PCWA salutes LaMalfa; board advances water forum 2050 agreement

The Placer County Water Agency Board of Directors on Jan. 15 honored the life and legacy of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a longtime representative of northeastern California and supporter of PCWA's mission. LaMalfa, who represented California's First Congressional District since 2013, died Jan. 6 in Chico at age 65. "Doug was a true friend to Placer County," noted PCWA board chairman Robert Dugan. "He was a fourth-generation rice farmer and understood the importance of water as well as water policy. He consistently linked water reliability, land stewardship and forest health to the long-term viability of agriculture in Northern California. Doug collaborated with our agency on many projects and helped our county flourish. He will be missed." LaMalfa represented eastern Placer County foothill communities before redistricting and served a largely rural Northern California district extending north through the Sacramento Valley and into the northern Sierra and far-north counties. Before his election to Congress, he represented portions of Placer County in the California State Assembly and State Senate. In Congress, LaMalfa advanced policies supporting reliable water supplies, responsible forest management, agricultural sustainability and renewable energy – priorities closely aligned with PCWA's mission to provide safe, reliable water and steward the region's natural resources. He was a consistent supporter of increased water storage, forest health initiatives and infrastructure investments that strengthen long-term resilience for communities and watersheds. In 2022, the PCWA Board of Directors formally recognized LaMalfa for his years of service to Placer County and for his collaboration with the agency on water, energy and natural resource stewardship. That resolution cited his support for projects central to PCWA's mission, including Sites Reservoir and forest health initiatives. Board advances Water Forum agreement At the same meeting, the PCWA board approved the renewed Water Forum 2050 Agreement, a 25-year extension to the pact among water purveyors, business interests, government agencies and environmental organizations that guides water management in the lower American River, downstream of Folsom Reservoir. The meeting was attended by the Water Forum's executive director and members of the business and environmental communities. The agreement was conceived in the 1990s to balance the needs of water for growing economy with the needs of the river's aquatic environment and originally executed in 2000. With a diverse membership representing a wide range of interests, the Water Forum workstoward co-equal objectives through a framework of ongoing collaboration, science and monitoring, and operating commitments by water agencies. According to PCWA staff reports, the Water Forum has been successful in striking a balance between water for Placer County's growing economy and for the environment, making it a model for water management in California and leading to state investment in multi-benefit water supply projects in the region. Director Gray Allen, representing Roseville, said, "The Water Forum is good for the environment, good for the economy and good for our region – it's the kind of outcome that results from local people taking control of their local needs." Tony Firenzi, PCWA Director of Strategic Affairs, told the board how the Water Forum was the cornerstone of support for major PCWA initiatives, including the American River Water Rights Extension, construction of the American River Pump Station and the planned RiverArc project to supply regional water needs from the Sacramento River. The Water Forum also provides for PCWA's commitment to groundwater replenishment in wet years and environmental flow releases for health of the lower American River in dry years, resulting from reoperation of the agency's reservoirs. To learn more about Water Forum 2050, visit https://waterforum.org.