Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Inadequate Status of the Kaweah Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | March 2nd, 2023

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the Chowchilla Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

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 Plan submitted jointly by the Chowchilla Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), Madera County GSA, County of Merced Chowchilla GSA, and Triangle T Water District GSA (collectively, the GSAs or Agencies) for the Chowchilla Subbasin (No. 5-022.05). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. 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.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the Cuyama Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 21st, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

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 Plan submitted by the Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Cuyama Valley Basin (No. 3-013). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. 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.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley - Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 21st, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

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 Plan submitted by the Westlands Water District GSA and the County of Fresno – Westside GSA (the GSAs or Agencies) for the San Joaquin Valley - Westside Subbasin (No. 5-022.09). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. 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.

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

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 21st, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the

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.

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

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the

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.

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley – Tulare Lake Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP or Plan) conforms to specific requirements

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), 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 Plan submitted jointly by the El Rico GSA, Mid-Kings River GSA, South Fork Kings GSA, Southwest Kings GSA, and Tri-County Water Authority GSA (collectively, the GSAs or Agencies) for the San Joaquin Valley – Tulare Lake Subbasin (No. 5-022.12). Department management has reviewed the enclosed Staff Report, which recommends that the identified deficiencies should preclude approval of the GSP. 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.

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

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 28th, 2022

The Department of Water Resources (Department) is required to evaluate whether a submitted groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) conforms to specific requirements of the

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 – Tule Subbasin (Subbasin), six separate GSPs were prepared by 7 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: • Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Alpaugh Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Alpaugh GSP) – The Alpaugh GSP is managed by a single GSA, the Alpaugh GSA. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSP) – The Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District GSA, and has four management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Eastern Tule GSP) – The Eastern Tule GSP is managed by a single GSA, Eastern Tule Joint Powers Authority GSA, and has five management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Lower Tule River Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSP) – The Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSA, and has three management areas. • Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Groundwater Sustainability Plan, January 2020, Pixley Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Tule Subbasin (Pixley Irrigation District GSP) – The Pixley Irrigation District GSP is managed by a single GSA, Pixley Irrigation District GSA, and has three management areas. • Tri-County Water Authority, Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Tri-County GSP) – The Tri-County GSP is managed by a single GSA, Tri-County Water Authority, and has two management areas. 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.

Still Imperilled, Still Important: The Little Hoover Commission’s Review of the CALFED Program

Little Hoover Commission | November 17th, 2005

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a treasured and imperiled resource. And CALFED has been the best hope to restore it. The ambitious state-federal partnership is

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a treasured and imperiled resource. And CALFED has been the best hope to restore it. The ambitious state-federal partnership is proof that political will and leadership can resolve seemingly intractable conflicts. And yet in recent years, the program also has demonstrated the propensity for rudderless bureaucracies to get caught in inescapable eddies. It is not too late for the Delta, or for CALFED. But restoring the estuary and managing the resource in a sustainable manner will require continuous political support, expert leadership, and smart management.

Storage Capacity and Sedimentation Characteristics of the San Antonio Reservoir, California, 2018

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 15th, 2020