Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Delta-Mendota Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plans

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the GSP, and whether the GSP 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 GSP within two years of its submission. (Water Code 10733.4.)

SGMA allows for multiple GSPs implemented by multiple groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) and coordinated pursuant to a single coordination agreement that covers the entire basin to be an acceptable planning scenario. (Water Code 10727.) In the San Joaquin Valley – Delta-Mendota Subbasin (Subbasin), six separate GSPs were prepared by 23 GSAs pursuant to the required coordination agreement. This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the multiple GSPs covering the Subbasin submitted jointly by the multiple GSAs. Collectively, the six GSPs and the coordination agreement are referred to as the Plan for the Subbasin. Individually, the GSPs include the following:

• Aliso Water District Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Aliso GSP) – the Aliso GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the Aliso Water District GSA.
• Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Delta-Mendota Subbasin, Farmers Water District (Farmers GSP) – the Farmers GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the Farmers Water District GSA.
• Groundwater Sustainability Plan for County of Fresno GSA Management Area A & Management Area B – Delta-Mendota Subbasin (Fresno County GSP) – the Fresno County GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the County of Fresno GSA.
• Grassland Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Grassland GSP) – the Grassland GSP is implemented by two GSAs, the Grasslands GSA and the County of Merced GSA.
• Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Northern and Central Delta-Mendota Regions (Northern and Central GSP) – the Northern and Central GSP is implemented by the following eight GSAs: Oro Loma GSA, DM-II GSA, Patterson Irrigation District GSA, Widren Water District GSA, City of Patterson GSA, Northwestern Delta-Mendota GSA, West Stanislaus Irrigation District GSA, and Central Delta-Mendota GSA. • Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors GSP Group in the Delta-Mendota Subbasin (SJREC GSP) – the SJREC GSP is implemented by the following 11 GSAs: San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors GSA; City of Firebaugh GSA, City of Los Banos GSA, City of Newman GSA, City of Dos Palos GSA, City of Guistine GSA, City of Mendota GSA, County of Merced GSA, County of Madera GSA, and Turner Island Water District GSA, as well as a portion of the County of Fresno Management Area B GSA.

Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the deficiencies identified should preclude approval of the Plan. Based on its review of the Staff Report, Department management is satisfied that staff have conducted a thorough evaluation and assessment of the Plan and concurs with, and hereby adopts, staff’s recommendation and all the corrective actions provided. The Department thus deems the Plan incomplete based on the Staff Report and the findings contained herein.