Over the past six months, the Program on Water in the West brought together a thoughtful and creative group of groundwater agencies, managers, and researchers for a series of Uncommon Dialogues focused on Best Management Practices (BMPs) in groundwater. Following closely on the heals of the publication of "Uncommon Innovation: Developments in Groundwater Management Planning in California", these dialogues explored the various ways that California's groundwater community is already implementing strategies to maintain sustainable water supplies and protect groundwater dependent ecosystems. The BMPs identified are not specific to one agency nor are they a complete representation of all practices currently employed; they are however a compilation of some of the most important and identifiable practices shared throughout California.  Goals, active stakeholder involvement, public education, collection and analysis of information, monitoring management results, adaption of a diverse portfolio of strategies and effective implementation were some of the practices identified.  They also discussed barriers to implementation of BMPs as well as ways to expand their adoption.  We have summarized these conversations into a Solutions Brief,  so that those unable to attend these meetings can benefit from their conclusions. 

Last modified Tue, 24 Apr, 2012 at 15:47

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

With the start of the New Year comes the beginning of a new endeavor.  After 15 years with American Rivers, serving most recently as Senior Vice President for Conservation, I am pleased to embark on a new venture as Executive Director for Water in the West at Stanford University.  A joint venture between the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Bill Lane Center for the American West,  Water in the West engages in strategically designed research, dialogues, and policy initiatives to develop and demonstrate solutions to the major water challenges facing the western U.S.   

Last modified Thu, 12 Jan, 2012 at 16:37