Title
Receive a report regarding a proposed Joint Powers Authority to be the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the greater Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a report regarding a proposed Joint Powers Authority to be the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the greater Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In the fall of 2014 the California legislature adopted, and the Governor signed into law, three bills (SB 1168, AB 1739, and SB 1319) collectively referred to as the "Sustainable Groundwater Management Act" ("SGMA") that initially became effective on January 1, 2015, and amended from time-to-time thereafter. The stated purpose of SGMA, as set forth in California Water Code section 10720.1, is to provide for the sustainable management of groundwater basins at a local level by providing local groundwater agencies with the authority, and technical and financial assistance necessary to sustainably manage groundwater.
SGMA requires the designation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies ("GSAs") for the purpose of achieving groundwater sustainability through the adoption and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans ("GSPs") or an alternative plan for all medium and high priority basins as designated by the California Department of Water Resources. SGMA also requires that the Basin have a designated GSA by no later than June 30, 2017, and an adopted GSP by no later than January 31, 2020, if a high or medium priority basin is in critical overdraft, and no later than January 31, 2022, if designated a high or medium priority basin. The Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin ("Basin") is a high priority basin, and the 180/400 foot aquifer sub-basin is designated in critical overdraft.
SGMA authorizes a combination of local agencies to form a GSA by entering into a joint powers agreement as authorized by the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Chapter 5 of Division 7 o...
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