For the first time in California history, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) empowers local agencies to adopt groundwater management plans that are tailored to the resources and needs of their communities. Good groundwater management will provide a buffer against drought and climate change, and contribute to reliable water supplies regardless of weather patterns. California depends on groundwater for a major portion of its annual water supply, and sustainable groundwater management is essential to a reliable and resilient water system.
One of the near-approaching actions is to establish one or more Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to take responsibility for the development and implementation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Delta-Mendota Subbasin and ensure that it is operated within its sustainable yield, without causing undesirable results. On December 6, 2016, City Council elected to become its own GSA. The city has 30 days from this date to submit the Notice of Intent to the Department of Water Resources (DWR).
For more information on SGMA, the California Groundwater website offers links and news from state, local and non-governmental agencies.
GSA Public Hearing Public Notice
Approved GSA Resolution 2016-90
City of Patterson Proposed GSA Service Area
SGMA/GSA Informational PPT 20161206