OWENS VALLEY GROUNDWATER AUTHORITY
Members: Big Pine CSD – City of Bishop – County of Inyo – County of Mono– Indian Creek-Westridge CSD Interested Parties: Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Tribe – Owens Valley Committee
P.O. Box 337
135 Jackson Street Independence, CA 93526
Phone: (760) 878-0001 Fax: (760) 878-2552 www.OVGA.us
Contact: Aaron Steinwand, Executive Manager, OVGA 760-878-0001; asteinwand@inyocounty.us
For Immediate Release
Public input requested on elements of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Owens Valley Groundwater Basin
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014 empowers local agencies to ensure groundwater resources are managed sustainably. The Owens Valley Groundwater Authority (OVGA) was created to develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) for the Owens Valley Groundwater Basin which includes the Owens, Round, Chalfant, Hammil, and Benton Valleys as well as Fish Slough and the area around Owens Lake. The OVGA is a joint powers authority composed of Inyo County, Mono County, City of Bishop, Indian Creek- Westridge Community Service District (CSD), and Big Pine CSD as well as two interested parties, the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Tribe and the Owens Valley Committee.
Even though the Basin is not in a critically overdrafted condition and was ranked by the California Department of Water Resources as a low priority basin, the OVGA elected to develop a GSP voluntarily. The OVGA recognizes the importance of stakeholder input during preparation of the GSP and will conduct two public workshops with the assistance of staff from the Inyo-Mono Integrated Regional Water Management Program. The workshops will review SGMA and the development of proposed groundwater monitoring and sustainability goals and criteria for the Basin.
Public Workshops:
Wednesday, February 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This workshop will discuss the portion of the Basin from Round Valley to Lone Pine. Public can attend via videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87146769883?pwd=bk44dW42a1FKODJGUDFkVE5CdjB6Zz09
Tuesday, February 16, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This workshop will discuss the portion of the Basin south of Lone Pine including Owens Lake. Public can attend via videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86824163051?pwd=UVRWcURuVFR3ZE9oMFM1YWtKdWh1UT09
In order to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the OVGA will conduct this workshop exclusively online. To join by phone, refer to the numbers and webinar ID at the bottom of this announcement. To provide public comment or questions during the meeting, press the raise your hand function or *9 if joining by phone. Public input may also be submitted directly to the OVGA during the meeting to holly@inyo-monowater.org with the subject line “OVGA stakeholder outreach”. Public comment can also be submitted after the meeting by clicking the contact link on OVGA.us website. All comments will be made a part of the record for consideration by the OVGA.
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,87146769883 or +13462487799,,87146769883
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 +1 346 248 7799 +1 253 215 8782 +1 929 205 6099 +1 301 715 8592 +1 312 626 6799
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kvFjzLN —End—