California Department of Water Resources

The meeting focused on key collaborative initiatives, including defining roles and responsibilities and establishing drought indicators and metrics. Discussions centered on the importance of community preparedness for potential drought cycles, managing groundwater resources through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and coordinating water data and planning efforts across state agencies. Participants also reviewed the goals for the upcoming year, which include the development and publication of white papers on the identified focus areas.

The board meeting agenda included an award presentation, a public forum, and consideration of several key items. These items included the adoption of amendments to the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook, the adoption of guidelines for administering Proposition 4 funding to address water quality in rivers crossing the Mexico-United States border, and the consideration of a resolution to deny requests for exclusion from reporting and fees for groundwater sustainability agencies in the Tule Subbasin. Additionally, the meeting featured an informational report from board members and a closed session regarding water rights and Delta water management projects.

The meeting includes an informational item on current hydrologic conditions and response. Under the Office of Sustainable Groundwater Management, the Board will consider proposed resolutions regarding the return of the Delta-Mendota Groundwater Subbasin to the Department of Water Resources and the adoption of exclusions for small pumpers in the Tule and Tulare Lake Subbasins from probationary reporting requirements. Additional informational items cover updates on the Recycled Water Research Program and a discussion on yearly Board priorities. The meeting also involves Board member reports and an executive director's report, as well as closed sessions concerning various water right change petitions and applications.

The California Water Plan 2028 is an updated state water plan, launched by the Department of Water Resources, focusing on building water resilience in response to climate change. Guided by Senate Bill 72, the plan establishes targets for long-term water supplies. Its core components include analyzing water use and supply data, setting specific supply targets, and outlining actions to achieve them. The plan emphasizes diversifying water sources through initiatives like recycled water, efficient usage, and advanced technologies such as desalination, while also integrating watershed-scale management and groundwater regulation. A key objective is to identify and address systemic barriers to ensure an affordable and climate-resilient water supply for California.

The meeting focused on the implementation of the Subsidence Best Management Practice (BMP). Key discussion topics included the fundamentals of subsidence, the concept of critical head and its calculation methods, the importance of raising groundwater levels to limit residual subsidence, and various monitoring techniques including survey monuments, GPS stations, and INSAR data. The session also addressed management scenarios, infrastructure impact assessment, the importance of inter-basin and GSA coordination, and a summary of public comments received during the draft phase.