CALFED: Using Joint Fact-Finding to Resolve Long-Standing Disputes (1998-2005)

From 1998-2005, CONCUR organized, structured and facilitated several high-profile and technically complex independent review processes intended to help resolve several aspects of California’s long-standing water wars.  These independent review panels – undertaken as part of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, a state-federal initiative intended to resolve the state’s intertwined water supply reliability, water quality, levee system integrity and ecosystem restoration needs – focused on ecosystem restoration, agricultural water conservation potential, agricultural water use measurement and CALFED-wide program financing.

The dialogues – a series of discussions that brought together independent and local experts, as well as stakeholder representatives – succeeded in narrowing many areas of disagreement and provided a solid foundation for further agreements.  In particular, the Independent Panel on Agricultural Water Use Measurement (2003 Final Report PDF) resulted in state legislation (AB 1404) aimed at strengthening water use measurement requirements.  Similarly, the 1998 Independent Review Panel on Agricultural Water Conservation Potential provided the foundation for reinventing the Water Use Efficiency Program as an incentive-driven effort focused on attaining specific regional objectives (1999 Summary Report PDF).  CONCUR also helped design, convene, and facilitate CALFED’s Water Management Science Board.