Ridgecrest, CA – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has approved the award of $7.6 million in grant funds to the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) for implementation of projects to help achieve a sustainable groundwater supply for the region.
IWVGA Board Chairman Phillip Peters and Vice Chairman Scott Hayman were on hand today in Sacramento to receive the official grant award from DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This grant will allow the Groundwater Authority to initiate the project that will ultimately bring imported water to our basin and help us achieve a sustainable groundwater supply,” Peters stated. “We appreciate DWR’s support of our Groundwater Sustainability Plan and supporting projects, and we are ready to get this work done.”
On May 2, DWR announced its first round of funding to 20 agencies, including IWVGA, responsible for managing critically-overdrafted groundwater basins statewide. The grant funding is part of a 2021 state budget authorization for implementation of projects developed in accordance with the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
IWVGA’s proposed spending plan for the grant focuses on preliminary work for its Imported Water Interconnection Project, including design, permitting, environmental compliance and a study to determine the pipeline route. Earlier this year, DWR issued its approval of IWVGA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
The IWVGA is a joint powers agency comprised of the Counties of Kern, Inyo and San Bernardino, as well as the City of Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley Water District.
