Putting Policy into Practice · The GDE Framework process is designed integrate with the GSP...

$: Putting Policy into Practice · The GDE Framework process is designed integrate with the GSP process.\爀屲Outside ring are required GSP elements. Inside is the \െramework process.\爀屲In$
Putting Policy into PracticeAchiev ing Susta inable Groundwater Management for People and

Nature

Jo int Meet ing of Upper and Lower Santa C lara River Watershed IRWM Groups

November 1, 2017

E.J. RemsonSenior Program Manager

CALIFORNIA WATER [email protected]

Presenter

Presentation Notes

SGMA requires Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) for the first time in Calif. Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) will be responsible for preparing these plans. I am going to focus on one part of the planning process that relates to Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs). Most stakeholders have little understanding of groundwater systems and many GSA’s may have little understanding of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDE’s) and how to address them in their GSPs. TNC has been working to address these questions. That is what I am going to talk about.

To conserve the lands and water on which all life depends

OUR MISSION:

Presenter

Presentation Notes

TNC’s mission. It is why we are involved in water planning.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act “SGMA”

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Sept 2014 Gov. signed SGMA established a framework for sustainable, local groundwater management. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and bring basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge. Must avoid 6 undesirable results.

Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems “GDEs”

Ecological communities or species that depend on groundwater emerging from aquifers or on groundwater occurring near the ground surface.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

SGMA requires that all beneficial uses and users be considered in the development and implementation of Plans, and GDEs are one type of beneficial user of groundwater. GDEs specifically called out for identification in the plan. This is an important area for conservation stakeholders to engage in the process because it deals directly with habitat and species.

Wetlands Loss in California

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Unfortunately California has a very poor record of protecting its wetlands. Worst record in the USA. Only 5-9% left. We need to protect the wetlands that remain. A well prepared GSP will help protect GDEs

SANTA CLARA RIVER

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Ground water plans will play an important role in the health of the GDEs on the Santa Clara River So it is important to get involved with the GSP process.

BENEATH THE SURFACE

Groundwater levels

GRAPH GOES HERE

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This is a very basic depiction of GW and how recharge from a water body and pumping can change the water level.

Groundwater Depth and Vegetation Health

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Nor

mal

ized

Diff

eren

ce V

eget

atio

n In

dex

(ND

VI)

Dep

th t

o G

roun

dwat

er (

feet

)

Depth to Groundwater Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem NDVI

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This is a hydrograph showing the groundwater level in the West Piru Basin over time. Notice how the water level dropped severely during the recent drought.

SANTA CLARA RIVER

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This is a photo of the same location taken early this year. Prior to the drought the area was a healthy mature riparian habitat. Now the trees are dead. This is something that can be addressed in a GSP.

GROUNDWATER RESOURCE HUB

Case Studies

Data & Research

GDE Guidance Framework

Statewide Potential GDE Map

Educational Resources

Coming January 2018…

GroundwaterResourceHub.org

Presenter

Presentation Notes

How does one address GDEs in groundwater planning? TNC is developing several resources to assist GSA’s in preparing plans that adequately address GDE’s and to help stakeholders understand how GDEs can be incorporated in the planning process.

GDE GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK: WHAT’S IN IT?

STEP-BY-STEP TECHNICAL GUIDANCE

• Integrates best available science

• Core concepts adopted from Australia, EU, S. Africa, other U.S. states

• Takes advantage of local and statewide information to inform local decision making

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The GDE Framework process is designed integrate with the GSP process. Outside ring are required GSP elements. Inside is the Framework process. In each step shows you were and how to integrate the GDE information into your GSP.

GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK

Step 1. Identify GDEs

Step 2. Determine Potential

Effects on GDEs

Step 3. Establish

Sustainability Criteria

Step 4. Incorporate GDEs into Monitoring

Networks

Step 5. Identify Projects & Management

Actions

Presenter

Presentation Notes

1st step is to identify potential GDE’s in your basin. .

STATEWIDE MAPPOTENTIAL GROUNDWATER DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEMS

(VERSION 0.4)

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Will have a downloadable map showing the location of potential GDEs.

STEP 1 | FOX CANYON CASE STUDY

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The downloaded potential GDE information must be ground truthed to ID GDEs that are accessing want in a “principal” aquifer

GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK



Effects on GDEs

Step 3. Establish



Networks


Actions

POTENTIAL EFFECTS (RISKS)

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Here we want to determine what the future potential risks are to the GDEs that have been identified.

STEP 2.1

Hydrological Data to Assess Potential Effects on GDEs

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Hydrographs show how we might predict the future risk to GDEs.

STEP 2.2

Select Biological Data to Evaluate Potential Effects on GDEs

1. Rooting Depth

0

10

20

30

40

50Max

Roo

ting

Dep

th (F

eet)

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Rooting depths can inform GDE – GW level related risk

STEP 2.2


1. Rooting Depth2. On-site & Aerial Photography

June 2009

May 2015

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Aerial photos shows this GDE is probably at a higher risk.

STEP 2.2


1. Rooting Depth2. On-site & Aerial Photography3. Remote Sensing Indexes

LandsatNDVI - Changes in Vegetative Growth

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Remote sensing is now available that can also help evaluate risks to GDEs.

STEP 2.2


1. Rooting Depth2. On-site & Aerial Photography3. Remote Sensing Indexes4. Field Data

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We will use this risk assessment in later steps in the process.

GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK



Effects on GDEs

Step 3. Establish



Networks


Actions

Enhance GDEMaintain GDE

STEP 3.1 | Set the Sustainability Goal

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We now know where GDEs exist and how groundwater conditions are impacting them. This step provides agencies with some guiding questions that can help set sustainability goals, minimum thresholds and measurable objectives for GDEs so they can be sustainably managed. GSAs will set goals. May want to maintain or enhance current conditions.

STEP 3.2 | Set Minimum Thresholds for Sust. Indicators

Presenter

Presentation Notes

GDE sustainability goals should have minimum thresholds established under one or more of these sustainability indicators to avoid adverse impacts. The others generally will not impact GDEs.

STEP 3.3 | Establish Measurable Objectives & 5-yr Milestones

Presenter

Presentation Notes

20 years are allowed to achieve sustainability. But 5 year milestones need to be established to make sure sustainability will be achieved. This case GSA has decided on a goal to enhance the GDE condition.

GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK



Effects on GDEs

Step 3. Establish



Networks


Actions

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Once the sustainability criteria are set they need to be incorporated into the monitoring process to ensure the goal will be met.

STEP 4| Incorporate GDEs in Monitoring Networks

Species Specific

Monitoring

Biological surveys

Remote Sensing, NDVI, Google Earth

Photos, Monitoring Wells

High Risk

Medium Risk

Low Risk

Presenter

Presentation Notes

In the last step we establish monitoring objectives for the GDEs. Back in step 2 we assessed the potential risks and impacts of groundwater conditions on GDEs. The level of monitoring to meet the objectives should consider the risk to the GDE. GSAs should apply their monitoring resources where the risk is the highest. Low risk = less intense monitoring (e.g. monitoring wells. Photos) High risk = more intense monitoring. (e.g. on site bio monitoring)

GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK



Effects on GDEs

Step 3. Establish



Networks


Actions

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Identify projects and management actions that will be required to meet the 5-year measurable objectives and sustainability goals established in previous steps. This step describes potential actions beneficial to GDEs, as well as to other uses of groundwater.

STEP 5 | Projects & Management

RechargeConservation/

Restoration

Presenter

Presentation Notes

There are many potential projects that might increase water supply or reduce water use. Multi benefit recharge projects could increase supply. Removing certain nonnative plants from the river could reduce water loss. IRWM committees may be a good forum to address project funding, facilitate multi benefit projects.

THANK YOU!

E.J. [email protected]

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Hopefully you will use our groundwater planning information (Guidance Framework) and find it helpful in your planning work!

Putting Policy into Practice · The GDE Framework process is designed integrate with the GSP...

Documents

Transcript of Putting Policy into Practice · The GDE Framework process is designed integrate with the GSP...