Summer 1992

Groundwater Resources Associaton of California

A New Organization for Scientists, Engineers, and Other Professionals Interested in Groundwater Resources, Assessment, Development, Quality, Education, and Management

Groundwater resources of California are a vital factor in the future development of the state. During periods of normal precipitation, about 40% of the water used within the state is derived from groundwater. During the current drought, groundwater is providing over 60% of the water used in the state. Increasing population coupled with the greater difficulty in developing additional surface water sources will heighten the demand on the state's groundwater resources.

A group of scientists, engineers, and other professionals in California is developing a state-wide professional organization that will focus on the technical aspects of the state's groundwater resources assessment, development, quality, education, and management. This organization, the Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA), is being formed by former officers of the Technical Branch of the California Groundwater Association (CGA).

By 1991, it was recognized that the needs and interests of the Technical members were not being adequately met by the structure, principal goals and objectives of CGA. As a result, the Groundwater Resources Association of California is being developed to address the wide range of interests and needs of scientists, engineers and others interested in the state's groundwater resources and their development and management.

Recognizing that gorundwater protection includes the identification, assessment and remediation of contaminated properties, GRA also will focus on the technical and legal aspects of property site assessments and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater; therefore, membership by professionals working in these or related fields is strongly encouraged.

GRA will represent all parts of the state with branches located in the Southern, San Francisco Bay, Northern, and the South San Joaquin Valley areas of the state and with branches planned in the North Coast, North-Central, North San Joaquin Valley, South Lahontan, and Central Coast areas.

Presented below are the objectives and planned activities for GRA:

Promote professional development of scientists, engineers, and others involved in the investigation and management of groundwater resources, including site assessment, groundwater quality evaluation, protection and remediation;
Help formulate state-wide policy on the development and management of the state's groundwater resources, the protection of groundwater quality, the remediation of soil and groundwater, and the performance of environmental site assessments;
Disseminate scientific and technical information among GRA members and provide such information to planners, legislators, managers, regulators, contractors, and others who influence the development and application of policies and regulations concerning groundwater resources development, evaluation, management, and protection;
Promote the development of scientific educational programs that are devoted to the understanding and implementation of groundwater management and protection;
Facilitate the development of standards, research and techniques to advance groundwater resources investigation and management to enhance protection of California's groundwater resources;
Encourage cooperation among groundwater professionals, regulators, administrators, contractors and suppliers locally, state-wide, and nationally.
Develop a pro-active role with legislators as a credible and knowledgeable authority on technical groundwater issues.

Activities of the association will include monthly-bimonthly dinner meetings, local and state-wide educational seminars on current developments in groundwater investigation, development, management, and site assessment, and the publishing of a monthly (initially quarterly) newsletter covering the activities of the organization and other information of interest to the members.

Draft bylaws and an initial dues structure have been developed; state-wide and branch officers will be elected during the first quarter of 1992. Initially, the dues will be $50 per year and will be used to support the activities of the organization and its development. A charter membership rate is available; individuals who join prior to March 15, 1992, will pay only $40 for the first year's dues.

If you are interested in the future of California's groundwater resources and believe that you can benefit from membership in the Groundwater Resources Association of California, please fill out and return with your dues the attached membership application. Those interested in helping to develop this organization should contact:

Vicki Kretsinger, Coordinator, Organizing Committee
Groundwater Resources Association of California
P.O. Box 355
Davis, CA 95617-0355
(916) 661-0109, FAX (916) 661-6806.