The Sacramento Branch is pleased to present:

Can California successfully integrate groundwater and surface water under SGMA?

 

Kevin O'Brien
Senior Partner
Downey Brand LLP

PRESENTATION:

Historically, California has treated surface water and groundwater under separate and distinct legal regimes.  The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) takes an initial step toward integrating the administration of rights to surface water and groundwater.  Under SGMA, an “undesirable result” may occur where groundwater conditions cause depletions of interconnected surface water that have “significant and unreasonable adverse impacts on beneficial uses of surface water” (referred to in this presentation as the “Impact Test”).  First, I will explore the practical challenges inherent in determining whether the Impact Test has been met in a given physical setting.  Second, I will examine the tools that Groundwater Sustainability Agencies have available under SGMA to address situations in which the Impact Test has been met.  Finally, I will discuss my thesis that court involvement in the resolution of disputes between groundwater pumpers and surface water users is likely, particularly in overdrafted basins.      

SPEAKER BIO:

Kevin O'Brien is a senior partner with Downey Brand LLP in Sacramento.  A former chair of the firm’s Water Practice Group, Mr. O’Brien represents public and private sector clients in a broad range of water-related matters including water transfers, groundwater matters, Endangered Species Act issues and water rights litigation.  Prior to entering private practice, Mr. O’Brien served as an Honors Program Attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.  He is a former chair of the American Bar Association’s Water Resources Committee (Section on Natural Resources and Environmental Law) and he has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California Real Property Law Section.  He is a member of the Legal Affairs and State Legislative Committees of the Association of California Water Agencies.  Mr. O’Brien received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, and his law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. 

SCHOLASTIC SPONSOR:

 

 

 

About Cascade:

Cascade is a national, full service company offering innovation solutions for every step of your project from environmental and geotechnical drilling to advanced site characterization and both in situ and ex situ remediation applications. Our diverse portfolio of environmental, investigation and remediation services are evidence of our ability to complete even the most challenging projects on time and on budget. Our vision is to integrate technology, safety, sustainability and human potential to tackle the challenging environmental and geotechnical issues facing our clients. Cascade has become more than an environmental drilling contractor. Today, as Cascade Environmental, we provide a full range of environmental investigation, sonic drilling and remediation services and technologies including:

  • Technical examination and collaborative problem solving to address subsurface contamination and related challenges
  • Project management including safety and performance evaluation, monitoring and reporting
  • Development of plans to remediate contamination
  • Subsurface sampling and analysis of water and soil to identify contaminants
  • Locating and marking placement of underground utility pipes, cable or wire
  • Management of investigation derived waste

 

ANNOUNCING SCHOLASTIC SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

All Proceeds to Benefit Science Students

The GRA Sacramento Branch has a history of supporting university-level science students. Our Scholastic Sponsorship Program is an opportunity to publicize your business while contributing toward a good cause. The cost is minimal; if interested, please contact Michael Bombard at (916) 514-4458 or michael.bombard@GHD.com.

 

AGENDA:

Social Hour - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Announcements & Dinner - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Presentation - 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Usual great food, including two meat entrées, salad, rice, potatoes, vegetable and Iced Tea. A No-host beer and wine bar will be available.

 

MEETING COSTS and RSVP:

EARLY BIRD MEETING COSTS:

Members: $27.00
Non-Members: $32.00
Students: $10.00

Cancellations must be made by Noon on Tuesday, November 13th.

If you register after Noon on Tuesday, November 13th, or walk-in, a $3.00 surcharge will be added to the meeting cost.

If you have questions about the meeting, please telephone Rodney Fricke at 916-407-8539 or email him at rodneyafricke@gmail.com.  For questions about Sacramento Branch in general, including submittal of your ideas and/or desires for future presentations, please telephone Linda Bond at (530) 757-1500 or email her at Linda.Bond@water.ca.gov.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:

We will be holding Sacramento Branch Officers’ Elections in the next few weeks.  If you are interested in serving as an officer for the branch, please contact Linda Bond at (530) 757-1500 or Linda.Bond@water.ca.gov or Rodney Fricke at 916-407-8539 or rodneyafricke@gmail.com by Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Holiday Meeting: Thursday, December 6th: Chris Doolittle, PG, CEG, County of Santa Barbara Public Works Department, The Thomas Fire Debris Flow in Montecito, CA

 



Date and Time

Wed, Nov. 14, 2018

5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
(GMT-0700) US/Pacific

Location

Aviator's Restaurant at the Sacramento Executive Airport

6151 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
United States of America


Event has ended