The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced a local assistance program to support local public agencies seeking to meet requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR is offering in-kind facilitation support services to local public agencies to support SGMA efforts, including forming groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) and developing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs).
Facilitation support services from contracted professionals include strategic planning, stakeholder assessments, meeting facilitation, mediation, governance assessment, and public outreach services. In order to meet critical deadlines under SGMA, local agencies are encouraged to begin coordination and collaboration to form GSAs.
SGMA requires local public agencies to form GSAs by June 30, 2017, for high and medium priority groundwater basins (click here for additional information about basin prioritization). GSAs for basins subject to critical conditions of overdraft must submit GSPs to DWR by January 31, 2020. GSAs for all other groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority must submit GSPs by January 31, 2022.
For more information on GSAs and a current listing of formed GSAs please visit this website.
Requests for facilitation support services will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis, and support will vary based on need. Priority will be given to newly forming groups and groups that have not received financial support previously. The majority of available support is reserved for activities associated with forming GSAs and creating GSPs. Some additional facilitation support services are available for groups developing or implementing integrated water management plans.
For information on program eligibility and submittal requirements please visit the facilitation services webpage here.