Groundwater Concept Paper Hearing, Jan. 22, Sacramento

NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP: GROUNDWATER CONCEPT PAPER
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.Joe Serna Jr. – Cal/EPA Headquarters Building Coastal Hearing Room 1001 I Street, Second Floor Sacramento, CA 95814

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold a public workshop to consider public input on a discussion draft Groundwater Concept Paper at the time and location noted above. This will be an informational workshop only and no State Water Board action will be taken.

BACKGROUND
On October 8, 2013, the State Water Board released for public review a discussion draft groundwater concept paper. The draft concept paper is intended to serve as a starting point to identify and prioritize groundwater protection actions that the Water Boards will carry out over the next five years. The purpose is to ensure that the Water Boards effectively use their authorities and resources to address the State’s most pressing groundwater challenges, and to complement and support groundwater management efforts occurring at the local level.
The concept paper proposes a framework for current groundwater protection efforts of the Water Boards and other entities, and suggests potential future actions that the Water Boards and others could pursue to promote effective groundwater management that supports beneficial uses over the long-term given the growing pressures of population growth, land use, demands on water supply, drought, and climate change impacts.
The State Water Board held stakeholder listening sessions during October, November, and December 2013 and solicited written comments on the draft concept paper. Written comments were due by December 18, 2013.

AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS
The discussion draft groundwater concept paper, and the comments received by the written comment deadline, may be viewed and downloaded from the State Water Board’s website at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/groundwater/workplan.shtml.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
At this workshop, invited panelists will give presentations on fundamental groundwater issues, followed by public comments and discussion on the draft concept paper. The State Water Board is interested in receiving public input on the relevance of the draft concept paper’s proposed framework, and existing and potential future groundwater management actions. In particular, the State Water
Board is interested in following up on the written comments received, including questions such as the following:
1.    How should local and regional entities be held accountable for implementing effective groundwater planning and management, and what criteria should be used to determine if local management is sufficient?
2.    What tools are needed for local and regional entities to develop and implement effective groundwater management, and what additional authorities, if any, are needed at the local and regional level?
3.    Should State actions focus on unmanaged basins, or both managed and unmanaged basins?

4.    What are the effective governance models that should be pursued, and what approaches
could be taken to coordinate groundwater management among multiple jurisdictions that
overly a single basin, or where no local or regional groundwater management entity exists? 5.    How can the connection between surface water and groundwater be addressed in establishing
thresholds, as well as in monitoring and governance? 6.    What actions should the State Water Board carry out to best take advantage of the drinking
water program reorganization?

To ensure a productive and efficient workshop, participants with common comments are encouraged to coordinate and provide oral comments as a group. For those wishing to organize and present comments as a group, please contact Gail Linck by January 16, 2013 at (916) 341-5285 to ensure that adequate time is allotted. So that all commenters have an opportunity to participate, presentations and questions may be time-limited.

PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY
There is a parking garage across from the Joe Serna Jr. Cal/EPA Headquarters Building with entrances on 10th and 11th Streets between “I” and “J” Streets, and metered parking spaces are in the vicinity of the building. For directions, more parking information, and a map, please go to: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/EPAbldg/location.htm.
All visitors to the Cal/EPA Building are required to sign in and receive a badge at the Visitor Services Center located just inside the main entrance, to the left. Valid picture identification may be required. Please allow up to 15 minutes for receiving clearance before proceeding to the 2nd floor.

The Cal/EPA Building is accessible to persons with disabilities. Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact Michele Villados, at (916) 341-5881, at least five working days prior to the meeting date. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may contact us by using the California Relay Service Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): TDD to voice (800) 735-2929; voice to TDD (800) 735-2922.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please direct questions about this notice to Gail Linck at (916) 341-5285 or gail.linck@waterboards.ca.gov, or to Eric Oppenheimer at (916) 445-5960 or eric.oppenheimer@waterboards.ca.gov.