Groups Press 2026 Governor Hopefuls on Water Policy

SACRAMENTO — As California’s 2026 gubernatorial race takes shape, the South Yuba River Citizens League and California Coastkeeper Alliance are urging candidates to publicly commit to proposals in a water policy blueprint. The alliance released the blueprint in April, outlining ways to update California’s water management amid climate change and rising demand. SYRCL, which focuses on the Yuba River as its Waterkeeper, has promoted the blueprint through a campaign called Your Water, Your Vote that launched in February.

SYRCL works to protect the Yuba River watershed by advocating for policies that keep more water in rivers, restoring forests and meadows to improve stream flows, and educating the public on water quality. The group runs the Your Water, Your Vote campaign to get candidates on record about clean water issues ahead of the election. Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann leads SYRCL and sits on the Coastkeeper Alliance board.

The blueprint points to serious water problems in California. It says that more than 30,000 miles of rivers and streams do not meet basic quality standards, over 80 percent of native fish species are at risk, more than 1,400 dams have cut off most salmon spawning areas, and about one million people get water from systems that often fail safety tests, with many low-income families paying a high share of their income for water.

The blueprint lays out three main sets of policy ideas. One set calls for spending more on local projects, such as treating wastewater for reuse, capturing rainwater, and fixing leaks, rather than building new large pipelines or dams from afar. It also wants rules that require enough water to stay in rivers for fish and people who depend on them. A second set pushes for stronger enforcement of pollution laws, new standards for chemicals like PFAS, permits for stormwater from businesses, and projects to restore forests and floodplains. The third set asks for changes to water boards to include more voices from communities and Tribes, protections against federal cuts to clean water rules, and ways to make water bills more affordable for low-income households while making polluters pay for cleanup.

In the Yuba River area, the ideas include setting flow levels to help fish recover and supporting forest work that SYRCL already does to keep water flowing later in the year and lower fire risks.

“California’s next Governor will define the state’s water future,” said Dr. Aaron Zettler-Mann, SYRCL executive director. “Our ability to live in balance with nature, continue as an economic powerhouse, and let future generations have swimmable, drinkable, fishable water is dependent on water policy which is grounded in the reality of climate change and responsive to 21st century demands.” Traci Sheehan, SYRCL policy director, said voters should get involved. “Your voice shapes your water’s future. Decisions made in the election will shape the Yuba River’s future. We must ask every candidate where they stand on protecting the water that sustains us all.”

The blueprint lists possible upsides such as cleaner water, better habitats for wildlife, less energy use for moving water, more green jobs, and stronger local economies that rely on reliable water. The full blueprint is available online. SYRL also provides more information about the blueprint and the Your Water, Your Vote campaign at yubariver.org.