In 2014, landmark water legislation – Senate Bill 1168 and Assembly Bill 1739 – were chaptered, establishing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), thus providing a framework for local agencies to develop plans and implement strategies to sustainably manage groundwater resources within a defined period.  The next significant deadline for the implementation of SGMA is fast approaching.  By June 30, 2017, a local agency/agencies in each high or medium priority groundwater basin must have officially formed one or more Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) for the entire basin, and submitted it to the Department of Water Resources (DWR).  

Other upcoming deadlines include that by January 31, 2020, each high or medium priority groundwater basin that is subject to critical conditions of overdraft must be managed under a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), and by January 31, 2022, all remaining high or medium priority groundwater basins must be managed under a GSP with a final review by DWR by January 31, 2024.  California’s local agencies, including counties, are all aggressively working to meet the deadlines to ensure proper implementation of SGMA as outlined below.

GSA Formation (to Date)

188 local agencies (including coordinated efforts by a combination of local agencies) have submitted GSA formation notifications.  Many local agencies have submitted multiple notifications in multiple basins.  The 188 local agencies account for 301 separate areas in 115 basins.

  • Of the 301 separate areas:
    • 127 are exclusive GSA areas;
    • 71 have a non-overlapped notification within a 90-day period; and
    • 103 have overlap to resolve.
  • Of the 115 basins that are partially or completely covered by GSA notifications:
    • 31 basins are low or very-low priority.
    • 84 basins are medium or high priority and are subject to SGMA requirements.

Most of the overlapping GSA notifications are expected to resolve the overlap prior to June 30, 2017, and most counties have stated they will become the GSA in the unmanaged areas of a high- or medium-priority basin if needed.

All GSA notifications can be submitted, viewed, and managed within the SGMA Portal.