WATER COMMITTEE SETS 2015 PRIORITIES, GETS SNEAK PEEK AT EXTREME WEATHER STUDY

A record turnout braved the Bay Area’s biggest storm in years to attend this Tuesday’s (Dec. 2) meeting of the Bay Area Council Water Committee. The meeting started, fittingly, with a preview of the results of a highly anticipated upcoming Bay Area Council Economic Institute report on the region’s physical and economic vulnerability to damage from extreme-weather events. According to the research, due to be released early 2015, billions of dollars are at risk today — a figure that will rise with future sea levels.

The committee, who was joined by top managers from the region’s largest water agencies, also heard from Karla Nemeth, Deputy Director of the California Natural Resources Agency. Nemeth provided hydrological, policy and political updates on the drought, BDCP, and future of water infrastructure finance. Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Andy Ball, West Coast President of Suffolk Construction, and Jim Levine, Managing Partner of Montezuma Wetlands LLC, the committee adopted its 2015 priorities that include funding for San Francisco Bay wetlands and flood defenses, increasing drought awareness, and improving water infrastructure financing. To engage with the Water Committee, please contact policy Manager Adrian Covert.