What is the California Groundwater Coalition?
CGC is a 2007 education and legislative advocacy campaign of the Groundwater Resources Association of California (GRA), Association of Groundwater Agencies (AGWT) and American Ground Water Trust (AGWT). CGC was formed at the urging of California state and local elected officials who believe that increased efforts are needed to educate and inform California legislators and policy makers about California groundwater issues and the role it can play in providing a safe and reliable, sustainable water supply for California. The need for better understanding became clear in 2006 when efforts failed to place a legislative water bond on the November ballot.
What agencies and organizations are involved in the CGC?
For convenience, and to expedite the program, the three founding members of the CGC are GRA, AGWA and AGWT (Liaison Members). However, CGC’s program is also supported by many of the individual members of each of the Liaison Members as well as other individuals, agencies and business concerns that have an interest in protecting California groundwater.
What is CGC’s Mission?
CGC’s Mission is to 1) educate policy makers about groundwater; 2) represent groundwater interests and promote the benefits of comprehensive groundwater management and use in legislative and other policy arenas; and, 3) promote a fair share of funding for statewide groundwater programs, including 2006 and 2008 water bonds. The first of these objectives is purely educational; the second two objectives are to advocate for and protect groundwater interests in Sacramento.
What Principles does CGC stand for?
CGC stands for five basic Principles which recognize the value of groundwater for California, and, that
management and monitoring, new infrastructure and cleanup is needed in order to develop, protect and fully utilize the state’s groundwater resources. And, that significantly increased funding is the key to unlock this value and leverage local dollars.
Will CGC become involved in controversial issues?
No. CGC’s message and mission are strictly limited to the Mission and Principles described above. CGC will not lobby for any individual region or interest, instead, it will seek to inform and lobby for the benefit of groundwater resources generally.
What is CGC’s governance structure?
As noted above, CGC has 3 Liaison Members, each of whom is charged with the responsibility of keeping its representative organization informed and involved in CGC activities. The Liaison Members will also work directly with CGC’s Legislative Advocates, who will spearhead the day-to-day education program in Sacramento, as an extension and enhancement of GRA’s legislative program.
Will there be officers, a dues structure, operating guidelines or bylaws?
No, governance is solely through the Liaison Members and the legislative guidelines established by CGC’s adopted Mission and Principles, described above (see also the one-page summary stating the Principles in greater detail). All parties have agreed to assess the value of the 2007 CGC initiative at the end of 2007 to determine if a more permanent role should exist for CGC. At that time, further consideration will be given to governance and other long term planning issues.
Is any staff anticipated?
No. CGG is intended to be a practical response to a practical and immediate need to enhance basic education and outreach efforts in the Legislature on behalf of our groundwater resources.
How will CGC coordinate with ACWA and other state and local government agencies?
CGC expects to work cooperatively with ACWA and other lobbying organizations that are active in the Capitol. However, unlike ACWA, CGC’s sole mission and directive will be to focus on the needs of groundwater. Numerous state and local government agencies are already on board working with CGC as either sponsoring members of the advocacy program or as educational partners.
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