Secretary's Message

The California Water Plan Update 2013 (Update 2013) continues the California Department of Water Resources' long-standing commitment to regularly assessing the state's water management challenges and opportunities. As I write this introductory message, the extreme drought gripping every corner of the state continues as a blunt reminder of this plan's importance. California's continued growth, our aging water management infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change all add to our collective challenges. Water Plan updates traditionally set forth solution-oriented strategies for use by policy-makers, legislators, water district managers, taxpayers, and others concerned with the sustainable management of our water resources. Update 2013 is no exception. Built upon the work of hundreds of stakeholders of varied perspectives, Update 2013 seeks to create a common awareness of the risks we face and defines a roadmap to move us from plans to action. Update 2013 significantly advances the State's strategic roadmap by recommending actions that support three major themes: a call to redouble our efforts in a holistic water management approach, known as integrated water management; a call for governments at all levels to better align their efforts from data-gathering to regulation; and a call for much greater investment in our water resources systems. Update 2013 is a comprehensive, long-term plan that complements Governor Brown's California Water Action Plan, released in January, which identifies key actions for the next five years to build reliability, restoration, and resilience into California's water resources. The actions — some already underway, while others are new proposals — aim to stabilize water supplies, reverse the decline of groundwater basins, improve water quality, restore ecosystems and wildlife populations, guard more effectively against flood damage, and secure water infrastructure against earthquakes and rising sea levels. Region by region, strategy by strategy, California Water Plan Update 2013 lays out our challenges and offers a clear path — with an emphasis on innovation, integration, and investment — toward a sustainable water future. This is not a path to be taken by California State government alone. This is an inclusive journey, and I look forward to working with you all along the way.