Summary: The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) springs are unique environments of great ecological and cultural value, while the supporting groundwater is also an important economic resource. A high concentration of springs occurs within the far north of South Australia (SA). Historically, management and protection of springs, community, and industry needs have not necessarily aligned; water extraction led to decline and extinction of many springs. Concerns over these impacts led to significant research to understand hydrogeological and environmental processes associated with the springs, enabling the development of management measures and tools. This chapter demonstrates the use of evidence-based policies to manage ongoing threats to GAB spring environments. The primary policy and management tool implemented in SA to mitigate spring impacts is the legal declaration of the Far North Prescribed Wells Area (FNPWA), under which groundwater is monitored and regulated via the FNPWA Water Allocation Plan (FNWAP). This is designed to promote integrated and sustainable management of water resources, through licensing of groundwater extractions, ensuring judicious usage, and safeguarding pressures near springs. The GAB Springs Adaptive Management Plan (GABSAMP) is a recent, nonlegal, cross-jurisdictional initiative that collates current evidence on spring condition and threats and proposes objective methods to assess and manage identified risks. The GABSAMP also recommends a national interactive spring database and a coordinated, GAB-wide monitoring program. The FNWAP and the GABSAMP collectively promote evidence-based management actions that will maintain sufficient artesian pressure to sustain spring flows and encourage sensitive land use practices in and around springs.

Source: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119818625.ch13