A Word from Our General Manager, Rebecca Guo

I’m excited to report that we are making meaningful progress in advancing the Programmatic Watershed Plan that was developed by the Upper American River Watershed Group to sustainably manage the watershed for long-term resiliency and community prosperity. The Group recently met to develop goals for the coming year which include aligning watershed messaging to develop a collective narrative and building a data management framework that will make information more accessible and impactful across the region and state. We appreciate all of the partners’ contributions and we will continue to keep you updated about these important initiatives.

Looking ahead, I am excited to serve on the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Region 3 Board in 2026-27. Our mountain county faces unique water resource challenges and I’m excited to both strengthen connections within our region and help elevate our county’s perspective in state level water policy discussions.

I also would like to extend our thanks to Kyle Ericson, who worked as a Water Resources Principal. We appreciate Kyle’s contributions to EDWA, including being our representative on numerous regional collaboratives, leading our American River Water Instrumentation Network initiative to improve hydrometeorological monitoring, and helping develop a plan to support small water systems and domestic well owners in preparing for future droughts and water shortages. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

As the holiday season approaches, I’m filled with gratitude for our team, our Board of Directors, and all the partners who collaborate with us. Collectively, let us continue to help advance economic prosperity, protect our watershed, and preserve the rural-agricultural way of life that makes our County so special, both today and for generations to come.

Legislative Session Comes to a Close After October 13th Deadline

October 13th marked the final deadline for the governor to sign or veto bills passed by the California Legislature adjourned on Saturday September 13th, a day later than originally planned. The Constitutional 72 hour in-print rule, and several late breaking agreements that took extra time to hammer out caused the delay and extended stay in Sacramento last month.

With the end of session, several big water policy proposals EDWA was tracking either advanced or failed to make it to the finish line. Among the items successfully moving forward was an appropriation of $3.1B from voter approved Proposition 4 (Nov 2024).

These monies will be dedicated to water infrastructure, forest health and wildfire preparedness (among other things) with many of those dollars eligible for projects and priorities that we have right here at home in El Dorado County. Also approved was an extension of California’s Cap and Trade program, which directs millions of dollars annually into forest health and fire resiliency projects that protect our communities and help rebuild after such disasters as the King and Caldor fires.

Among the items failing to advance were two Governor sponsored proposals: one to fast track the Delta Conveyance Project (the tunnel) and one to waive CEQA standards for Delta outflows (the Delta Water Quality Control Plan). EDWA tracks these items as their implementation will have impacts to water operations in the American River watershed and the operation of Folsom Reservoir, affecting water supplies in our local communities.

Finally, many of the individual bills EDWA engaged on were tabled for further discussion in 2026. However, among the bills to reach the Governor’s desk included two proposals to update the State’s water management planning, accounting for increased variability in climate volatility, reductions in snowpack, and other impacts to our water supply reliability. EDWA was pleased to support these bills. The Governor signed one into law (SB 72) but unfortunately not the other (SB 224).



The Legislature will return in January 2026. Watch this space and other EDWA updates as next year’s session gets underway at that time!

Calling All El Dorado County Youth Artists!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our second annual student art contest! This year’s theme celebrates how winter’s rain and snow help replenish our watershed fueling the water we rely on all year long. Students in grades K–8 across El Dorado County are invited to explore this important cycle and bring it to life through their creativity. Students should submit original artwork that encompasses the theme “Winter in the Watershed” by January 12, 2026. The winning pieces will be displayed at the Placerville Public Library during the month of February and the winners will receive a fun art basket prize.



Our art contest last year was such a success - we received over 70 artistic entries that creatively embraced the “Water on the Farm" theme. We can’t wait to see all of the artwork that students submit this year! For submission details, please view the flyer on our website.