The Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Solutions (CVSALTS) small group, including CIPA, is working with hydrogeology consultants to create Salt Management Areas.
Like the existing Nitrate Management Areas, the salinity counterparts will be organized and supported by local discharger coalitions, including CIPA members, to permanently mitigate and remediate salt discharges and groundwater salinity levels.
The coalitions may be operational as early as January of 2025. At the small group meeting last week, we continued to develop an initial salinity level groundwater guidance for use in the two pilot study areas. The first, Delta-Mendota, is now underway; the second is to be determined.
The group is also developing salinity discharge management best practices and scenarios. A significant part of the discussions focuses on agricultural issues, as salinity levels impact irrigation groundwater.
As it relates to research and work in areas like crop impact, CIPA is directing the group and consultants to first use data from UC Division of Ag & Natural Resources and state agencies like the State Water Board and the Department of Water Resources, which have done extensive research.
For more information, contact Bob Gore or Sean Wallentine.
