The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is pleased to release a foundational document that describes the overall strategy, process, and considerations related to the development and implementation of the Sacramento Regional Water Bank.
The Goal, Objectives, Principles, and Constraints (GOPC) document sets the direction for developing the Water Bank’s operations, governance, communication and engagement, environmental compliance, and more.
While drafting the document, feedback and input was gathered from the public and interested parties during Stakeholder Forums, sharing sessions, and a public comment period, and was considered as the document evolved through several drafts. Document development milestones included:
- In the second half of 2022, participating local water agencies developed several iterations and refinements of the goals, objectives, principles, and constraints document. Working drafts were discussed with various stakeholders, interested parties, and other organizations throughout the development process.
- Feedback was solicited during the Water Bank Stakeholder Forum #2, in February 2023, and considered as part of the refinement process.
- In April 2023, the draft was presented to Reclamation as part of an ongoing companion study, and the agency’s input is reflected in redline revisions to the “Relationship to the CVP” principles.
It is important to note that the Water Bank goals, objectives, principles, and constraints are intended to be a “living document,” open to periodic revisions as Water Bank implementation continues.
You can read the GOPC document here.
Next, the Water Bank Program Team is working with the Water Bank Program Committee (RWA agencies supporting Water Bank development) on drafting documents related to governance, and the project description for environmental documentation. These documents are expected to be discussed during a third Stakeholder Forum in fall 2023.