What is Water Sustainability? The APPLE Center for Sustainable Living announces an important community education program on February 9th from 7-9 PM at City Hall in Nevada City examining the question, What is Water Sustainability? Nevada City, City Hall Council Chambers. Suggested donation $5.00.

The APPLE Center has assembled a panel of five local and regional water experts who will tackle the complex terrain of California water policy and management. While addressing the spectrum of statewide water issues from water quality and supply, agriculture, energy production and ecosystem collapse, the panelists will bring it home by exploring some possible solutions to this water crisis that may reside within the Yuba and Bear River watersheds of Western Nevada County. Ample time will be granted for audience Q&A.

Participating panelists include: Stephen Baker, hydrogeologist and groundwater expert; Carrie Monohan, hydrologist and science director with The Sierra Fund; Jason Rainey, executive director with The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL); Steve Rothert, director of the California regional office for American Rivers; and Nick Wilcox, NID, Division V board member and former Chief of the Bay-Delta unit with the State Water Resources Control Board.  The panel will be moderated by Elizabeth Soderstrom, Senior Director of Conservation for American Rivers.

“There aren’t too many issues more complex and contentious than California’s water policy and management.  Solutions won’t come easily, but they do require making hard choices that break away from the failure of the status quo,” says Jason Rainey, executive director of the South Yuba River Citizens League.

Through February, an exhibit at The APPLE Center explores possible solutions to this water crisis and asserts that perhaps the most important way to achieve statewide “water sustainability,” is to work from the center, outward.  By working on the individual, home, municipal and watershed scales, we can demonstrate and implement the most effective water solutions, such as conservation, reclamation, and integrated water management practices. To learn more, attend the water panel on February 9th and visit the APPLE Center.

The APPLE Center is a project of the Alliance for a Post-Petroleum Local Economy, and is located at 412 Commercial Street, Nevada City (at the entrance to the main public parking lot). For more information, call 478-1700 or email Info@APPLECenter.org.