Thursday January 29, 2026
Maven’s Notebook —
Westlands Water District (Westlands) welcomes the State Water Resources Control Board’s unanimous approval of a 25-year extension of the Lower Yuba River Accord (Accord), a landmark, multi-benefit agreement that will remain in effect through 2050. The Board’s vote extending the Accord’s points of diversion and places of use demonstrates that collaborative, science-based solutions deliver stronger environmental and water-supply outcomes than prescriptive, one-size-fits-all mandates.
The Lower Yuba River Accord is widely recognized as a national model for resolving complex water challenges through collaboration. Developed as an alternative to prescriptive regulatory requirements, the Accord brought together state agencies, local water managers, environmental interests, and water users to create a durable, science-based, flexible framework that benefits fish, communities, and farms alike. This model serves as a template for future endeavors to tackle California’s intricate water challenges.