November 3, Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Watershed Council will be this Thursday, November 3rd from 9am to 11:00am, at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N.Ventura Ave, Ventura CA 93001.

Agenda highlights: We have a full agenda with an update on the Ventura River Flow Requirements, State Water Project deliveries, Disadvantaged Community engagement and groundwater management planning in the Ojai basin. We will also discuss proposed updates to the charter, changes in the council’s role and staffing.

Here is the agenda.
Comments Due This Month: DRAFT Best Management Practices & Draft Guidance Documents Now Available Online

The State Department of Water Resources (DWR) has elected to publish two categories of information that can assist Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) with developing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). DWR has developed draft Best Management Practices (BMPs) and draft Guidance Documents addressing the sustainable management of groundwater – all available information can be downloaded here: http://water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/bmps.cfm.
BMPs are intended to provide clarification, guidance, and examples to help GSAs develop the essential elements of a GSP. Draft BMP topics include the following:

• BMP 1: Monitoring Protocols, Standards, and Sites
• BMP 2: Monitoring Networks and Identification of Data Gaps
• BMP 3: Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model
• BMP 4: Water Budget
• BMP 5: Modeling

Guidance Documents provide suggestions, with supporting graphics, for developing certain GSP components where no establish practice in the water management industry exists. Draft Guidance Documents include the following:

• Preparation Checklist for GSP Submittal
• GSP Annotated Outline
• Establishing Sustainable Management Criteria (in development)
• Engagement with Tribal Governments (in development)
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communications (in development)

The comment period for BMPs will take place between October 28, 2016, and November 28, 2016. There are several options to provide comments to DWR including:

• At a Public Meeting – Via Comment Card
• Via Email – to sgmps@water.ca.gov

Mail to – California Department of Water Resources, Attn: Lauren Bisnett, Public Affairs, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236