The State of California, now in its fourth year of drought, continues to receive long-range forecasts of low precipitation and warmer-than-normal temperatures. Earlier this month, Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order calling for cities and towns across the state to implement mandatory restrictions to reduce water for the first time in California\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
In an effort to provide information and discussion to the community it serves, the University of La\u00a0Verne College of Law hosted \u00a0a day-long symposium Water: Crisis, Law and Culture<\/strong><\/em> on Friday, March 20. The event, organized by the La\u00a0Verne Law Review, brought together legislators, water industry leaders, legal experts and academic specialists to discuss key issues and challenges involving the most valuable of natural resources.<\/p>\n Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (Calif., 32nd District) provided the opening introduction. Napolitano has been a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources since her first term in 1999. She is Ranking Member of the Water & Power Subcommittee, and is a longtime promoter of conservation, water recycling, desalination, and sound groundwater management and storage to address Southern California\u2019s need for adequate water quality and supply.<\/p>\n Larry McKenney, Executive Counsel to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA), gave the keynote address. McKenney has extensive knowledge and experience in water-related matters. His background includes watershed management, coastal preservation and environmental affairs. Along with being a representative of the Municipal Water District of Orange County on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California\u2019s Board of Directors, he serves on numerous boards and is a member of the Southern California Water Dialogue Steering Committee and the California Water Policy Conference Planning Committee.<\/p>\n