Michelle Hallack, PhD, Water Resources Engineer from NV5’s Oceanside, California office has been working with Native American tribes in Southern California to provide drought resilience and increase water reliability to create more sustainable communities for future generations. Extremely dry years are projected to increase in Southern California. In addition, more frequent fires shorten fire-return intervals which can cause land cover changes such as vegetation type conversion, which is exacerbated by drought conditions. Thus, boosting communities’ capacity for drought preparation is vital, and depends on planning and improving the resilience of water systems.
Drought impacts are growing and preparing for a likely dry year is needed. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows Southern California’s current conditions as abnormally dry, and some counties, such as Los Angeles, ranging from moderate to severe drought conditions, meaning dry soils and above normal wildfire potential.
Abnormally to severe dry conditions can be observed in reservation lands in Southern California, and their water resources could be highly susceptible to demands that could severely impact potable water availability. Reduced rainfall and drought conditions linked to climate change impacts can further strain water availability and supply when inadequate or aging infrastructure exists, impact public health, and present an increased risk of wildfires.
Accordingly, creative and innovative approaches to financing infrastructure and planning projects are essential. The federal and state governments have been providing funding alternatives to projects oriented to water resources planning, building resilience, and managing water with a sustainable approach. For instance, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART grant program supports a proactive approach for States, Water Districts, and Native American Tribes as they plan for and implement actions to build resilience to droughts by increasing water supply alternatives through investments and modernizing existing infrastructure. In addition, the California Environmental Protection Agency offers funding for Native American tribes through different programs such as the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program to address a variety of environmental and public health objectives, including enhancing local capacity to respond, adapt and prepare for climate change impacts, improve access to safe and clean water, ensure safe drinking water, among others.
For further information on droughts, climate change, and funding opportunities, please visit:
- California Environmental Protection Agency: https://calepa.ca.gov/EnvJustice/Funding/
- CNAP California-Nevada Climate Applications Program: https://sioweb.ucsd.edu/programs/cnap
- State of California Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative: https://waterresilience.ca.gov/
- U.S. Drought Monitor: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/index.html