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Decorative vector

March 2026 Newsletter


The District’s expanded Mentone shop is ready to support maintenance of expanded facilities developed through the Enhanced Recharge Project. Photo credit: Stephen Readmond

Mentone Shop Refresh

The District’s shop located in Mentone has been expanded to ensure continued successful operations on District property. Located on the northeast side of the Upper Santa Ana River wash the new building expands the facility to increase efficiency and capacity. The updated facilities support increased responsibilities and requirements to maintain the wash including doubling recharge capacity through development of the Enhanced Recharge Project constructed through a partnership with San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District.


Board members and staff join a guided field tour of District land to learn about the implementation of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Habitat Conservation Plan six years after adoption. Photo credit: SBVWCD

Environmental Workshop

On March 25 the District’s Board of Directors attended an environmental workshop and guided field tour of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash Habitat Conservation Plan Preserve. The Board reviewed progress on the District’s compliance with the Habitat Conservation Plan’s requirements, which permit our groundwater recharge operations under federal law. Board members viewed restorations sites and asked questions related to specific projects including the ecology of the alluvial fan and its threatened and endangered species. As required by our permits, the District has restored nearly 200 acres of land, developed and implemented monitoring programs for Slender-horned Spineflower and San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat, and created a site-specific vegetation map and classification system since 2020.

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AI Policy Adopted

On March 11 the Board of Directors approved an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to guide the appropriate and responsible use of AI systems at the District. The policy establishes a practical framework for how AI tools may be used by District employees, Board members, and volunteers in support of the District’s work. The aim is to enable the District to thoughtfully leverage AI systems to improve internal efficiency and enhance service to the community while safeguarding public trust protecting sensitive information and ensuring alignment with the District’s mission of responsible groundwater stewardship. “This is not about replacing people,” said General Manager Betsy Miller Vixie. “It is about intelligently embracing technology and becoming adept at using AI as a skill to utilize artificial intelligence in appropriate ways.” The policy emphasizes that AI will support – not replace – human expertise and includes requirements for meaningful human review of AI outputs particularly in technical scientific operational and public-facing functions to ensure accuracy accountability and reliability.

IN THE NEWS:
Interior Announces $540 Million Investment in California Water
The Department of the Interior today announced $889 million in investments for critical water infrastructure projects across the West, with $540 million going to California projects.
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Local Agencies Across California Continue Advancements Toward Groundwater Sustainability
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released the final version of California’s Groundwater: Bulletin 118 – Update 2025, the State’s official and most comprehensive report of groundwater monitoring, conditions, and management across California.
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Innovative Project Secures Groundwater Resilience
A unique regional collaboration between local and regional water agencies is demonstrating how communication, cooperation and creative financing can help small, disadvantaged water systems overcome longstanding groundwater challenges.
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Hello Sunflower


The annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus) grows well in the wide spaces and direct sun of the Upper Santa Ana River wash. According to the California Native Plant Society’s Calscape, sunflowers are, “excellent habitat plants, offering nectar and pollen for a wide array of bees and butterflies. Their seeds are a valuable food source for birds, making them a wonderful choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.”

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About the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District:

For nearly a century, the SBVWCD has stewarded the San Bernardino Valley water basin and the native species of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash. Its collaborative approach to project management assures high-quality local water supplies for people, agriculture, and the environment. This includes groundwater recharge and oversight, and protection of habitat and native species in the Wash.