Page 136 - Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency - Yucaipa SGMA

BBM and GSA Formation for Cuyama Valley and San Antonio Creek Groundwater Basins

Client: SBCWA
Dates: 2015–2016
Key Dudek Staff: Jill Weinberger, Jane Gray, Jeff Kubran
Reference: Fray Crease, Water Agency Manager, 805.568.3440, fcrease@cosbpw.net

Dudek assisted the SBCWA with the BBM and formation of
GSAs in the two medium-priority groundwater basins in the
county. To meet the March 2016 deadline for BBM
applications, Dudek initiated stakeholder outreach in
December 2015, and held two public meetings on January
12 (San Antonio) and 13 (Cuyama), 2016. After completing
both BBM applications, Dudek facilitated GSA formation
discussions and filed for GSA formation in both San Antonio
and Cuyama.

Additionally, Dudek reached out to the DWR early in the BBM
process to secure the well completion reports necessary to inform future decision-making and to
open channels of communication regarding the rapidly evolving SGMA guidelines. Dudek
hydrogeologists conducted a literature review of existing studies for both basin boundaries to fulfill
the technical information requirements for a Scientific Boundary Modification and to identify data
gaps and goals for the GSP development process. Dudek prepared a successful application for the
County of Santa Barbara under DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Planning Grant program and will
continue to monitor, track, and prepare applications on behalf of the county for SGMA compliance
and groundwater basin benefit.

Dudek provided extensive engagement and facilitation services for the formation of GSAs for the
Cuyama and San Antonio Groundwater Basins. The engagement entailed public outreach to
communities, some of which had language, cultural and economic barriers to overcome. The GSA
facilitation for both GSAs was an 18-month process working with all eligible local agencies,
agricultural interests, and the public to form new governmental agencies for the judicious
apportioning of groundwater in a collaborative and sustainable manner. The process culminated in
the successful formation of the GSAs and an Advisory Group for one of the GSAs. The public aspects
of the outreach were addressed differently in each of the basin areas and entailed coordination with
NGOs, the University of Santa Barbara and the local Resource Conservation District.

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Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency - August 9, 2018 - Page 134 of 208