Intense wet weather seems to be coinciding lately with my monthly letters to you all. This month is no exception with an epic winter storm that brought snow across the entire state, even at elevations below 1,000 feet. This past Sunday gave us a short reprieve, but we’re back at it with more precipitation coming down and more in the forecast. 

With all the rain and snow, it may be difficult to comprehend that California is still very much in a drought, despite a few recent big storms. Indeed we are in better shape than 2 months ago, but with the state’s wet season expected to run through April, there remains much uncertainty. Experts say that it will take more than a series of storms to make up for years of deficits. The focus needs to be on: continued improvements in water use (including securing water to support endangered fish and wildlife), investments in better water infrastructure, implementing nature-based solutions to fight climate change and drought, and advocating for funding and legislation that benefit fish and watershed health.

In fact, CalTrout’s Legaislative and Policy team is making moves on their 2023 legislative package to help improve water management, among other objectives. CalTrout is the proud sponsor of three bills this year; notably AB 1272, sponsored by CalTrout along with our partners in the California Salmon and Steelhead Coalition and introduced by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg). AB 1272 will lay the groundwork for creating a more climate-resilient future for native fish and water supplies in coastal California. The bill directs the State Water Resources Control Board and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to work together in developing consistent and predictable drought responses that will ultimately help to ensure drinking water for people and streamflow for fish as the drought persists. Read more and learn about CalTrout’s other sponsored bills in the stories below.

While you hunker down for the storms, please remember this key takeaway: California’s drought is not over and we need to keep working hard and fighting for water security for our state.  

I hope you all stay safe and warm out there, folks.