About Us
History
In an interest to develop pragmatic and durable solutions to address the Valley’s water challenges, on September 21, 2020, leaders from various Valley interest groups came together to participate in a Stanford University sponsored a virtual “Uncommon Dialogue.” The dialogue was inspired and convened by Timothy Quinn, a California water policy expert, and formerly the Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies. It was co-chaired by Barton ‘Buzz’ Thompson, a prominent water expert and Robert E. Paradise, professor of natural resources law at the Stanford University School of Law, and Ashley Swearengin, a Valley thought leader and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Valley Community Foundation.
The dialogue participants crafted a vision statement, a common problem statement, and ultimately a solution set, which set the stage for the launching the San Joaquin Valley Water Collaborative Action Program.
In the CAP’s Vision Statement, the general policy objectives and desired outcomes of the collaborative were laid out, which were unanimously approved by CAP participants in December 2020. The Vision Statement recognizes that accomplishing this goal will require building relationships of trust, which will allow creative collaboration, and that broad partnership will make feasible what was previously infeasible.
The CAP Vision Statement
Ensuring a sustainable and resilient water supply for the San Joaquin Valley for multiple benefits by securing safe, reliable, and affordable access to water for drinking; sustainable and productive farms and ranches; healthy communities; and thriving terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
To implement this vision for the Valley, interests from all perspectives must build trust through greater shared understanding of the problems and opportunities we face. Establishing trust gives us an opportunity to collaborate on creative solutions to multiple integrated challenges of water and land management in the San Joaquin Valley. A broad partnership supporting creative solutions makes feasible what is otherwise infeasible.
CAP Governance
In December 2020, CAP participants approved a governance structure, which was revised in February 2024. There are five caucuses; safe drinking water advocates and technical service providers, agriculture organizations, water agencies, environmental organizations, and local government representatives. The CAP works on a consensus decision process where all caucuses must support an action for it to move forward. The Plenary Group includes all CAP participants and serves as a forum to share perspectives, build relationships, and provide input for CAP actions. At the center of the governance structure is the Steering Committee composed of two representatives from each of the five caucuses.
The Steering Committee is responsible for decisions regarding the CAP budget, funding, outreach, and determining if there is caucus support for final recommendations to other organizations for implementing actions to achieve the Term Sheet. The caucus representatives on the Steering Committee are responsible for informing their respective caucuses of draft recommendations for action ensuring their caucus supports the recommended actions.
The Steering Group is Co-Chaired by Sarah Woolf of WaterWise (who represents the Agricultural Caucus and Ann Hayden of Environmental Defense Fund (who represents the Environmental NGO Caucus.) Jim Kramer, an experienced facilitator from Washington State chosen through a competitive process, facilitates the CAP process. Jim is assisted by Laura Ramos, of the California Water Institute of Fresno State.
Funding
To date, the CAP has received support from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, Central Valley Community Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund, the California Department of Water Resources, the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, Sustainable Conservation, River Partners, and Environmental Defense Fund. CAP has been included in a Congressionally Directed Spending grant in the FY2023 federal budget.