From the California Water Data Consortium:
Our partners at the Groundwater Demand Management Network (GDM Network) recently released an executive summary of the results from their “California Groundwater Community Needs Assessment Survey”.
Nearly 100 groundwater professionals responded, representing a diverse cross-section of the community: technical consultants, Groundwater Sustainability Agency representatives, agricultural users, domestic well owners, and nonprofit advocates. Almost 75 percent of respondents rated GDM as the most or more important issue to their groundwater basin(s). The survey results confirm the urgent need for a dedicated network and resources to support this work.
Some survey highlights include:
When asked to list the most important information needs about GDM, the top five responses were:
- Understand GDM policy implications and regulatory compliance
- Improve groundwater sustainability using a combination of GDM and recharge
- Learn about funding opportunities and economic incentives
- Connect and collaborate with other stakeholders and professionals working on GDM
- Learn best practices for GDM
When asked to list the biggest challenges experienced or expected to be experienced about GDM, the top five responses were:
- Impact on agricultural productivity and economic impacts
- Resistance and/or lack of engagement by stakeholders
- Expenses and the lack of funding to implement GDM actions
- Land use changes (i.e., fallowing, abandonment, etc.)
- Complex regulatory environment
We encourage you to take a few minutes to read the executive summary and get involved with the GDM Network.
