In our search for surviving an historic drought, we can look to the Kings River Conservation District (KRCD) for “achieving multiple benefits across resource and development to respond to California’s increasing water management challenges,” according to a new study from the respected Ag Innovations Network (AIN). KRCD partners with the Kings Basin Water Authority and aligns a diverse group of local nonprofits to create joint priorities and projects for Integrated Regional Water Management on a watershed scale, say the AIN authors, who include executives from federal and state water agencies, irrigation districts, academia and environmental organizations. KRCD’s leading-edge work connects headwaters, surface water, groundwater, stormwater, storage, recharge and aquifer monitoring / data analytics. One proposal meriting immediate action: Recognize groundwater recharge as a public benefit. “Studying the Kings Basin region reveals opportunities for improved connectivity in groundwater planning and management throughout California for the benefit of agriculture, the public and the environment,” says the report. In additional to technical leadership, AIN commends the district for a broad stakeholder outreach, which includes 11 of the 13 groups cited in the Water Code. Well worth reading and incorporating:
http://aginnovations.org/afa_uploads/Kings_Basin_Report.pdf
And kudos to Dave Orth, the general manager of KRCD, who is being feted this week as an outstanding leader in the water world by his peers at the Association of CA Water Agencies. He serves on the ACWA board of directors and its executive committee. Beyond his service to KRCD and ACWA, he played an absolutely key role in the development of what ultimately became the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”) enacted into law last year. Congratulations, Dave!
(KRCD is a client of The Gualco Group, Inc.)