The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency, formed in 2017 to comply with California’s new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, will hold the third and final seminar in its three-part educational series, “Managing Groundwater: How Can We Prepare for an Uncertain Future?” The event will be held March 9 at Felton Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The education series, which began in January, aims to engage and inform all people who rely on the water supply from the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin is the major water source for communities in the San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, the City of Santa Cruz and unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.
The March forum will include an-depth discussion between the public and groundwater agency managers on myths and misconceptions about how groundwater is managed in the Santa Margarita Basin, a comprehensive presentation about climate change and its implications to the groundwater basin and a stimulating small group exercise in long-range Water Management Scenario Planning. There also will be presentations and discussions about historic, current and potential future integrated water management options for the basin and its residents.
Education series topics have included water supply, land development and population growth, groundwater and surface water management, and climate change.
The seminars are free to attend. Preregistration is encouraged. Visit tinyurl.com/smgwaeducation to sign up. Felton Community Hall is at 6191 Hwy. 9, Felton.
Review presentations made during past Educational Series seminars at https://smgwa.org/meetings/understanding-our-water-educational-series.
ABOUT SANTA MARGARITA GROUNDWATER AGENCY
The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency (SMGWA) is a joint powers authority comprised of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Scotts Valley Water District and the County of Santa Cruz, to oversee the groundwater management activities in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin in Santa Cruz County, California. The agency was established in 2017. The Board of Directors of the SMGWA includes two board members from each of the member agencies, one from the City of Scotts Valley, one from the City of Santa Cruz, one from the Mount Hermon Association Community Water System and two well owner representatives. Learn more at www.smgwa.org or on Facebook.