Open house public meeting A presentation and discussion about a project documenting water use by the Mesquite Bosque near Borrego Springs to inform management and sustainability of the basin's aquifer. Speakers: The University of California, Irvine; Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy; and San Diego Natural History Museum Research Team The 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) stipulates that groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) be considered in Groundwater Sustainability Plans. GDEs are bio-diversity hotspots that sustain desert species ranging far beyond the extent of native mesquite trees. The initial groundwater plan for the Borrego Subbasin did not include GDEs in the water budget, but perhaps should have. We will present preliminary findings regarding the possible presence of GDEs and explain our research approach. There will be demos of our research techniques, opportunities to talk with the research team, a forum for questions, plus opportunities to get involved with the science.

Approved