On September 16, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a three-bill legislative package, comprised of AB 1739 (Dickinson), SB 1168 (Pavley), and SB 1319 (Pavley), collectively known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  The Governor’s signing message states “a central feature of these bills is the recognition that groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally.”

SGMA requires the formation of locally-controlled groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) in the State’s priority groundwater basins and subbasins.  The legislation authorizes any local agency, as defined, or combination of local agencies to elect to be a GSA.

Below is a short introduction video about groundwater and SGMA:

 

SGMA Implementation Timeline

•  January 2015-16: Basins are prioritized; Yolo Subbasin is "high-priority"
• June 2017: Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency is formed through a JPA Agreeement
• January 2022: Final Groundwater Sustainability Plan is submitted to DWR
• January 2022 - January 2041: GSP Implementation
• January 2042: Subbasin must achieve its sustainability goals