In this Issue...


Western Water looks at the current system of administering water rights in California and asks the question: Does California need a water court? Answers vary.


Editor’s Note


Water in California is complicated; there are no two ways about that.


When I was a reporter covering water in Southern California, it was clear that reporters across the state who developed that specialty often wrote the best stories: Mark Grossi, still of the Fresno Bee; Tom Philp, formerly of the Sacramento Bee and the late Mike Taugher of the Contra Costa Times, among them. When a general-assignment reporter was


roped into covering a water issue, it was often done with little insight and context. Not that they didn’t try but there is a steep learning curve when it comes to water in California, from the plumbing that brings the water to our faucets to the water quality issues that are often measured in parts per billion.


Cover illustration by Curtis Leipold, Graphic Communications


On the Cover Credits


Editors


Jennifer Bowles Sue McClurg


Writer Gary Pitzer


Editorial Assistance Diana Farmer


Design & Layout Graphic Communications Photos


John Chacon, California Department of Water Resources Florence Low, California Department of Water Resources Judy Maben


Stan Obert, VISIT DENVER


So it might make sense on the surface, with so many key water battles ending up in court, that the judges who render decisions about the life-sustaining resource have an added extra background in water. Specialty judges are nothing new. After all, there are judges at the state or federal level who only oversee cases involving bankruptcy, family law, probate or juvenile matters. This issue of Western Water looks in-depth at the reasons why and why not to have a water court in California and the differing viewpoints are very insightful.


My own education in water issues really got started with a Western water law class at the University of Colorado, Boulder that was taught by the late David Getches, known as one of the best minds in water law. It continued when I became the water/environmental reporter at the Press-Enterprise in Inland Southern California. While I came to the newspaper with a good understanding of water issues, knowing the local plumbing was another thing. And, as most of us realize, the plumbing is often at the heart of several issues in the water world. I’m grateful that folks at the local water districts – San Bernardino Valley


Read bios of our board members


The Water Education Foundation thanks all the sources and experts who reviewed this magazine for balance and accuracy.


The mission of the Water Education Foundation, an impartial, nonprofi t organization, is to create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach.


Western Water is published by the Water Education Foundation, 1401 21st


Street, Suite 200, Sacramento,


CA 95811 (916) 444-6240, fax (916) 448-7699. An annual subscription to this bi-monthly magazine is $65. The balance of the Foundation’s information program may be supported by larger amounts, which are tax deductible. Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.


E-mail: feedback@watereducation.org Web page: www.watereducation.org ISSN: 0735-5424


President: William R. Mills Executive Director: Jennifer Bowles


© 2014 Water Education Foundation 2


Water District, Western Municipal Water District, Eastern Municipal Water District, Riverside Public Utilities and Coachella Valley Water District, among them – took the time to explain the local intricacies.


And, of course, I took at tour of the lower Colorado River with the Water Education Foundation that provided me with an unforgettable closeup of the issues at hand on the mighty river. Working at Best Best & Krieger was an added bonus. There, I edited articles penned by such great water lawyers as Roderick Walston, whose storied career involved a stint as the Interior Department’s acting solicitor and who recently argued the fascinating Scott River case on whether the Public Trust Doctrine can apply to groundwater. And then there was Eric Garner, the BB&K attorney who is like a walking encyclopedia of water rights and who, along with the endearing Art Littleworth, literally wrote the book on water law: California Water. I’ve been blessed with having these experiences. Yet, I know, there is always


more to learn. ❖ – Jennifer Bowles


For more on the Foundation’s exciting programs and new publications turn to page 14, or visit our website, www.watereducation.org


Western Water


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