Interconnected Resources
SGMA is the Legislature’s attempt to remedy the effects of this historical absence of groundwater regulation; and rather groundbreakingly, it is the first statewide law to treat groundwater and surface water as interconnected–instead of legally distinct–resources. The law establishes a statewide system of groundwater management, starting with the groundwater basins that are either currently over-drafted, or in imminent danger of becoming so. SGMA emphasizes local control through the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). These GSAs are responsible for developing and implementing the Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) that will form the basis of groundwater regulation throughout the state. GSPs for high-priority basis are due by January 31, 2020; whereas GSAs in medium-priority basins have until 2022 to adopt their GSPs. Regardless of priority, a basin must achieve sustainability within 20 years of its GSP’s approval by the state.
Interestingly, SGMA never actually defines the terms “sustainable” or “sustainability.” Instead, the Act sets up a framework for “sustainable groundwater management,” which it defines in terms of six “undesirable results” that basins must avoid: (1) the chronic lowering of groundwater levels; (2) reduction of groundwater storage; (3) seawater intrusion; (4) degraded water quality; (5) land subsidence; and (6) depletions of interconnected surface waters adversely affecting the beneficial use of those surface waters. Because each basin is unique, there is no singular definition of sustainability. Instead, each GSA will interpret the term based on which undesirable results are present in their respective basins.
Although somewhat confusing, the benefit to SGMA’s vagueness is the flexibility that it affords. Instead of having one model for the entire state, SGMA recognizes that individualized management strategies are necessary given the diversity of interests and needs amongst the state’s groundwater basins. Here in the Shasta-Klamath Region, CalTrout is taking advantage of this flexibility by advocating for GSPs that meet the needs of fish and people alike. In 2018 CalTrout partnered with Siskiyou County and joined the Scott Valley GSA Technical Advisory Committee. This committee, comprised primarily of agricultural and municipal water users, is responsible for developing the Scott Valley Basin’s GSP by 2022. In addition to representing local environmental interests during committee meetings, CalTrout also plays a leadership role by serving as the committee’s vice chair. At the same time, we are engaging with local water users and continuing to undertake innovative on-the-ground projects so that, regardless of SGMA’s ultimate success, we can protect our important groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and ensure that the Shasta and Scott Rivers continue to support salmonid populations for generations to come.
PROTECTION
For a look at what SGMA does (and doesn't) do, CLICK HERE