GROUNDWATER UPDATE:

Louie Brown, David Kahn & Lauren Noland-HajikKahn, Soares & Conway, LLP

October 7, 2015

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SGMA Legislation

AB 453(Bigelow)

AB 617 (Perea)

AB 647 (Eggman)

AB 1242 (Gray)

SB 13(Pavley)

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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Basin Boundary Regulations

Source: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/pdfs/Draft_Basin_Boundary_Regulations_July_CWC_Presentation.pdf

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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Basin Boundary Regulations

Two types of basin boundary modifications:

Scientific ‐ Based on Geologic or Hydrologic Conditions that Define the Basin

Jurisdictional ‐ Promote the Adoption and Implementation of Effective Sustainable Management Plans and Enhance Local Management of Groundwater

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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Basin Boundary Regulations

On January 1, 2016, DWR will open its 90 day window to accept basin boundary modification requests:

Instructions to Local Agencies on Submittal of: Information demonstrating proposed basin can be sustainably

managed Technical information on boundaries and conditions in proposed

basin Consultation with interested local agencies and public water

systems in the affected basins Other information DWR deems necessary to justify revision

Methodology and Criteria on how to assess: Likelihood proposed basin can be sustainably managed Whether proposed basin would limit the SGM of adjacent basins Whether there is a history of SGM of groundwater levels in the

proposed basin

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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Basin Boundary Regulations

Draft Basin Boundary Fact Sheet: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/pdfs/Draft_Basin_Boundary_Emergency_Regulations_Techncial_FactSheet.pdf

DWR Basin Boundary Information: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/basin_boundaries.cfm

Groundwater Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, October 7, 2015

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SGMA DWR Requirements

• June 1, 2016: DWR to develop guidelines for GSP evaluation and implementation

• Adopting regulations for evaluating and implementing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and coordination agreements;

• Identifying water available for groundwater replenishment; and

• Publishing best management practices for the sustainable management of groundwater

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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DWR GSP Regulations

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http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/gsp.cfm

Legislative Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, September 17, 2015

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DWR GSP Regulations

GSP Regulation Process and Topic Papers: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/gsp.cfm

Regional Office Contact: http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/resources/rc_finder.cfm

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What to Expect in 2016

DWR SGMA Regulation comment period beginning in January

Legislation or Regulations: Subsidence Flood Protection Recharge of Groundwater Aquifers

More cleanup legislation?

Groundwater Update, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, October 7, 2015