A key component in the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is now available for public comment.
Signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in late 2014, SGMA requires that local agencies, known as groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs), be formed to sustainably manage groundwater in their local basins.
While establishment of those agencies is ongoing, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released draft regulations outlining a process for evaluating and implementing local groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs), the tools with which local GSAs will bring groundwater aquifers into balanced levels of pumping and recharge.
The draft regulations are available for public review online, and comments can be submitted to DWR through March 25, 2016. Additionally, DWR will host three public meetings and a webinar to receive public comments prior to the March 25 deadline. The schedule for the meetings and webinar is:
Monday, March 21, 2016
Visalia
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Visalia Convention Center
303 E. Acequia Ave.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Santa Ana
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Delhi Community Center
505 E. Central Ave.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Online Webinar
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You must first register for the webinar; after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Sacramento
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Secretary of State Building
1500 11th Street
Following the public comment period, the GSP regulations will be presented to the California Water Commission for consideration and potential adoption, after which they will be submitted to the Office of Administrative Law. By June 1, 2016, DWR is required to adopt the regulations to achieve the legislative intent of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
The complete groundwater legislation timeline is available at the California Groundwater website. If you are interested in becoming involved in SGMA implementation, join the SGMA email list to learn about upcoming activities and public meetings. Input from stakeholders will be essential for identifying local considerations.
