Relative to Groundwater Awareness Week.
The resolution aims to promote active management and conservation of groundwater resources, aligning with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) passed in 2014. SGMA established a framework for local management of groundwater resources, with agencies across the state developing sustainability plans. This local management structure is deemed crucial for sustaining California's water supply and ensuring that all residents have access to adequate, safe, clean, and affordable water for various uses, including consumption and agriculture.
House Resolution No. 75, introduced by Assembly Member Soria, recognizes and declares March 10, 2024, through March 16, 2024, as Groundwater Awareness Week in California. The resolution highlights the vital role groundwater plays as a natural resource, essential to both urban and rural California residents, and acknowledges that approximately 83 percent of Californians depend on groundwater for part of their water supply. The resolution is part of a broader effort to raise public awareness of groundwater management, particularly as climate change contributes to reduced snowpack and water availability in California's streams and rivers.
While the resolution is largely uncontentious, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges related to groundwater management in the context of increasing water demand and climate change effects. Some stakeholders may have concerns regarding water rights and accessibility, particularly among communities heavily reliant on groundwater. Overall, the resolution acts as a call to action for proactive leadership in addressing groundwater resource management, inviting collaboration among officials, sustainability agencies, and communities across California.