LIVE Online Walkthrough – Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Under the SGMA: Guidance for Preparing GSPs

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act:
Guidance for Preparing Groundwater Sustainability Plans

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014 is landmark legislation in California that empowers local agencies, known as groundwater sustainability agencies, to sustainably manage groundwater resources for current and future social, economic and environmental benefits.  In addition to balancing these multiple benefits, SGMA includes specific requirements to identify and consider impacts to groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs).  Recognizing data and resource limitations, The Nature Conservancy has developed a GDE indicators mapping database and GDE guidance document designed to help agencies identify where GDEs exist, determine whether potential effects on GDEs are occurring or may occur due to groundwater conditions, consider GDEs when setting sustainable management criteria, and monitor whether adverse impacts are occurring.  These tools provide a systematic and defensible approach that takes advantage of local, statewide, and best available scientific information to inform local decision making.

This webinar will provide an overview on how to use the GDE indicators database (hosted by the California Department of Water Resources as the “Natural Communities Commonly Associated with Groundwater dataset”) and GDE guidance document during GSP development. A case study example of how these tools were used during the development of Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency’s GSP will also be showcased.

Learn more on the Groundwater Resource Hub:  www.GroundwaterResourceHub.org

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