SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT
What is SGMA?
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was passed in 2014 with the intent to manage and protect the State’s groundwater resources over the long-term. In signing SGMA, then-Governor Jerry Brown emphasized that “groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally.”
SGMA requires local agencies to form groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) for the high and medium priority basins and develop groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) to avoid undesirable results and mitigate overdraft within 20 years.
For more information on SGMA please see the Department Water Resources SGMA page.
What has actions has CSJWCD taken?
All GSAs are required to file a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). The plan outlines the unique characteristics of the basin, what the criteria are for sustainable management, what projects/management actions the GSA will take to achieve sustainability, and what monitoring and reporting the GSA will conduct. The GSP is reviewed every 5 years and updated annually.
After becoming a GSA in 2017, CSJWCD GSA joined other agencies to form the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority (ESJGWA) and submit a GSP for the basin. Listed below are key dates related to the GSP:
The CSJWCD GSA and ESJGWA also complete annual update reports to DWR. They are available here:
What has projects does CSJWCD GSA have?
CIP Program: (Implementation) CSJWCD GSA administers CSJWCD’s Capital Improvement Program. The program provides financial assistance to the cost of diverting and using available surface water. The program provides credit against the cost of surface water for up to 10 years on eligible projects.
Mariposa Drain Expansion: (Planning) CSJWCD GSA is planning an expansion of CSJWCD’s current delivery system on Mariposa Drain. The expansion will involve alterations to the existing infrastructure on Mariposa Drain for delivery of additional surface water and a reservoir for water storage.
CSJWCD GSA has hired consultant David’s Engineering and anticipates the planning phase to continue through 2026. CSJWCD GSA is gathering water delivery data. The data collected will be used to size reservoir storage needs and determine other necessary modernization requirements.
Avena Drain Extension (Planning) CSJWCD GSA is planning an extension to the Mariposa Drain Expansion, to include surface water delivery down Avena Drain and a reservoir for water storage. These two independent systems will be connected to enable enhanced water utilization and sharing of water through intertied systems.
