Department of Water Resources
Verbal Interpretation Services
Under SGMA, groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) shall encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic interests and consider all beneficial uses and users of groundwater when developing groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs). The Verbal Interpretation Services (VIS) Program was developed to make engagement equally accessible to all community members by offering GSAs and local entities simultaneous interpretation services at GSA and other local SGMA related events. Providing verbal interpretive services can assist GSAs to better engage their communities, to incorporate feedback, and capture more collective views from their basin for successful implementation of SGMA. GSAs can request interpretation support for upcoming meetings and engagement events, whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid.

For questions or assistance with this VIS Request, contact Christina Boggs-Chavira at Christina.Boggs@water.ca.gov or (916) 384-6061.
I. Verbal Interpretation Service Request: 10 Questions Total
* 1) Select the groundwater basin/subbasin needing VIS.
If this request is NOT groundwater basin/subbasin specific, please select the 'NOT GROUNDWATER BASIN/SUBBASIN SPECIFIC' option in the drop-down list below.
If the 'NOT GROUNDWATER BASIN/SUBBASIN SPECIFIC' option is selected above, please describe which groups or stakeholders
benefit from this request.
* 2) Groundwater basin/subbasin applicant information:
Applicant Name:
Point of Contact:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
* 3) Is the applicant affiliated with a GSA?
Please describe the GSA(s) or local agency(s) and the nature of the applicant's affiliation.
*4) Who is the intended audience for the meeting or event?
* 5) Are there any particular focus areas that the GSA is currently working through and getting feedback from interested parties on during public meetings? (select all that apply)
Please specify other focus areas.
*6) What language(s) does your GSA need interpretation services for?
Please list other languages needed.
(Note: There is a possibility that DWR may not be able to fulfill this request.)
*7) Which type of meeting will require interpretation services? (select all that apply)
Please specify other types of meetings.
* 8) What is the planned meeting format?
* 9) For a typical meeting, how many attendees would need the assistance of an interpreter?
10) Please provide the event date and venue address.
Event Date:(mm/dd/yyyy)
Venue Address:
(Note: To encourage the intentionality of offering verbal interpretation services, please let us know 28 days or more in advance of your meeting or event, in order to maximize your outreach in the interpreted language.)
Please upload the promotional flyer and any informational materials related to the event, if available at this time (i.e., public notice or flyer, agenda, presentation materials). The DWR service provider will translate the materials to the selected languages for the intended audience.
By clicking submit, the applicant understands and agrees to the following:
• DWR does not review, take responsibility for, or endorse the content submitted for Verbal Interpretation.
• Although DWR’s service provider will take care to provide appropriate and meaningful interpretation, accuracy is not guaranteed.
• DWR’s service provider will contact you for more details on the meeting venue, date, and logistics requirements for verbal interpretation.