Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the Klamath River Valley – Tulelake Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 18th, 2024

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 Tulelake Subbasin, and whether the GSP adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin or subbasin to implement its GSP or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin or subbasin. (Water Code § 10733.) The Department is directed to issue an assessment of the GSP within two years of its submission. (Water Code § 10733.4.) This Statement of Findings explains the Department’s decision regarding the submitted Plan by the Tulelake Irrigation District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Modoc County Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Siskiyou County Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and City of Tulelake Groundwater Sustainability Agency (collectively, the GSAs or Agencies) for the Klamath River Valley – Tulelake Subbasin (Basin No. 1-002.01).

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the Sacramento Valley Basin -- Antelope Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | October 26th, 2023

Statement of Findings regarding the Determination of Incomplete Status of the San Joaquin Valley - Merced 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 Merced Irrigation-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), Merced Subbasin GSA, and Turner Island Water District GSA #1 (collectively, the GSAs) for the San Joaquin Valley – Merced Subbasin (No. 5-022.04). 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 – 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.

Statewide Effects of Ending Long-Term Groundwater Overdraft in California

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) | September 19th, 2019

Groundwater overdraft is a major problem globally and has been a growing problem for California for decades. This overdraft is predominantly driven by the economic value

Groundwater overdraft is a major problem globally and has been a growing problem for California for decades. This overdraft is predominantly driven by the economic value of water for agricultural production and cities. Spurred by the recent drought, California passed legislation requiring the elimination of groundwater overdraft by 2040. This paper employs a statewide hydroeconomic optimization model to explore potential water supply effects of ending long-term groundwater overdraft in California’s Central Valley for several general water policies with historical and warmer–drier climates. The model minimizes agricultural, urban scarcity, and operating costs over 82 years of historical hydrologic variability, given today’s infrastructure and environmental flow constraints. The model results assess effects of overdraft and Delta policies for different climates on water deliveries, economic costs, environmental flows, water market operations, and the economic value of expanding infrastructure capacities. Prohibiting long-term overdraft leads to reduced agricultural water use and reoperations, and reduced outflows to the sea from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where water availability policies become important. In combination with a warmer–drier climate, ending overdraft further exacerbates water scarcities, increases environmental and economic costs, and increases the marginal economic value of water exports from the Delta, which are likely to worsen water conflicts and illustrate connections of California’s groundwater and surface water problems. Economically useful adaptation actions include more water transfers involving the Delta, water markets, and trades; conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater; and recycled wastewater supplies for coastal urban users.

Status of 2015 Urban Water Management Plans

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | September 22nd, 2017

The Department of Water Resources (DWR or Department) respectfully submits this report to the Legislature pursuant to the requirements of the Urban Water Management Plann

The Department of Water Resources (DWR or Department) respectfully submits this report to the Legislature pursuant to the requirements of the Urban Water Management Planning Act. Specifically, California Water Code (CWC) §10644 and §10608.42 require the Department to summarize the status of Urban Water Management Plans (UWMPs), exemplary elements of UWMPs, progress towards achieving a statewide water use reduction of 20-percent by the year 2020 (20x2020), and provide recommendations to achieve the targeted 20-percent reduction in statewide water use by 2020 in this report. This report incorporates the CWC’s §10608.42 (SB X7-7 of 2009) requirement for DWR to report progress towards achieving a 20% reduction in per capita urban water use by December 31, 2020. The statute requires DWR to include recommendations on changes to water use efficiency standards on urban water use targets needed to achieve the 20% reduction, and to reflect updated efficiency information and technology changes. UWMPs are prepared by California's urban water suppliers to support their long-term resource planning and ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water demands. The Urban Water Management Planning Act (CWC §10610 – 10656 supplemented by CWC §10608 et seq) specifies the requirements for UWMPs. Every urban water supplier that either provides over 3,000 acre-feet of water annually or serves 3,000 or more customers is required to submit an UWMP in years ending in one and six. To date, 400 out of 435 urban water suppliers have submitted their 2015 UWMP, a 92% compliance rate.

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.

Streamlining Restoration Project Consultation Using Programmatic Biological Opinions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | April 24th, 2012

NOAA Fisheries Northwest Region supports efforts to restore the ecological function of our region’s habitat. Restoring habitat contributes to the recovery of species cu

NOAA Fisheries Northwest Region supports efforts to restore the ecological function of our region’s habitat. Restoring habitat contributes to the recovery of species currently protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), ensures that critical habitat designated under the ESA will serve its intended conservation role, and advances the conservation and enhancement of essential fish habitat (EFH) designated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).