Page 34 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster
P. 34
BEAUMONT BASIN WATERMASTER
MEMORANDUM NO. 16-05
Date: February 3, 2016
From: Joseph Zoba, Treasurer
Subject: Overview of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and
Proposed Basin Boundary Revisions
Recommendation: Pending
On Sept. 16, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a three-bill legislative package, known
as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (the “Act”). The Act provides a
framework for sustainable management of groundwater supplies by local authorities, with a limited
role for state intervention only if necessary to protect the resource. The Act protects existing
surface water and groundwater rights and does not impact current drought response measures.
The Act requires the formation of local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) that must
assess conditions in their local water basins and adopt locally-based management plans. While
the Act provides substantial time - 20 years - for GSAs to implement plans and achieve long-term
groundwater sustainability there are a number of milestones that are quickly approaching.
MEMORANDUM NO. 16-05
Date: February 3, 2016
From: Joseph Zoba, Treasurer
Subject: Overview of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and
Proposed Basin Boundary Revisions
Recommendation: Pending
On Sept. 16, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a three-bill legislative package, known
as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (the “Act”). The Act provides a
framework for sustainable management of groundwater supplies by local authorities, with a limited
role for state intervention only if necessary to protect the resource. The Act protects existing
surface water and groundwater rights and does not impact current drought response measures.
The Act requires the formation of local groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) that must
assess conditions in their local water basins and adopt locally-based management plans. While
the Act provides substantial time - 20 years - for GSAs to implement plans and achieve long-term
groundwater sustainability there are a number of milestones that are quickly approaching.
