From the Department of Water Resources Sustainable Groundwater Management Program:
Basin Boundary Modifications Submission Period Extended to September
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has extended the Basin Boundary Modifications submission period to September 28, 2018, in response to comments received on the Draft 2018 SGMA Basin Prioritization. The extension will allow additional opportunity for local agencies to consider basin boundary modifications that support and promote sustainable groundwater management.
This extension affects the timeline for finalizing both Basin Boundary Modifications and Final 2018 SGMA Basin Prioritization. The schedule for Basin Prioritization has been updated accordingly.
Additional information is available on the Basin Boundary Modifications webpage. All information to support basin boundary modifications must be submitted on the Basin Boundary Modifications Request System. For more information, contact Dane Mathis at dane.mathis@water.ca.gov or (559) 230-3354.
- Basin Boundary Modifications submission period: Extended to September 28, 2018.
- Draft 2018 Basin Boundary Modifications: Release expected in November 2018.
- Final 2018 Basin Boundary Modifications: Release expected in February 2019.
Basin Prioritization Schedule Update
The schedule for Basin Prioritization was updated in response to comments received and as a result of the Basin Boundary Modifications submission period extension. Please be reminded that until the prioritization list is finalized, the 2014 CASGEM Basin Prioritization continues to define SGMA priority basins.
- Draft 2018 SGMA Basin Prioritization public comment period: Extended to August 20, 2018.
- Basins not affected by modification requests: Final 2018 Basin Prioritization release expected in November 2018.
- Basins affected by modification requests:
- Draft 2018 Basin Prioritization release expected in February 2019.
- Draft release will be followed by a 30-day public comment period.
- Final 2018 Basin Prioritization release expected in May 2019.
During the public comment period, DWR seeks additional data or information that is consistent with the statewide datasets identified in the Basin Prioritization Process and Results Document. Basin prioritization datasets are available online.
Please visit the public comment webpage to submit comments, data, or information. Comments submitted and information uploaded in support of comments will be posted and visible to the public on DWR’s webpage for Draft 2018 Basin Prioritization Public Comments.
Frequently Asked Questions: The 2018 SGMA Basin Prioritization Frequently Asked Questions have been updated.
Flood-Managed Aquifer Recharge White Paper Released
The Department of Water Resources has released two documents detailing flood-managed aquifer recharge (Flood-MAR). A Flood-MAR white paper evaluates the potential of using flood water on farmland and other working landscapes to help recharge groundwater supplies. The DRAFT Research and Data Development Framework identifies ways to advance Flood-MAR and has also been released for public comment. Comments are due by September 20, 2018. Read the DWR Update to learn more.
Spanish Translation of SGMA Documents Now Available
Spanish translations of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Emergency Regulations Guide and Stakeholder Communication and Engagement guidance document are now available online.
Recorded Webinar Available
The recording of the 2018 SGMA Basin Prioritization Webinar held on May 30, 2018, is available online.
Connect with Your Basin Point-of-Contact
DWR has designated Basin Points-of-Contact to assist local agencies and GSAs as GSPs are developed and implemented and to assist with applications for Technical Support Services and Facilitation Support Services. To determine your Basin Point-of-Contact, please see the following links that provide maps and contact information:
For regional inquiries, please contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.
For general inquiries, please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.