Over $500K awarded to the Water Institute at Fresno State
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A $569,000 grant was awarded to the California Water Institute’s Research and Education Division at Fresno State for a project that addresses drought and flooding by planning for sustainable use of surface groundwater, officials announced on Wednesday.
Officials say the grant was awarded by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. The project, “Climate Resiliency through Regional Water Recharge in the San Joaquin Valley,” will educate rural communities on groundwater recharge and establish a collaborative response team, as well as a plan for effective floodwater management, ensuring vulnerable communities are prioritized.
“Climate problems happen by regions and watershed. Therefore, we believe solutions should also be regional in nature — which is why we proposed this project,” said Laura Ramos, interim director of the California Water Institute’s Research and Education Division. “We are very excited to work on a comprehensive solution for the region.”
State leaders unveiled a $21.7 million funding initiative in the inaugural round of California’s Regional Resilience Grant, part of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program. According to officials, the grant aims to fortify climate change resilience at a regional level, focusing on addressing a range of climate-related challenges, including wildfires, floods, droughts, and more.
The California Water Institute’s Research and Education Division at Fresno State will partner with Self-Help Enterprises, North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency for this project.
“We look forward to working with our partners in the region to create a solution that takes advantage of flood waters to recharge our aquifers, as well as educate community members about the benefits of groundwater recharge in the Valley,” Ramos said.
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