|
As part of DWR's technical assistance to GSAs, other water managers, and the public, DWR actively maintains the SGMA Data Viewer. The SGMA Data Viewer is an interactive mapping tool that provides access to groundwater related datasets that are organized by the requirements of SGMA and the GSP Regulations for the purpose of supporting GSP development and implementation. Recent improvements to the Viewer include the addition of GSP Monitoring and Annual Report Data, Statewide Crop Mapping data for 2020, updated Subsidence information, U.S. Geological Survey CVHM2 texture data, as well as new reference layers including legislative districts, Assessor's Parcels, and major Rivers and Creeks. New functionality includes improved access to site-specific groundwater level and subsidence data.
On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom signed Drought Executive Order N-7-22, in response to a third year of record drought conditions in California. Action 13 of Drought Executive Order N-7-22 includes the suspension of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), under specified circumstances, for eligible groundwater recharge projects that mitigate drought impacts on groundwater conditions that take place on open or working lands.
DWR developed a Fact Sheet to describe the intent and requirements of Action 13, as well as a process for local agencies to submit a Self-Certification Form requesting DWR to review the eligibility of their groundwater recharge projects for CEQA suspension. For the projects receiving DWR concurrence, DWR will notify the local agencies and list eligible recharge projects on the DWR Drought Webpage.
The materials and information are posted on DWR’s Drought Webpage, under the ‘CEQA Suspension for Recharge Projects’ accordion dropdown: https://water.ca.gov/water-basics/drought.
Please submit additional questions regarding Action 13 of the Executive Order to: sgmps@water.ca.gov.
Dry Domestic Well Susceptibility Tool
DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, developed an interactive mapping tool, called the Dry Well Susceptibility Tool. This tool identifies areas within groundwater basins throughout the State that may be prone to water supply shortages in drinking water wells. Susceptibility is identified based on recent groundwater level measurements and potential 5-year water level decline.
The Dry Well Susceptibility Tool is housed on the California's Groundwater Live web-based platform, which contains the latest information and data on groundwater conditions across the state. State and local agencies and well owners can use this tool to anticipate where wells may go dry based on historical conditions to inform drought preparedness decision-making. To use this tool, navigate to California’s Groundwater Live website and click the Dry Domestic Well Susceptibility tab. A fact sheet on this tool, as well as DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System, is available here.
Dry Well Reporting Public Outreach Templates
To support counties and local agencies with their outreach and communication with well owners regarding dry well emergency assistance, DWR developed public outreach material templates that are available for download, local customization, and immediate use.
- The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley developed outreach materials for the following ten counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Los Angeles Counties.
- For all remaining counties, DWR developed a downloadable outreach template with instructions for counties and local agencies to customize the template, proactively outreach, and communicate with well owners on how to report dry wells and receive emergency water supply assistance. This template is available for download in the following additional languages:
These materials can also be found by clicking the Resources button on DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System website, under the Public Outreach Materials section.
'Be Well Prepared' Flyer
DWR released a flyer that provides four initial steps to take if a well owner thinks their well has gone dry. These flyers are available for download, at the links below in the following languages:
As Step 4 of the flyer suggests, please feel free to pass this information on to neighbors, family, and friends that may live in a household with a well or may be experiencing dry well conditions. Additional resources for well owners can be found on the Be Well Prepared website.
Please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov with any questions. To find more information about the State’s Drought Response and Assistance, please visit drought.ca.gov.
DWR’s written translation service is available to help local agencies with communication to non-English speaking constituents. Translation services for materials are available in Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Laotian, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Applicants can submit written translation requests for up to 5,000 words per basin/subbasin.
For details, visit the Written Translation tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.
DWR’s Facilitation Support Services (FSS) program is available to help local agencies work through challenging water management situations. This service provides the help of professional facilitators to foster discussions among diverse water management interests and local agencies when developing and implementing GSPs.
Additionally, DWR has developed an interactive map tool, showing basins where the FSS program has been provided (shown as 'closed' services) and is currently being provided (shown as 'active').
The FSS interactive map tool and more information about the FSS program can be found on the Facilitation Support tab on the Assistance and Engagement webpage.
DWR has designated basin points of contact (POC) to assist local agencies as they develop and implement their groundwater sustainability plans and to assist with applications for Technical Support Services and Facilitation Support Services. Find your DWR Region Office POC at the links below:
Northern Region
North Central Region
South Central Region
Southern Region
For regional inquiries, contact sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.
For general inquiries, contact sgmps@water.ca.gov.
Maven’s Notebook’s Groundwater Exchange is a central, collaborative, and publicly accessible online resource center connecting water managers, water users, and community members with tools and resources to support the development and implementation of GSPs. While not a DWR website, DWR representatives have been on the Exchange’s Advisory Board since its inception as it supports the sharing of information and resources for SGMA implementation.
|
