(a)
The department or a groundwater sustainability agency may provide technical assistance to entities that extract or use groundwater to promote water conservation and protect groundwater resources.
(b)
The department may provide technical assistance to any groundwater sustainability agency in response to that agency’s request for assistance in the development and implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan. The department shall use its best efforts to provide the requested assistance.
(c)
The department shall prepare and publish a report by December 31, 2016, on its Internet Web site that presents the department’s best estimate,
based on available information, of water available for replenishment of groundwater in the state.
(d)
(1)By January 1, 2017, the department shall publish on its Internet Web site best management practices for the sustainable management of groundwater.
(2)
The department shall develop the best management practices through a public process involving one public meeting conducted at a location in northern California, one public meeting conducted at a location in the San Joaquin Valley, one public meeting conducted at a location in southern California, and one public meeting of the California Water Commission.