From DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program:
Save the Date – SGMA Assistance Workshops
*Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Ventura workshop time has changed. The workshop will now be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
You are invited to attend DWR hosted workshops to discuss Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation efforts, DWR planning and technical assistance, and key components of Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) development. Several new tools and data will be showcased. DWR is holding workshops in Northern, Central, and Southern California as well as webcast.
Attending the in-person workshops is a great opportunity to meet DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program staff from Sacramento and Region Offices and provide feedback regarding SGMA implementation efforts. We want to hear from you!
Workshops will feature brief presentations and information booths on:
- Groundwater Sustainability Plan development
- Sustainable Management Criteria
- Assistance and engagement information
- Guidance, data, and tool overviews
Workshops dates and times are:
April 23, 2018 – Chico Masonic Family Center
1110 W East Avenue, Chico, CA 95926
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.April 24, 2018 – Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District
808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.April 25, 2018 – Saticoy Operations Yard
11251-A Riverbank Drive, Ventura, CA 93004
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.April 27, 2018 – Online Webcast
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sgma-assistance-workshops-tickets-44561329135
For questions or special accommodations, please contact Lauren Bisnett at (916) 653-7564 or by email at Lauren.Bisnett@water.ca.gov .
$85.8 Million in Grants for Local Implementation of SGMA Finalized
On April 4, 2018, DWR announced the awarding of $85.8 million in grants for groundwater sustainability projects that directly benefit severely disadvantaged communities. The final grants also fund the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) by local agencies. The list of awards and submitted applications can be found here .
DWR received 78 applications in response to the 2017 Sustainable Groundwater Planning (SGWP) grant solicitation with a total request of $86.4 million . DWR is announcing full awards to 77 applicants and a partial award to one applicant. The final awards are consistent with the draft recommendations, announced on Feb. 6, 2018 . The competitive grants are funded by Proposition 1 passed by California voters in 2014 .
Of the $85.8 million awarded:
- $16.2 million will support groundwater sustainability planning and management benefitting severely disadvantaged communities.
- $69.6 million will support GSP development by groundwater sustainability agencies. Of this amount, $3.4 million is being tentatively awarded to three applicants that submitted an alternative plan to DWR in 2017. If the alternative plans are subsequently approved by DWR, the tentative awards would be withdrawn since applicants with approved alternative plans are ineligible for this funding.
The funding provides a means for local communities to create long-term sustainable groundwater management plans as required by law that help protect basins and t heir beneficial uses. Ultimately these plans are intended to facilitate basin-wide and regional sustainability. DWR will begin working with the grant applicants to develop and execute grant agreements.
More information about the Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant Program can be found here .
Subscribe to SGWP’s mailing list to make sure you receive the most up to date information from the Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant Program.
Connect with Your Basin Point-of-Contact
DWR has designated Basin Points-of-Contact to assist local agencies and Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) as GSPs are developed and implemented. To determine your Basin Point-of-Contact, please see the following links that provide maps and contact information regarding each groundwater basin:
For regional inquiries, please contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov and for general inquiries, please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.
Stakeholder Communication and Engagement Feature: Facilitation Support Services
DWR offers Facilitation Support Services (FSS) to help local agencies work through challenging water management situations. Under SGMA, GSAs must encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic interests. Facilitation Support Services provide the help of professional facilitators to foster discussions among diverse water management interests and local agencies and includes services such as:
- Identification and engagement of interested parties
- Meeting facilitation
- Interest-based negotiation/consensus building
- Public outreach facilitation
GSAs developing GSPs or other groups coordinating with GSAs in developing GSPs are eligible to apply for this service if they meet all the following obligations:
- Agree to work in an open, inclusive, and collaborative manner toward the development of a GSP.
- Support an inclusive process that seeks, promotes, encourages, and welcomes the involvement of all interested parties.
- Commit to meet regularly and work diligently toward a clear and defined goal.
- Commit to providing a meeting space that is suitably located and sized.
Access the online application here .
Applications for Facilitation Support Services will be evaluated on a continuous basis as funding allows. For more information or help starting a FSS application, contact DWR’s regional office coordinators at sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov .
Data and Tools Feature: Modeling Tools
DWR makes available integrated hydrologic modeling codes and applications for regional-scale groundwater analysis. In many cases, the applications described below can be used as the foundation for local-scale analysis suitable for developing information for GSPs. Use of the model applications for local-scale analysis should only be done after understanding the limitations and assumptions of the applications. Applications available include:
- C2VSim Coarse Grid, Version R3742 –CSVSim is an integrated numerical model that simulates water movement through the linked land surface, groundwater and surface water flow systems in California’s Central Valley using the Integrated Water Flow Model (IWFM) modeling platform.
- C2SVSim Fine Grid, Version R374g –Early release of fine-grid model available. Submit a Model Request Form here or provide feedback here .
For more information on the modeling tools available, please review the Modeling Tools Factsheet and visit the website at https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Data-and-Tools
For SGMA Technical Assistance, contact Steven Springhorn at Steven.Springhorn@water.ca.gov .
For SGMP Modeling information contact Tyler Hatch at Tyler.Hatch@water.ca.gov .
For IWFM and/or C2VSim Support contact Tariq Kadir at IWFMtechsupport@water.ca.gov .
Upcoming Events
Paleo Drought Workshop
April 19, 2018
DoubleTree by Hilton-Madeo Ballroom – San Pedro, CaliforniaThis workshop is intended to help Southern California water agencies and others who want to gain information about improving drought preparedness and updating Urban Water Management Plans. The workshop is sponsored by DWR and the Water Education Foundation. Find more information here .
Sustainable Water Resources Roundtable: Restoration and Management for Sustainability
May 3-4, 2018
Sonoma County Water Agency – Westside Water Education CenterThe Roundtable will include panel presentations by DWR on the California Water Plan Update 2018, Partnerships on Atmospheric Rivers, Drought, and Flood in the Russian River Watershed, Partnerships on Sustainable Groundwater Management, and Innovation and Technology for Water. Find more information and register here .
First Annual Groundwater Sustainability Summit
June 6-June 7, 2018
Hilton Sacramento Arden WestDWR is a cooperating agency in the Groundwater Resources Association’s First Annual GSA Summit that will serve as a forum for GSA members to network and connect on technical and policy issues to address SGMA compliance. Find more information and register here .
DID YOU KNOW?
Up to two million California residents are served either by the estimated 250,000 to 600,000 private domestic wells or by water systems serving fewer than 15 service connections.
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