Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Kaweah 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 – Kaweah Subbasin (Subbasin), three separate GSPs were prepared by three 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 three GSPs and the coordination agreement are referred to as the Plan for the Subbasin. Individually, the GSPs include the following:

• East Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (East Kaweah GSP) – the East Kaweah GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the East Kaweah GSA.
• Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Greater Kaweah GSP) – the Greater Kaweah GSP is implemented by a single GSA, the Greater Kaweah GSA.
• Mid-Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Mid-Kaweah GSP) – prepared by the Mid-Kaweah 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.