2023 California Water Law Symposium | February 4 at University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law | Species & Water
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Panel Descriptions and
​MCLE Materials 

2023 Keynote Speaker

The morning Keynote will be delivered by Dr. Rene Henery, California Science Director for Trout Unlimited.

Keynote Speaker's Materials
Equity, Belonging, and Law as a Healing Practice

Panel 1 - 9:45 AM-11:00 AM
Hydropower & Species

Organized by Golden Gate University School of Law and University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco 

Climate change in California is challenging lawyers to develop novel approaches that protect species and balance human interests. This panel focuses on two main issues. First, the panel will examine the impacts of the Central Valley Project’s network of dams on downstream fisheries in the Friant and Shasta Dams. Panelists will address how the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, California Fish & Game Code, and reasonable use law. Second, the panel will also examine how fishery impacts are addressed under the FERC relicensing process for non-federal dams in California.
Dana Heinrich, CA State Water Resources Control Board
David Rose, CA State Water Resources Control Board
Daniel Cooper, Sycamore Law Group; Co-Counsel for San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper
Paul Kibel, Professor at GGU; Counsel for Water and Power Law Group [Moderator]
MCLE Materials
Application of Federal and California Law to Reclamation Dams Impacting Fisheries PPT
San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper v United States Reclamation Bureau (Re Twitchell Dam)​

​​

Panel 2 - 11:15 AM-12:30 PM
Indigenous Peoples, Water Rights, and Species Protection

Organized by University of San Francisco School of Law and UC Davis School of Law

Our panel begins by examining the colonial history that gave rise to California’s unique hybrid water system and shapes Indigenous peoples’ present-day water rights in the Bay Delta context. You will hear from tribal advocates about the impacts of their historical exclusion from California’s water rights system on native species, food security, and cultural survival. The recent approval of the Klamath Dams removal project is a historic coordination effort and one of the most promising salmon recovery opportunities to date. Still, it raises crucial questions: Why did the approval process take so long? What lessons can tribes and future resource managers learn? Finally, to round out the panel will be a forward-looking presentation on water law reform and the tools available to remedy past inequities. 
Stephanie Safdi, Supervising Attorney, Stanford Environmental Law Clinic
Kate Poole, Senior Director, Water Division NRDC
Marianna Aue, Staff Attorney, State Water Board Office of the Chief Counsel
​Gary Mulcahy, 
Government Liaison for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe
Malissa A. Tayaba, Vice Chair, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians; Director of Tribe's Traditional Ecological Knowledge Department
Margaret Vick, Professor at McGeorge School of Law [Moderator]
MCLE Materials​​
Attributes of Federal Indian Reserved Water Rights PPT
Reforming California's Inequitable Water Rights System PPT
Lower Klamath Project Dam Removal Selected Resources
Returning the Water: Water Quality Regulation and Restoration of Instream Flows in California's Bay-Delta PPT
Stephanie Safdi Outline of Remarks
​

Panel 3 - 1:15 PM-2:30 PM
Agricultural Land Repurposing: A Gentler Way to Reform Agricultural Water Use

Organized by UC Berkeley School of Law and Stanford Law School

Agriculture makes up 80% of California's water use, but agricultural reform has long been left behind in drought management plans. New land repurposing investment programs, collaborations between state agencies and NGOs, promise to transform water-intensive farmlands into wildlife habitat, parks, and water-limited agriculture. But is this enough? Does it focus too much on water and not enough on ecosystems and endangered species? How do farmers and agricultural interests feel about their livelihood being converted? Should they have to agree for the state to alter their land? Should they retain their historic water rights or be required to accept buyouts?  And how much help does this offer species in the end?
​
Vicky Espinoza, Strategic Restoration Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Keali'i Bright, Deputy Secretary for Climate and Energy, CA Natural Resources Agency
Rebecca Smith, Downey Brand
Felicia Marcus, Stanford University's Water in the West Program; Attorney/Consultant, The Water Policy Group [Moderator]
MCLE Materials
Nature Based Solutions & Agroecological Practices for Dealing with Water Scarcity PPT
​
​Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program PPT

Panel 4 - 2:45 PM-4:00 PM
Innovations in Accommodating Water Supply & Species Protection

Organized by University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
​

​This panel will explore innovative approaches to reconciling the diverse needs of water supply and species protection such as voluntary landowner/water right holder agreements and storing water for the environment. Panelists will describe their experiences with voluntary water initiatives, assessing challenges and opportunities, and share their thoughts about directions for the future. The panel will also describe a new approach for managing environmental water in reservoirs which involves assignment of storage rights to environmental water and allowing environmental water managers to adaptively direct the timing and volume of storage releases for the purpose of maximizing environmental benefits.
Shannon Little, Attorney, Office of the Chief Counsel, Department of Fish and Wildlife
Dr. Sarah Null, Associate Professor at Utah State University
Dr. Ada Fowler, Mount Shasta-Klamath Senior Project Manager, Cal Trout
Kelley Taber, Attorney, Somach Simmons & Dunn
Kaitlin Harr, Attorney, Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard [Moderator]
MCLE Materials​
Cutting the Green Tape: Restoration Permitting & CEQA Tools PPT
California Department of Fish and Wildlife Initiatives
Storing Water for the Environment: Operating Reservoirs to Improve California's Freshwater Ecosystems PPT
​
Policy Brief - Storing Water for the Environment

Voluntary Agreements - Shasta Safe Harbor Incidental Take Agreement PPT
Ada Fowler Outline of Remarks

The Hart Ranch: A Model for Voluntary Conservation Efforts PPT
Hart Ranch Voluntary Efforts to Promote Species Conservation Through Exercise of Pre-1914 Water Rights

MCLE credit hours are provided by University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
​(Provider Number 27)

Thank You to Our Participating Schools

​​For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact waterlawsymposium@gmail.com

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  • Home
  • About
    • Symposium Chairs
    • Panel Chairs
    • Faculty Advisors
    • Directors
  • Program
    • Agenda
    • Panel Descriptions & MCLE
    • Panelists and Speakers
  • Registration
  • Parking and Transportation
  • Writing Prize
  • Past Symposia
  • Resources