SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT (SGMA)€¦ · IN THE LOOP with the Hanson Bridgett...

Signed into law on September 16th, 2014.

Empowers groundwater management plans at a local level.

Priorit izes basins with the greatest problems (ranked as high and medium priority).

Sets a timeline for implementation.

STAGES

GSA Powers and Authorities

GSA - Formation of Agencies

GSP - Development of Plans

Attain Sustainabil i ty

SGM

A

GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agencies

Combination of local agencies may form a GSA.

Conduct investigations.

Determine the sustainable yield.

Measure and limit extractions.

Impose fees for groundwater management.

Enforce the terms of a GSP management.

No authority to make water rights determinations.

Opportunity to form joint powers agreement.

Means management and use of groundwater in a manner that can be maintained without causing undesirable results.

Opportunity to memorandum of agreement.

Publication of notice and public hearing in the county or counties overlying the basin.

GSP

Alternative Process

Groundwater Sustainability Plan

The intent is to meet the sustainabil i ty goals and ensure operation within its sustainable yield, without causing undesirable results.

A GSP may be a single plan covering the entire basin in one GSA.

A GSP may be a single plan covering the entire basin in multiple GSAs.

A GSP may be multiple plans implemented by multiple GSAs pursuant coordination agreement.

Changing RegulationsBasin Boundary Regulations - By January 1, 2016, DWR is required to adopt emergency regulations.

Reformed adjudication process

Groundwater basins that have ongoing successful groundwater management programs do not need to create a GSA or develop a new GSP.

A GSA must consider the interests of a variety of different stakeholders:

Beneficial users of the water right owners.

Environmental interestswithin the basin.

Disadvantaged communities and tribes.

Local agencies in high- and

medium- priority basins must form a GSA.

SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATERMANAGEMENT ACT (SGMA)

January

202031

January

202231Critical

conditions of overdraft - GSP by

All others – GSP by

IN THE LOOP with the Hanson Bridgett Government Group

Nathan A. Metcalf

Senior Counsel

Alternative proposal to be submitted to DWR.

JUNE 30,2017

JUNE 30, 2017