Joint Legislative Hearing Held on State Implementation of SGMA

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee held a joint oversight hearing on February 23, 2016 on State Implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  Representatives of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) discussed the activities taken and yet to be taken to implement SGMA.  

The response panel, composed of varied stakeholders including local public agencies qualified to form Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), uniformly complemented the DWR on their outreach efforts and willingness to work with the interest groups during development of implementing regulations.  The RCRC/CSAC County SGMA Working Group has been meeting with DWR throughout the process.  Supervisor Bruce Gibson, San Luis Obispo County, testified on behalf of California counties.

The public review and comment period on the DWRs draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) regulations ends March 25, 2016.  RCRC encourages member counties to submit comments on the draft regulations and requests that a copy of the comments submitted be sent to RCRC.  The draft regulations can be accessed here.  The DWR’s PowerPoint presentation can be accessed here.