In 2020, 47 Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) were submitted to address Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements in 22 basins across California. Numerous other GSPs are in development that will be submitted by January 31st, 2022.
Preparation, adoption and submittal of these GSPs represents a significant achievement by the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) involved. However, the reality is that the GSP submission milestone, while significant, only represents the beginning of SGMA implementation and the achievement of groundwater sustainability. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will complete its formal review of the 2020 GSPs by the end of January 2022, formally assessing which GSPs are “Approved” and which are “Incomplete”. To date, DWR has found more than half of the basin’s GSPs to be incomplete with identified deficiencies.
This talk will present lessons regarding the transition between GSP development and implementation, as well as discuss the implications of DWR’s findings on the future of groundwater sustainability planning in California.
About Our Speaker
Anona L. Dutton, PG, CHg is Vice President and Director of Water Resources at EKI Environment & Water Inc (EKI). Ms. Dutton has over twenty years of professional experience managing water resources projects. She has managed multi-million-dollar efforts to secure reliable water supplies for water agencies and developers, including leading the technical efforts to minimize the water footprint of new and existing development, assessing groundwater and surface water supply yields, securing water transfer options, and evaluating the feasibility of developing new water supply sources such as recycled water, desalination water, and other non-potable sources.
Her work to support public sector clients has included Water Supply Assessments, Water System Master Plans, Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs), and Water Conservation Plans. Ms. Dutton is also deeply involved in implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) throughout the State, including provision of strategic and technical support for Groundwater Sustainability Agency formation and administration, basin boundary adjustments, Groundwater Sustainability Plan development and implementation, and securing grant funding.
Ms. Dutton did her undergraduate and graduate work at Stanford University and is a registered Geologist and Hydrogeologist in the State of California.
Registration
Registration for this event is free for AWWEE members + up to two guests. Non-member registration is $20.