Statement of Findings regarding the Approval of the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA or Act), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the Basin covered by the Plan, and whether the Plan adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. (Water Code § 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the Plan within two years of its submission. (Water Code § 10733.4.) This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the three GSPs (collectively referred to as “the Plan”) submitted by the Western Management Area, Central Management Area, and Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs or Agencies) for the Santa Ynez River Valley Basin (No. 3-015).