In September 2014 Governor Jerry Brown signed a trio of bills establishing a framework for statewide regulation of California’s underground water sources, marking the first time in the state’s history that groundwater will be managed on a large scale. This class provides a policy-level overview of the three bills (SB 1168 instructs local agencies to create management plans;  AB 1739 establishes when the state can intervene; and SB 1319 postpones state action in certain situations) and what counties should be considering. Participants explore who is affected, the implications of the laws on local agencies, and the state process for adopting regulations. Discussions highlight policy options for counties and a timeframe within which counties should act. Counties and local water entities have until 2017 to establish a groundwater sustainability agency. The class will examine considerations counties should evaluate in reviewing options and developing policies.  Several case examples demonstrate authority and decision-making options for counties. Get your questions answered on this landmark approach for managing California’s groundwater.

Instructors: Assemblymember Roger Dickinson; Supervisor Vito Chiesa, Stanislaus County and CSAC President; Tina Canon-Leahy, Consultant to the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee; Gordon Burns, Undersecretary, CalEPA: Kate Williams, California Water Foundation; Tim Quinn, Executive Director, Association of California Water Agencies; Paul Gosselin, Director, Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation; and Jeff Pratt, Director, Ventura County Department of Public Works.