DWR Releases Second Round of GSP Assessments by ACWA Staff Nov 18, 2021 Water News SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in a news release today announced its second round of assessments of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) developed by local agencies to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR announced that it has assessed and approved plans for the Oxnard Subbasin and the Pleasant Valley Basin in Ventura County, and the North and South Yuba subbasins in Yuba County. These four plans were approved with recommended corrective actions the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) will need to address in their next updated plan, due by January 2025. The GSAs for these basins will continue implementing their plans to achieve SGMA’s goal of groundwater sustainability within 20 years. In addition, DWR has notified four GSAs that their plans lack specific details and will need to address deficiencies to be approved, according to the DWR release. Prior to making a final determination, DWR is requesting a consultation meeting with the GSAs to discuss actions and time necessary to improve the plans. The GSAs will be required to thoroughly understand and avoid or minimize subsidence impacts on flood control and water conveyance infrastructure, as intended by the law. SGMA initiated a new era of local groundwater management. For the first time in California’s water history, local agencies and groundwater users are required to form GSAs and develop and implement plans to guide how they will achieve groundwater basin sustainability goals over the next 20 years. ACWA’s Board of Directors approved Groundwater Management Policy Principals in August that outline the association’s support for enhancing local management of groundwater, continuing progress on SGMA implementation, supporting regional planning and solutions, and promoting groundwater replenishment. ACWA staff continues to work with the state and with urban and agricultural water users, growers and landowners, environmental and disadvantaged community interests, and other stakeholders on achieving groundwater sustainability in California. DWR’s first round of assessments was announced in June. More data on SGMA and California groundwater can be accessed on DWR’s SGMA Portal.