Page 33 - Yucaipa Sustainable Groundwater Management Agency - Yucaipa SGMA

DWR Sustainable Groundwater Management Program | BMP Framework December 2016

Introduction to Best Management Practices
Chapter 7 of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), in Water Code Section
10729(d), states that, “By January 1, 2017, the department shall publish on its internet Web site best
management practices for the sustainable management of groundwater.” Prior to the completion
of a best management practices (BMPs) document, the Department of Water Resources (DWR)
was required to adopt regulations for evaluating groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs), the
implementation of GSPs, and coordination agreements by June 1, 2016 (GSP Regulations), and
Alternatives.

“Best management practice” refers to a practice, or
combination of practices, that are designed to achieve
sustainable groundwater management and have been
determined to be technologically and economically
effective, practicable, and based on best available science.
–GSP Regulations §351(h)

The GSP Regulations adopted in May 2016 are part of the California Code of Regulations in Title 23,
Division 2, Chapter 1.5, Subchapter 2. The GSP Regulations address BMPs in Section 352.2 (Monitor-
ing Protocols) and Section 352.4 (Data and Reporting Standards). Other than BMPs addressing
monitoring protocols and monitoring sites, SGMA and the GSP Regulations provide no direction or
limitation with respect to what type of BMPs or additional guidance should be developed to assist
groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) with making sustainable groundwater management
decisions.

Best Management Practices Development Process

BMP Webpage
DWR established a BMP Webpage at http://water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/bmps.cfm where BMPs
are posted and where Draft BMPs were accessible during the public comment period.

Topic Selection
DWR prepared a BMP survey (Survey) and invited the public and groundwater stakeholders to
participate. The Survey was posted on the BMP Webpage. DWR compiled and reviewed the Survey
results and considered this information in developing the list of BMPs and Guidance Documents for
completion by January 1, 2017. Figure 1 provides a record of relative survey participation.

1