SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: News for March 15

From the Department of Water Resources, Sustainable Groundwater Management Program:

Reminder: GSAs Required to Submit GSP Initial Notification Information

This is a reminder that the DWR SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System is now live. Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are required to submit all applicable GSP initial notification information to DWR using the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System. The SGMA Portal can be accessed using the following URL: http://sgma.water.ca.gov/portal/#gsp.

Once an Initial Notification has been submitted, and changes need to be made, the SGMA Portal – GSP Initial Notification System allows edits to be made from the GSA’s login account, including the ability to withdraw a submittal.

In addition to submitting a GSP initial notification, this is also a reminder that “If the geographic area to be covered by the plan includes a public water system regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, the groundwater sustainability agency shall provide the written statement to the commission.” See Water Code § 10727.8.

If you have questions about initial notifications, please contact the Regional Coordinators in DWR’s four Regional Offices or DWR Headquarters in Sacramento:

On January 19, 2018, DWR held a webinar featuring the GSP Initial Notification System. The recording of the webinar as well as presentation materials are available online.

A Frequently Asked Questions reference is available to inform GSAs about the GSP initial notification requirements, as described in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and GSP Regulations.

Instructions on how to comment on submitted GSP Initial Notifications can be found here. And check out the GSP Initial Notification Map Viewer here.

Find more information at https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/SGMA-Groundwater-Management/Groundwater-Sustainability-Plans


Save the Date – Spring Assistance Workshops

DWR is planning to host Assistance Workshops in late April. Workshops will be held in Northern, Central, and Southern California. A workshop will also be hosted via webinar. Workshops will include information on Groundwater Sustainability Plan development, planning assistance, technical assistance, financial assistance and more. Mark your calendars for the last week of April – more details to follow!


Data and Tools Feature: California Well Completion Report Map Application & the Online System for Well Completion Reports

Well Completion Report Map Application

The Well Completion Report Map Application provides direct statewide access to copies of Well Completion Reports. Well Completion Reports contain information collected by drillers during the drilling and construction of water wells, including the location, dates of construction, planned use, depth of the well, subsurface geologic units encountered, well construction, and well yield. California Water Code Section 13752 allows for the release of copies of well completion reports to governmental agencies and to the public. They are available online at no charge via a web mapping application here: Well Completion Report Map Application

If you are unable to find reports of interest using this application, Department staff can process your request, but a fee may be charged as provided by the law. If you are interested in requesting well completion reports instead of using the free online access, please fill out and submit a Well Completion Report Request Form.

Online System for Well Completion Reports

When a well is constructed, modified or destroyed, drilling licensed C-57 contractors are required to submit a Well Completion Report. Contractors can submit reports through our Online System for Well Completion Reports (OSWCR). An OSWCR Well Driller Guide is also available online.

Contacts:

Eric Senter | (916) 651-9648 | Eric.Senter@water.ca.gov

Ben Brezing | (916) 651-9291 | Ben.Brezing@water.ca.gov


Reminder: Alternative Submittals – First Annual Reports Deadline – April 1, 2018

The SGMA established a process for local agencies to develop an Alternative in lieu of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for evaluation by DWR. An Alternative is required to be submitted to DWR for review no later than January 1, 2017 and every 5 years thereafter. The first annual report submittal deadline is April 1, 2018.

DWR has developed an online Alternative Reporting System that allows local agencies to submit Alternatives and the public to review and comment on the Alternatives. For more information on requirements and evaluation criteria please visit https://www.water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-Management/SGMA-Groundwater-Management/Groundwater-Sustainability-Plans and reference the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Regulations.

Contact:

Tim Godwin | (916) 651-9223 | Timothy.Godwin@water.ca.gov


It’s National Groundwater Awareness Week – Test. Tend. Treat ~ March 11 – March 17, 2018

Sponsored by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA) this year’s National Groundwater Awareness Week is underway. The week is an annual observance established to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater. The event is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance to prevent waterborne illnesses. Established in 1999, National Groundwater Awareness Week provides an opportunity for people to learn about the importance of the resource and how it impacts lives.

NGWA has made available, in downloadable format, information such as a social media toolkit, facts about groundwater, Event FAQs, videos and more. For more information, please visit the National Groundwater Awareness Week website.

Follow DWR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and repost in support of National Groundwater Awareness Week!


Upcoming Events

GRA’s Annual Legislative Symposium ~ Replenishing California’s Thirsty Aquifers
March 21, 2018
Sacramento, California

The Groundwater Resources Association of California in cooperation with the California Groundwater Coalition are hosting the annual legislative symposium. After suffering the four driest years on record followed by the second wettest year on record, groundwater managers are struggling to find long term solutions to recharge California’s thirsty aquifers. Managed aquifer recharge is an essential component to meet SGMA sustainability goals, but questions remain where will the water come from and at what cost?  Join GRA as they explore answers to these and other key questions at this action-packed day in the State Capitol!

For questions, contact Rosanna Carvacho at 916-594-9700 or email GSetoudeh@bhfs.com or contact Sarah Kline at (916) 446-3626 or email skline@grac.org.

California Water Policy Conference ~ Water We Gonna Do?
March 22 – 23, 2018 at the UC Davis Conference Center

27th annual California Water Policy Conference, taking place in Davis, California, on March 22-23, 2018. This year’s theme “Water You Gonna Do?” will bring together water leaders representing agricultural, environmental, urban, environmental justice, government, and private sector constituencies and perspectives, as well as interested individuals from the general public, to tackle the Golden State’s water supply challenges. DWR Director Karla Nemeth will be a featured speaker.

Find more information at http://www.cawaterpolicy.org/

California Water and Environmental Modeling Forum – 24th Annual Meeting
Monday, April 2 – Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Lake Natoma Inn, Folsom, California

Highlights of the 2018 Annual Meeting include sessions on a wide variety of topics including mercury and wildfire modeling, multi-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling, temperature modeling, integrated water resources modeling, flood modeling, climate change, machine learning, remote sensing, California Water Plan Update, SGMA, DSM2, C2VSim, CalSim II and 3.0, CalLite, MODFLOW-OWHM, and more. Click here to view/download the Annual Meeting Program.


DID YOU KNOW?

More than 9 million Californians – nearly one in four – rely solely on groundwater to meet their needs, including people in disadvantaged communities struggling to get clean drinking water.

 

Click here to view all posted announcements.

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