by Peter Kavounas (Chino Basin Watermaster General Manage)

In addition, the speaker is available to meet on the same day during the following time slots. Please email Mehdi Nemati to sign up for a thirty-minute meeting slot with the speaker via: mehdi.nemati@ucr.edu

• 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
• 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
• 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Seminar Summary:

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) adopted by the California Legislature in 2014 defined the parameters of “good” groundwater management in California. Long before the SGMA passage, forward-looking water managers and engineers in the Chino Basin created the Optimum Basin Management Program (OBMP).

The groundwater rights within Chino Basin were adjudicated in 1978, by agreement of stakeholders to assign pumping rights. The OBMP was developed in 1998 to preserve and maximize the beneficial use of the Basin resources, identifying parameters beyond safe yield, such as land subsidence, water quality, water supply reliability, and water storage, among others. The OBMP called for a systematic approach to data collection, which had not existed for the first 20 years of the adjudication. The available data has helped create computer simulations of the basin and conduct detailed studies, resulting in a thorough understanding of the Basin water system. Implementation of the OBMP has created innovative salt and nutrient management, subsidence management, groundwater-dependent ecosystem management, along with the ability to protect the safe yield of the basin.

Implementation of the OBMP over the years has required adjustments, and the plan is currently being updated to recognize the parties’ accomplishments over the past 20 years and present needs that did not exist in the past.

Bio:

Peter Kavounas has served as the General Manager of Chino Basin Watermaster since 2012. Mr. Kavounas has over 30 years of experience and has worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as the Eastern Sierra Environmental Issues Manager and for the City of Glendale’s Water and Power Department as the Assistant General Manager-Water Services. Mr. Kavounas was elected to the Castaic Lake Water Agency Board of Directors in 1998 and served for fifteen years holding various positions including the office of Board President.

Mr. Kavounas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Engineering-Structural from UC Berkeley, and a Master of Science-Water Resources from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of Leadership Southern California Class XII and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of California.