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Participants press State Water Board on digital access, paper options and public data for Gears reporting
Summary
During the Gears workshop attendees raised concerns about landowners without email or internet access, the lack of a paper-submission option, potential late fees for those who experience technical issues, and how reported data will be made public. Staff said electronic reporting is required but in‑person help and language support will be offered.
Concerns about digital access, language support and public-data release surfaced during the State Water Resources Control Board’s Gears workshop as participants asked how landowners without email or web access can comply with the new online-only reporting system.
A participant who identified himself as Johnny asked: “I do have several landowners that are that don't have email or are like completely computer illiterate. How would we have them do this?” Amanda Howry and other staff responded that an email address is required to create a Gears account and, as of the workshop, there is no paper-submittal option; staff recommended that those landowners seek help from friends, family or public libraries and attend upcoming in‑person workshops where State Water Board staff will provide computers and one-on-one help.
Attendees also asked whether technical difficulties near the May 1, 2026 deadline would be excused. Staff said late fees will apply monthly for late submissions but emphasized the board will monitor its support inbox and phone line and host in‑person events to help users meet the deadline. "We do have our email address and phone number that we've provided and we monitor that pretty closely to try to provide instructions for folks who need help," a staff member said.
On language access, staff said the Gears quick reporting wizard is available in English and Spanish; additional translation or interpretation services can be requested through the board’s language services request process. Staff (Kelsey and others) said they will post information about requesting language access in the chat and via the program’s resources page.
Participants also asked whether information uploaded to Gears will be publicly available. Natalie Stork said much of the information could be made available after the reporting period closes but that personally identifiable information will be removed as required by California law; staff noted they were still finalizing the public-release details.
Why it matters: Requiring online submission without a clear paper alternative can create access barriers for some landowners and tenants, especially those without reliable internet or email. The board’s answers — in‑person workshops, phone/technical support and language-access requests — outline mitigation steps but do not change the electronic-only requirement announced at the workshop.
Next steps: Staff encouraged participants to forward the Gears resources page to affected pumpers, bring correspondence IDs to the April in-person office hours, and to email sigma@waterboards.ca.gov with language or accessibility requests. The extractor-focused session later this week and upcoming office hours aim to provide hands‑on assistance for users who cannot complete online filing on their own.
