Fee Study
The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) was formed in response to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014 which requires local, sustainable management of groundwater in identified subbasins throughout California. The YSGA consists of 26 member agencies, each with a seat on the Board of Directors, and represents residential, urban, agricultural and environmental interests.
Since formation, the YSGA has been solely funded by state grants and member agency contributions. Funds have supported agency operations and management, Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) development (approved by the Department of Water Resources in October 2023), and grant-funded projects adopted in the GSP that work toward achieving sustainable groundwater levels by 2042.
At this juncture, it is not feasible for YSGA to remain reliant solely on member agency contributions as it implements the GSP. YSGA will continue to actively pursue grants, however, grant monies are not guaranteed. As such, the Agency commissioned a fee study in June 2025 to develop a funding mechanism that will allow YSGA to become financially self-sufficient. The new funding mechanism will fund GSP implementation by conducting investigative and feasibility studies that advance the understanding of the groundwater basin, annual monitoring and reporting, periodic updates to the GSP, and agency operations. The funding mechanism will not be used to implement projects that involve construction. The study is anticipated to be completed by June 2026.
The fee study will consider the diverse range of groundwater users within the YSGA’s boundaries and other factors in determining funding structure options, such as land use, community characteristics, culture, and demographics. Outreach and communication with various stakeholders, including agricultural and municipal groundwater users, domestic well owners, water providers, environmental interests, and the public, will be fundamental to gathering perspectives about fee methodologies and structures, and garnering opinions about establishing a generally acceptable fee.
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Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency Hosts Community Workshops
The Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency (YSGA) is planning a series of workshops to provide communities within the Yolo Subbasin an opportunity to learn about the Fee Study currently being conducted. To date, the YSGA has been working with the fee consultant to examine YSGA’s operations and budget and many sources of available and reliable data to confidently calculate a fee. Additionally, the fee study has researched and categorized the different types of groundwater and conjunctive water users in the Yolo Subbasin. Initial outreach with stakeholders, representatives of groundwater users, and YSGA staff and Board members have shaped the formation of fee methodologies that 1) address the diverse range of groundwater users and use in the Subbasin and 2) equitably distributes costs among all who benefit from Yolo Subbasin’s long-term groundwater sustainability.
The community is encouraged to attend a regional workshop to learn about the proposed fee methodologies, specifics about how the YSGA fee is determined and financial impacts to different parcels within the Subbasin boundaries. Visit www.yologroundwater.org/fee-study for more information.
Clarksburg
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse
36446 Riverview Dr., Clarksburg
Winters
Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites
702 Matsumoto Lane, Winters
Woodland
Monday, March 16, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Woodland Community and Senior Center
2001 East St., Woodland
Dunnigan
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Dunnigan Fire Protection District
29145 Main St., Dunnigan
Esparto
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Capay Valley Health and Community Center
17340 Yolo Ave., Esparto
Virtual Workshop via Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7847507621
Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 10 a.m.
