agenda is here.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:
Media, local elected officials, water managers, legislative staff, statewide business / agricultural leaders.

The event is sponsored by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), California Department of Water Resources, California State Association of Counties (CSAC), League of California Cities, California Farm Water Coalition, California Farm Bureau Federation, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and others.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.