Association Events
Fall 2025 Water Forum
Download All Speaker Presentations Here
| Time | Topic / Panel | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15AM | Registration, Coffee and Networking | |
| 9:00AM | Welcome and Morning Keynote Introduction |
Scott Ratterman Director, Calaveras County Water District |
| 9:05AM | Morning Keynote |
Josh F.W. Cook Former Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| 9:30AM | California Working Together as One – Building a Reliable Water Future |
Adán Ortega, Jr. Chair, Metropolitan Water District David Guy President, Northern California Water Association Michael Saunders Vice Chair, ACWA Region 3 Nicholas Schneider (Moderator) General Manager, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District |
| 10:30AM | State Resources for Regional Resilience: Connecting Landscape Grants to Local Action |
Angela Avery Executive Officer, Sierra Nevada Conservancy |
| 10:55AM | State Legislative Update |
Jason Bryant Principal, Bryant Government Affairs |
| 11:20AM | Emergency Preparedness: Wildfire Awareness and Cybersecurity in the Sierra Nevada |
Max Rudsten Chief Commercial Officer, Watch Duty Hunter Sargent Cybersecurity Risk Specialist, ACWA JPIA Moderator Title to come |
| 12:00PM | Lunch Buffet 2025 Legislator of the Year Award: Assembly Member Diane Papan |
Justin Caporusso Executive Director, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association |
| 12:05AM | Sponsor Recognition - PCWA and Pioneer Community Energy | |
| 12:30PM | Afternoon Keynote Introduction |
Michael Saunders Director, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District |
| 12:35PM | Afternoon Keynote |
Kevin Kiley Congressman |
| 1:00PM | Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO): Modernizing Water Management |
Chris Delaney Principal Engineer, Sonoma County Water Agency Nathan Pingel Surface Water Hydrology and Hydraulics Practice Lead, HDR Joel Fenolio Deputy Operations Manager, Central Valley Office U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Kaitlyn Chow Water Operations Manager Yuba Water Agency Michael Konieczki (Moderator) Senior Hydrologic Engineer, HDR |
| 1:50PM | From Legislation to Implementation: Aligning SB 72 and Prop. 4 with California’s Next Phase of Water Management |
Joel Metzger Deputy Director, Statewide Water Resources Planning and Enterprise Project Management California Department of Water Resources |
| 2:15PM | Closing the Affordability Gap: Solutions for Small and Rural Water Systems |
Larry McKenney General Manager, Amador Water Agency Noelle Mattock Utility Government Relations Administrator City of Roseville, Environmental Utilities Bradley Franklin Research Fellow, Public Policy Institute of California Susan Peters (Moderator) Director, Amador Water Agency |
| 2:55PM | Closing Remarks |
Justin Caporusso Executive Director, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association |
| 3:00AM | End |
Speaker Information
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2025 Member Appreciation Reception
MCWRA 2025 Member Appreciation Reception
Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Bella Grace Vineyards | Sutter Creek, CA
Join the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) for an evening of celebration and gratitude in beautiful Amador County! We’re thrilled to host our 2025 Member Appreciation Reception at Bella Grace Vineyards, where members and partners will enjoy:
🍷 Local wine tasting
🍽️ Delicious small bites
🎶 Live music
🏆 Special member recognition activities
This is our way of saying thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to protecting and advancing the water resources of California’s mountain counties. Don’t miss this opportunity to relax, connect with fellow members, and celebrate the collective impact of our work together.
Webinar: Erosional Threat to Rivers After Wildfire
The presentation will review the risk and potential damage from erosion after wildfires in the Sierra Nevada that have increased in size and severity over the last 20 years. The webinar will review damage to the North Fork Feather River from the Dixie Fire, threats to the Upper American and Consumnes Rivers from the Caldor Fire and the threat to the Wild and Scenic Mokelumne River.
Host: Rich Farrington; Director, Amador Water Agency & Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority
MCWRA Regional Roundtable and Reception
Communication Equals Cooperation – Cooperation Equals Safe, Healthy Watersheds and Forests
Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Black Oak Resort
Agenda
The Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA), in partnership with the Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD), invites you to a special gathering focused on strengthening collaboration across agencies and organizations working to protect Tuolumne County’s watersheds and forests.
Hosted by MCWRA at the Black Oak Resort in Tuolumne County, this event will bring together over 15 presenting organizations and agencies for an engaging roundtable program. Under the theme “Communication equals cooperation — Cooperation equals safe, healthy watersheds and forests,” participating entities will each have approximately five minutes to present how their unique services and efforts contribute to the collective goal of building a fire-safe, resilient Tuolumne County. A moderated question-and-answer session will follow.
Following the formal program, a networking reception and mixer featuring refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will provide an opportunity for participants and guests to connect, exchange ideas, and foster stronger partnerships.
Schedule:
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Roundtable Presentations and Q&A
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Reception and Mixer
MCWRA is pleased to lead this important event showcasing the power of communication, cooperation, and collective action. Together, we can demonstrate to attending legislators and community leaders the outstanding work being accomplished through collaboration across Tuolumne County.
Regional Leaders Reception
Please join the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association (MCWRA) and Yuba Water Agency for a Regional Reception at the Brick Coffee House Cafe in Marysville, CA. The event is taking place on Thursday, April 10th from 5pm-7pm.
Join us to network with MCWRA leadership, and other elected officials from the region.
Please consider sponsoring the event as well! Sponsorship opportunities are outlined below. Please reach out to Emily Randall (emily@caporussocommunications.com) with any questions or for alternate payment options.