GSP/GSA

The Madera County Water & Natural Resources Department develops and implements county policy and activities regarding surface water, groundwater and watershed management. We work with a variety of committees, organizations and stakeholders regarding water and natural resource issues.

Currently much of their time involves preparing for compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2014. This piece of legislation fundamentally changes management of California’s groundwater basins. SGMA mandates the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and requires the adoption of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) for basins or subbasins designated as medium or high-priority by the CA Department of Water Resources. GSPs are mandatory to eliminate overdraft conditions in aquifers and to return them to conditions that assure long-term sustainability within 20 years of implementation.

Description: The Madera Subbasin exists within the larger San Joaquin Valley Groundwater basin, as described in the California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118. The County of Madera is the exclusive GSA for the portion of the Madera Subbasin in the unincorporated area of the County, and not otherwise covered by another public agency. An Advisory Committee advises the Madera County GSAs for the Madera Subbasin. There are additional multiple GSAs within the Madera Subbasin, including the Madera County GSA, City of Madera GSA, Madera Irrigation District, Root Creek Water District, Madera Water District, Gravelly Ford Water District, New Stone Water District.

VIEW or DOWNLOAD GRAVELLY FORD WATER DISTRICT DRAFT GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

VIEW or DOWNLOAD RESOLUTION NO. 2018-3