Second Senate Groundwater Hearing Held this Month

This week, the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee held a legislative hearing on groundwater. The Committee heard from various experts on groundwater challenges, focusing on difficulties and successes in managing the resource. This was the second hearing on groundwater this month. 

The hearing began with a presentation by Richard Frank, a professor of environmental practice and Director of the California Law & Policy Center at UC Davis School of Law. Mr. Frank provided an overview of California groundwater law.

Gary Bardini, Deputy Director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), informed the committee that in April DWR plans to release a list prioritizing the groundwater basins in the state.

Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), said that the comprehensive approach to water management outlined in the Brown Administration’s California Water Action Plan (CWAP) will help preserve groundwater resources.

Other speakers at the hearing included Jay Jasperse of the Sonoma County Water Agency, Lynn Maulhardt of the United Water Conservation District & Fox Canyon, Sarge Green of California Water Institute (CSU Fresno), and Andrew Fahlund of the California Water Foundation.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at 916.447.4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.