Two forums will focus on groundwater issues

The drought may or may not be over, but concerns remain regarding Stanislaus County’s water supply. Two free public events will focus on water issues next week.

Monday, the Stanislaus Water Coalition will focus on “Saving our Groundwater in 2015.” County Supervisors Bill O’Brien and Terry Withrow and Stanislaus’ Water Resource Manager Walt Ward will talk about the county’s new groundwater ordinance.

The upcoming formation of a groundwater management agency will be discussed, including how it might be financed and what enforcement powers it may have.

The coalition’s meeting will start at 10 a.m. in the Bianchi Community Center Conference Room, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale.

On Jan. 16 in Modesto will be the daylong Stanislaus County Water Summit 2015. Water-related special districts and cities from throughout the county, along with environmental and agricultural groups, will participate.

Discussion topics will include the water outlook for 2015, water resource management concerns and sustainable groundwater practices required by a recently enacted state law.

Breakout groups representing a mix of urban, agricultural and environmental interests will discuss that new law’s goals and how groundwater sustainability agencies will have to be formed.

The summit will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center’s Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto.

The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau will sell lunch for $10.

Reservations for the summit are requested by filling out the online form at http://goo.gl/G62jd3. The deadline is today. For more information, call Stanislaus’ Department of Environmental Resources at (209) 525-6700.

This story was originally published January 8, 2015 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Two forums will focus on groundwater issues."