Candidate for
Director; Marin Municipal Water District; District 4

Environmental Champion

Cynthia is the top California water lawyer for the Environmental Defense Fund, one of the largest non-profit environmental organizations nationwide, where she manages EDF's state water legislative agenda. She was previously the Legal Director for Save San Francisco Bay Association, and teaches water law at Golden Gate University School of Law. She is the only professional environmental advocate running for the MMWD Board, and has almost 25-year career as a public interest environmental attorney + specializing in state and federal water policy, natural resource and endangered species protection.

Cynthia is a recognized leader expert on water rights and water law. She was a lead negotiator in the historic 2009 Delta water policy bill that established the first mandatory urban water conservation requirements, and has long been a key player in Bay-Delta water quality standards. Her record of accomplishment also includes:

• Lead counsel in Save San Francisco Bay Assn. v U.S. + preserving 800,000 acre-feet of water for ecosystem restoration

• Counsel for CalTrout in the successful Mono Lake trial that "Saved Mono Lake"

• Counsel in NRDC v Patterson + requiring federal dams to release sufficient water for fisheries

• Numerous articles, speeches and conference presentations on sustainable water use and natural resource protection.

Cynthia was first elected to the MMWD Board in 2004 and has been a staunch champion for the environment, a responsible steward of the County's water resources and a tireless advocate for water conservation. She has led the Board and the District to substantially expand, improve and push the boundaries of MMWD's water conservation program and to make it our primary water supply focus.

In recognition of her leadership in this area, in 2008 she received commendation from Sustainable Marin for her "outstanding contribution" to MMWD's water conservation and public outreach efforts.

The initiatives that MMWD has undertaken on Cynthia's watch over the last six years include but are not limited to the following:

• Worked with one of the nation's foremost water conservation authorities on a wholesale revamping of its water conservation program.
• Adopted an aggressive new Water Conservation Master Plan.
• Brought in a new conservation manager with substantial on-the-ground technical experience and success.
• Employed a steeply tiered rate structure to send conservation-oriented price signals + lower rates for those who conserve water (Tier 1).
• Encouraged the purchase of 13,000 water efficient appliances with our expanded rebate program (2007-2010).
• Established an extensive schools education program focusing on water conservation and sustainable use of the watershed.
• Adopted one of the State's most stringent conservation ordinances for outdoor landscaping.
• Established a leak detection program.
• Substantially ramped up the Conservation Assistance Program, a free water audit service provided to residential customers.
• Adopted rules requiring lodging establishments to provide guests with a "decline daily linen" service option and requiring restaurants to provide water only on request.
• Launched the 10,000 Rain Gardens Project (with SPAWN) to make rainwater harvesting accessible and feasible through public education.
• Established a major training program for landscape professionals and gardeners to help transform the market and move towards water efficient landscaping district-wide.
• Co-founded the Bay-Friendly Landscape Coalition with other Bay Area agencies and conservation organizations to promote reduced and efficient outdoor water use.
• Developed a GIS program to create water budgets for our 1000 or so irrigation accounts to ensure efficient use.
• Installed two new California Irrigation Management Information Systems (CIMIS) weather stations for a total of three, that provide MMWD with information about water and soil conditions at any given time.

• Led the effort for the Board to adopt a GHG emissions reduction goal of 15% below 1990 levels. Note that this will substantially impact any future decision making with regard to water supply options that involve substantial energy commitments.
• Led the Board in supporting state legislation to get lead out of drinking water fixtures.
• Voted to ban pesticide spraying on watershed lands
• Balanced water quality protection with providing open space for hiking, biking and riding.
• Supported safe and effective weed management and the Fire Flow Program to ensure sufficient water resources and infrastructure to reduce fire risk.

Cynthia's community service includes:

• Past President, Tam Valley Elementary School PTA
• Advisory Board, Mothers of Marin Against the Spray
• Board Member, POWER: Public Officials for Water and Environmental Reform
• Advisory Council, Mountain Play Association
• Alumna, EMERGE: Women for a Democratic Future (Class of 1005) Cynthia received her B.A. from Pomona College in Claremont, CA and her J.D. and Environmental Law Certificate from the University of Oregon School of Law. She lives in Mill Valley with her husband, Gordon Renneisen, and their two sons.