Presented by:

Professor Mike Young
The University of Adelaide

Building upon existing groundwater rights, the framework for a groundwater “sharing” system will be presented in this webinar. The system to be presented draws upon global experience. Robustness is a signature feature. It includes a register that makes it possible to transfer and mortgage groundwater “shares” at low cost. Each share defines its holder’s entitlement to a proportional stake of all the groundwater that can be taken from “their” zone.

Volumetric allocations are made in proportion to the number of shares and are recorded in “bank-like” water accounts. The allocation strategy is designed to minimise disruption and maximize opportunities for regional development.  At the start of the transition to the new system, users are given an allocation buffer so that they have time to adjust.

Using a mock-up of a plan that could be submitted for SGMA compliance, this GRACast will work through the key components of a possible approach.  The proposed system incentivizes innovation, stimulates investment, and facilitates low cost adjustment to changes in groundwater demand.

*Early Registration (June 22) is $75 for Members* and $100 for Non-Members*
*Registration after June 22 is $100 for Members* and $125 for Non-Members*

SPEAKER BIO:

Professor Mike Young holds a Research Chair in Environmental and Water Policy at the University of Adelaide. One of the publicly acknowledged architects of Australia’s water entitlement and allocation systems, he was the Founding Executive Director of the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute, is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. Mike is a member of the Global Water Partnership’s Technical Committee and recently spent a year at Harvard University working on transformational policy reform opportunities.  Mike’s work in California is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Water Foundation.

MODERATOR BIO:

John Lambie PE, PG, CWRE is a principal hydrogeologist with E-PUR, LLC, a water resource consultancy. John conducts water supply planning with an emphasis on groundwater and conjunctive water use options. He regularly applies his expertise in hydrogeologic modeling, wellfield exploration and design, and many other forms of quantitative analysis. John has experience in evaluating managed aquifer recharge options using surface waters to ensure water-supplies against quantity and quality risks.