38 Almond Facts
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2015
of technical and planning assistance to locals, in addition to
fnancial assistance.
Gutierrez outlined four phases to implementation of
the groundwater package. In phase one, the creation of
governance areas — called Groundwater Sustainability
Agencies (GSAs) — is mandated by June 30, 2017. Many
communities have already started the discussion to move
forward on this initial governance requirement.
Phase two includes the development and adoption of
Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). The deadline for
GSPs in high and medium priority groundwater basins in
critical overdraft is Jan. 31, 2020. GSPs for high and medium
priority basins not considered to be in critical overdraft must
be developed and adopted by Jan. 21, 2022.
Phase three is the early implementation of the GSPs
beginning in 2020 for areas in critical overdraft and 2022
for other areas. Phase four, sustainable groundwater
management, begins in the year 2040.
The state water bond, Proposition 1, included $100 million
for sustainable groundwater management agencies. In
addition, GSAs have been provided broad fee, compliance
and enforcement authorities. GSAs can choose to assess fees,
monitor groundwater pumping and levy fnes for violations,
among other actions.
In outlining next steps, Gutierrez said DWR is completing
a Draft Strategic Plan and is working on outreach plans to
ensure public input. In addition, a Groundwater Information
Center was developed with further information available
(http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/).
D’Adamo discussed how our state groundwater resources
are under stress and she added that the Board, like DWR,
believes groundwater should be locally managed.
D’Adamo outlined what many call the state “backstop,”
which is state intervention triggered by a specifc failure to
act by locals. Under the groundwater law, the Board can
designate a basin or sub-basin as “probationary” if:
• By June 30, 2017 a GSA is not designated for the entire
basin
• By Jan. 31, 2020, no GSP is developed or the GSP is
inadequate for basins in critical overdraft
• By Jan. 31, 2022, in other basins, no GSP is developed
or the GSP is inadequate and the basin is in long-term
overdraft
• By Jan. 31, 2025, DWR or the Board determines a GSP
is inadequate and there are signifcant depletions of
interconnected surface waters
The ag community is concerned about the scope of
intervention that will potentially be imposed by the Board.
This issue was raised at both Groundwater Forums.
At the Dec. 9 Groundwater Forum, Moore said it is
“not appropriate for the state to come in and manage
groundwater basins,” adding it is “temporary, if needed.”
According to Moore, the Board’s view is that enforcement
is needed because the state wants to prevent those who are
not following the rules from gaining an economic advantage.
Moore said the Board is “not interested in micromanaging
the process.” D’Adamo added, “The Board is only stepping-
in where there’s an undesirable result. The Board has a lot on
its plate and does not want to get involved unless necessary.”
Now that this historic legislation has passed, Ag Council
is working to make sure key state offcials understand the
rights and protections needed to sustain our agricultural
community.