From the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Program:
SGMA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Central Valley Workshop for GSAs
Join us for an interactive workshop to discuss the DWR Sustainable Groundwater Management Program implementation efforts and key components of Groundwater Sustainability Plan Development. This is a free workshop hosted by the California Department of Water Resources and is open to GSAs statewide and the public. Information booths will open at 12:30 PM.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 Fourth Street, Clovis, California 93612
This workshop will feature: GSA formation updates, Assistance & engagement information, Guidance, data, and tools overviews, Interactive forums on Groundwater Sustainability Plan development, Information booths on Proposition 1 Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant and much more.
Please RSVP for the workshop at http://bit.ly/2xzs0Qo
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Formation
In a major step toward sustainable groundwater management in California, more than 99 percent of the state’s high- and medium-priority groundwater basins have met a key deadline to form local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) under the state’s landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014. “Groundwater accounts for a third of the state’s water supply on average and serves as a critically important source in dry years,” said Department of Water Resources Director Grant Davis. “It’s encouraging to see such a strong commitment from land owners and communities to manage this critical water source now and for future generations.”
For the remaining basins that did not meet the GSA formation deadline, the State Water Board sent letters to property owners to identify if there are active wells drawing groundwater that must be reported to the state. Portions of basins not covered by a GSA, adjudication, or alternative plan are considered unmanaged areas. Groundwater extractions made from an unmanaged area must be reported to the state. The locations of unmanaged areas can be viewed on the unmanaged area identification map.
All GSA notifications can be submitted, viewed, and managed within DWR’s SGMA Portal.
Contact: Mark Nordberg | Mark.Nordberg@water.ca.gov | (916) 651-9673
Draft Guidance Documents for Engagement and Communication
Thanks to everyone who submitted comments on DWR’s two draft guidance documents, Guidance Document for Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Stakeholder Communication and Engagement (C&E) and Engagement with Tribal Governments. Public comment on the drafts were accepted through August 28, 2017. The C&E document offers guidance on communication with stakeholders for GSP development through a transparent and inclusive process. The Engagement with Tribal Governments document is intended to help local agencies engage with Tribal Governments in the planning, financing and management of a GSA, or with the development and implementation of a GSP. DWR is reviewing the submissions and will consider the input as the drafts are finalized, expected in late September or early October.
Technical Assistance
Providing technical assistance to water managers and GSAs is crucial in enabling successful management of groundwater basins. DWR is providing local agencies and GSAs with technical assistance which includes data and tools at both the regional and statewide level to support Groundwater Sustainability Plan development and implementation. Visit DWR’s SGM Program – Data, Tools, and Reports webpage for more access to:
- Statewide Data Platforms
- Best Management Practices and Guidance Documents
- Interactive Maps – Groundwater Information Center Interactive Map & Water Management Planning Tool
- Modeling – Code and Applications
- Reports – Bulletin 118 and Bulletin 160
- Water Data Library and more
Contact: Steven Springhorn | Steven.Springhorn@water.ca.gov | (916) 651-9273
Water Commission Posts Projects Seeking Prop. 1 Funding for Storage
The California Water Commission’s Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) Project Review Portal is now active. The Commission is committed to an open and transparent process and this portal will make WSIP documents such as applications, review and decision related items available to the public. The 12 applications received on August 14th are now posted. The Project Review Portal will be updated continuously as more information and documents become available.
Upcoming Events
~ Principles of Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling ~
This is an introductory course offered by the Groundwater Resources Association that reviews the concepts of groundwater flow and transport, and of finite difference and finite element methods. It also provides an overview of various software programs for groundwater flow and transport modeling.
Monday, September 11 – Wednesday, September 13, 2017
8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Seaport Conference Center, 459 Seaport Court, Redwood City, California 94064
More Information and Registration
Groundwater Resources Association 2017 Conference and 26th Annual Meeting
GRA’s 2017 Conference and 26th Annual Meeting will provide policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and educators the opportunity to learn about current policies, regulations and technical challenges affecting the protection, use and management of groundwater in California. DWR’s Trevor Joseph, Steven Springhorn, and Tyler Hatch will all be presenting at this conference. Attendees will learn from real world successful case studies on groundwater management, replenishment and recharge, and groundwater protection and remediation, and will walk away with concepts and solutions that can be applied to their local projects and groundwater management issues. This year there will also be an optional Groundwater Law pre-conference on October 2nd.
Tuesday, October 3- Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Hilton Arden West; 2220 Harvard Street; Sacramento, CA 95815
More information and Registration
SGMA Definitions and Groundwater Glossary
SGMA provided California with a roadmap for sustainably managing our groundwater, and it also came with its own lexicon. Looking for the definition of “Undesirable result” or “De minimis extractor”? It’s right here. Additional important groundwater terms and definitions are included in the Groundwater Information Center’s Groundwater Glossary.
DID YOU KNOW?
The State’s well-numbering system is based on a rectangular system called the “United States System of Surveying the Public Lands,” commonly referred to as the “Public Lands Survey,” established
by the Continental Congress in 1784. Find more information about California Well Standards, Completion Reports, and more at http://water.ca.gov/groundwater/wells/index.cfm
Click here to view all posted announcements.
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