Updates from the Department of Water Resources’ Sustainable Groundwater Management Office.
NEW Joint DWR-State Water Board General SGMA Webinar on Groundwater Sustainability Planning
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board will host a virtual General Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Webinar on groundwater sustainability planning. This interactive webinar session will include an update on how the State is moving forward with groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) evaluations, the timeline and approach to releasing assessments for GSPs submitted to DWR by January 31, 2020, and an overview of state assistance to support locals moving forward with SGMA implementation.
General SGMA Webinar
- Thursday, February 18, 2021
- 10:30 a.m. to noon
- Register in advance.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email and instructions for joining the webinar.
For questions, please email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
NEW SGMA Water Year Type Dataset Now Available
The SGMA Water Year Type Dataset is now available to assist GSAs in developing GSP water budgets. A development report summarizing the process and analysis is also available.
In the dataset, the water years are labeled as wet, above normal, below normal, dry, or critical based on the amount of precipitation during that water year and the previous one. The information is available for all California watersheds except those underlying the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Hydrologic Regions since that information is already available. Use of the dataset is optional and GSAs can develop their own to better represent local water management considerations.
For questions or more information, email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
NEW How to Report Domestic Wells Going Dry
Individuals served by domestic wells who are experiencing a water supply shortage are encouraged to report it to DWR’s online Household Water Supply Shortage Reporting System.
This will help inform state and local agencies on water shortage impacts to households served by wells, and will help identify the need for local, state, or federal assistance. Individuals interested in financial assistance will be directed to appropriate resources.
To report a water supply shortage, go to the MyDryWaterSupply webpage, and click the “Submit Report” button. The form is also available in Spanish by clicking “Enviar Reporte.”
For more information, email sgmps@water.ca.gov.
NEW Department of Conservation Awards SGMA Watershed Coordinator Grants
The California Department of Conservation recently awarded $1.5 million in SGMA Watershed Coordinator Grants. Several local agencies and non-profit groups received up to $300,000 each for watershed coordinators that will build broad coalitions of government, stakeholders, and communities to develop plans and projects to improve watershed health and meet California’s groundwater sustainability goals.
For questions or comments, email wcp@conservation.ca.gov or call (916) 324-0850.
REMINDER Free Water Quality Testing for Domestic Well Owners
The U.S. Geological Survey is sampling domestic well water in the Modesto, Turlock, and Merced area. Volunteer well owners who participate in the study will receive a free chemical analysis of their well water.
To learn more, visit their website or contact Jen Shelton at jshelton@usgs.gov or (916) 278-3068.
REMINDER Written Translation Services Available
DWR’s written translation service is available to help with communication to non-English speaking constituents. Translation services for materials are available in Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Applicants can submit up to 5,000 words per basin/subbasin.
For details, visit the Written Translation tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.
REMINDER Public Meetings Can Be Held Remotely During Pandemic
Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 encourages elected officials to conduct public meetings by teleconference or other electronic venue during the pandemic. The order temporarily waives requirements in the Bagley-Keene Act and Brown Act as long as specific requirements are met. The order applies to GSAs and others involved in the implementation of SGMA.
In response to the sustainable groundwater management community’s interest in guidance, resources, and examples on how to conduct public meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, DWR developed Tips and Tactics for Online Meetings.
REMINDER Submit Your GSP Initial Notification
Before starting a GSP, agencies are required to notify DWR in writing using the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System. The portal allows edits to be made to previously submitted Initial Notifications, including the ability to withdraw a submittal.
For more information, contact the regional coordinators in DWR’s four Regional Offices. For assistance with the system, email Monica.Reis@water.ca.gov.
Connect with Your Basin Point of Contact
DWR has designated basin points of contact to assist local agencies as they develop and implement their plans and to assist with applications for Technical Support Services and Facilitation Support Services.
For regional inquiries, contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.
For general inquiries, contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.
