Assistance and Engagement

Our Technical Support Services (TSS) supports Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) as they develop and implement their Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). TSS’s goal is to provide education, data, and tools to GSAs at both regional and statewide scales to build the capacity needed to achieve sustainability. TSS is available to GSAs through our Region Offices or contractors pending funding availability. Critically overdrafted basins have initial priority for this funding.

Technical Support Services Offered:   

Field Activities

• Monitoring Well Installation
• Geophysical Logging
• Geologic Logging
• Groundwater Level Monitoring Training
• Borehole Video Logging
• Other Field Activities

Modeling and Mapping

• Modeling Training and Support (pending DWR updated model release)

Who is Eligible?

GSAs developing  and implementing GSPs are eligible to apply for this service if they meet all of the following obligations:

• Agree to share any data generated from the technical support service(s) with DWR and the public.
• Comply with all applicable laws related to the technical support service(s).
• Agree to work in an open, inclusive, and collaborative manner toward the development and implementation of a GSP, including appointing a coordinator for the basin to represent all GSAs within the basin or subbasin, resolve disputes, and speak as one voice to DWR (not required to be the “Point-of-Contact” for Coordination Agreements as used in 23 CCR §357.4 (b) (1) of the GSP Emergency Regulations, or the “Plan manager” as used in 23 CCR §351 (z), 353.4 (b), and §354.6 (c)).
• Agree to complete GSA’s volunteered responsibilities related to requested technical support service(s) within the defined timeframe.
• Support DWR staff or contractors that are providing technical support service(s)

How to Apply: 

Applications for TSS will be evaluated on a continuous basis as funding allows. The application process is two-part - a General Application and Individual Service Requests - and must be submitted through an online application system made available to the applicant following consultation with their local DWR Region Office. PDF and Microsoft Word copies of the General Application and Service Requests are provided as a resource to help applicants prepare for applying.

For more information or help starting a TSS application, contact DWR’s Region Coordinators at sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov

Facilitation Support Services (FSS) help local agencies work through challenging water management situations. Under SGMA, groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) shall encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic interests and consider all beneficial uses and users of groundwater when developing and implementing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs). Sometimes GSAs need the help of professional facilitators to foster discussions among diverse water management interests and local agencies.

Services Offered through DWR-funded Professional Facilitators:

• Stakeholder assessments
• Governance development
• Stakeholder communication and engagement planning and support
• Public outreach
• Targeted outreach to underrepresented groundwater users
• Tribal government outreach and engagement
• Identification and engagement of interested parties
• Meeting facilitation
• Intra-basin and inter-basin coordination support
• Interest-based negotiation/consensus building

Who is Eligible?

GSAs developing or implementing GSPs, other groups coordinating with the GSAs in developing and implementing GSPs, and agencies implementing approved Alternatives to GSPs are eligible to apply for this service if they meet all of the following obligations:

• Agree to work in an open, inclusive, and collaborative manner to implement SGMA.
• Support an inclusive process that seeks, promotes, encourages, and welcomes the involvement of all interested parties.
• Commit to meet regularly and work diligently toward a clear and defined goal.
• Commit to providing a meeting space that is suitably located and sized.

Applications for FSS will be evaluated on a continuous basis as funding allows.

Facilitation Support Services Application

For more information or help starting an application, contact DWR’s Regional Coordinators at sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.

Under SGMA, groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) shall encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic interests and consider all beneficial uses and users of groundwater when developing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs). DWR’s Written Translation Service is available to help GSAs, or other groups assisting in local SGMA implementation efforts, to communicate the groundwater planning activities with their non-English speaking constituents.

GSAs, or other groups, may submit written notices, letters, forms, presentations, fact sheets, pamphlets, leaflets, and brochures to DWR for translation into one or more of the following languages:

• Chinese
• Hmong
• Korean
• Laotian
• Punjabi
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

Service Limitations:

• Currently, requests are limited to 1,500 words per groundwater basin/subbasin. DWR may change the word count limitation as needed, based on remaining contract capacity.
• Eligible groundwater basins/subbasins are those required to prepare a GSP per CWC §10720.7.
• Written translation will be provided electronically as unformatted text. Graphic design and formatting are not provided by DWR’s Written Translation Services.
• Requests will take a few weeks to fulfill; additional time will be needed if the service provider requires additional information.
• DWR does not review, take responsibility for, or endorse the content submitted for written translation.
• Although DWR’s service provider will take care to provide appropriate and meaningful translation; accuracy is not guaranteed.

How to Apply:

• DWR will receive requests for written translation using an online application form.
• Applicants will be required to upload the unformatted text requested for translation as a Microsoft Word file.
• A PDF example of the final document can also be uploaded if it will provide context to the service provider. For example, if the final product includes graphics with explanatory text, it may be helpful for the service provider to have the graphics as a reference.

Requests will be evaluated and fulfilled as received, on a continuous basis, as contract capacity allows.

Written Translation Services Application

For more information or help starting an application, contact DWR’s Region Office Coordinators at sgmp_rc@water.ca.gov.