Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency | January 3rd, 2020
Summary
The 2014 California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires that medium and high-priority groundwater basins and subbasins develop Groundwater Sustainabil
The 2014 California Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires that medium and high-priority groundwater basins and subbasins develop Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) that outline how they will achieve groundwater sustainably in 20 years, and maintain sustainability for an additional 30 years. This GSP fulfills that requirement for the Salinas Valley-180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin.
In 2017, local GSA-eligible entities formed the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) to develop and implement the GSPs for the Salinas Valley. The SVBGSA is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) with membership comprising the County of Monterey, Water Resources Agency of the County of Monterey (Monterey County Water Resources Agency, or MCWRA), City of Salinas, City of Soledad, City of Gonzales, City of King, Castroville Community Services District, and Monterey One Water. The SVBGSA is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors, representing public and private groundwater interests throughout the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin. In addition, an Advisory Committee ensures participation by, and input to, the Board by constituencies whose interests are not directly represented on the Board. The SVBGSA’s activities are coordinated by a General Manager.
The Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin consists of nine subbasins, of which six fall entirely or partially under the SVBGSA’s jurisdiction. One of the nine subbasins, the Seaside Subbasin, is adjudicated and not managed by the SVBGSA. Another two subbasins, the Paso Robles and Atascadero Subbasins, lie completely in San Luis Obispo County and are managed by other groundwater sustainability agencies.
The SVBGSA developed this GSP in coordination with the Marina Coast Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MCWD GSA) and the County of Monterey Ground Water Sustainability Agency (County GSA). The SVBGSA developed this GSP for the 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin (Subbasin) in concert with the GSPs for its five other Salinas Valley Subbasins: the Eastside Aquifer Subbasin (DWR subbasin number 3-004.02), the Forebay Aquifer Subbasin (DWR subbasin number 3-004.04), the Upper Valley Aquifer Subbasin (DWR subbasin number 3-004.05), the Langley Area Subbasin (DWR subbasin number 3-004.09) and the Monterey Subbasin (DWR subbasin number 3-004.10). Together, the six subbasin plans under the SVBGSA will be integrated into the Salinas Valley Integrated Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
This GSP covers all of the 89,700 acres of the 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin, as shown in Figure 1.The GSP describes current groundwater conditions, develops a hydrogeologic conceptual model, establishes a water budget, outlines local sustainable management criteria, and provides projects and programs for reaching sustainability in the Subbasin by 2040.
A downloaded copy of the GSP is available below, which has been divided into 8 sections. Or the "Get Document" link will lead readers to the online version lodged at the California Department of Water Resources SGMA Portal.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9