Outreach & Engagement

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Public Involvement in SGMA

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires that each Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the groundwater basin. To do so, SGMA sets out numerous public notice requirements for both local GSAs and the State. These requirements include:

Public notice and hearing before establishing a GSA, adopting or amending a GSP, or imposing or increasing a fee

Creation and use of an interested persons list for the subbasin or GSA

Participation of federally recognized Tribal Governments sharing the interest of the sustainability of the groundwater agency

Development of a written statement describing the manner in which interested parties may participate in the development and implementation of the GSP though a Communication & Engagement Plan (C&E Plan)

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN SUBBASIN

A description of the various groups involved in developing the GSP is given below.

GSAs — Six GSAs have been formed in the South American Subbasin. Overall direction, funding, and approval for the groundwater sustainability planning process and work products is provided by the governing boards of the GSAs. The final GSP will be adopted by the elected governing bodies of each of these organizations.

SASb stakeholders will be able to receive regular updates and provide input at regularly scheduled GSA Board meetings.

GSP Working Group— The GSAs for the South American Subbasin (SASb) have formed a GSPWG of senior staff and governing board members to coordinate day-to-day planning activities and public outreach.

The GSPWG will hold two types of meetings, regularly scheduled working sessions to focus on the technical content and guidance to consultants working on the GSP as well as publicly noticed public meetings to allow stakeholders to engage and provide input prior to key GSP milestones throughout the process. See the Home Page for a list of GSPWG representatives and calendared meetings and events at Meetings.

Stakeholders including Interested Parties and Members of the Public — Public outreach and engagement will consist primarily of open meetings of (GSA Boards), information and updates to the project website, and public workshops and information sessions held at important stages of the groundwater sustainability planning process. The GSAs will also provide information briefings to elected officials (City Councils, County Board of Supervisors, and Board of Directors), community organizations, neighborhoods, and others as needed to keep them informed and engaged.

SASb GSP Stakeholders

Pursuant to Section 10723.2 of the California Water Code, each GSA must consider the interests of all beneficial users and users of groundwater within the Subbasin, as well as those responsible for implementing GSPs. These interests include the following:

Agricultural users (farmers, ranchers, dairy professionals)
Rural, Ag-Residential and Domestic well owners
Municipal well operators
Public water systems
Local land use planning agencies
Environmental users of groundwater
Surface water users
The federal government (not limited to the military and managers of federal lands)
Tribal Governments
Disadvantaged communities
Entities monitoring or reporting groundwater elevations in the subbasin
Holders of overlying groundwater rights
Adjacent Subbasins including Yolo, North American, Cosumnes, East San Joaquin and Solano

For specific questions about the GSA in your region, visit the Contact Page.

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South American Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies

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