Testimony on California Groundwater Protection

Overview

Pursuant to Senate Bill 4 (2013, Pavley), the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required to revisit its definition of protected groundwater by 2020. PSE Executive Director Seth Shonkoff was invited to brief the SWRCB on the importance of protecting groundwater resources during oil and gas development. The presentation focused on the need to establish and maintain criteria that protects groundwater resources at least equivalent to the standards and definitions of underground sources of drinking water (USDW) under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.