Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Santa Rosa Plain
Summary
SCH Number
2018068704
Public Agency
Sonoma County Water Agency
Document Title
Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Santa Rosa Plain
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/29/2018
Document Description
In 2014, the State of CA adopted legislation to help manage its groundwater, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (GMA). According to the act, local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs )must be formed for all high and medium priority basins in the state. These GSAs must develop and implement Groundwater sustainability Plans (GSPs) for managing and using groundwater. Following passage of the SGMA, the local GSA-eligible agencies cooperated to form a Joint Powers Authority for the purposes of forming the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The Santa Rosa Plain GSA was created in June 2017. The member agencies consist of cities of Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Gold Ridge and Sonoma Resource Conservation Districts, Sonoma County Water agency, County of Sonoma, and the Town of Windsor. In addition, the GSA entered into a memorandum of understanding with Independent Water Suppliers, which consist of mutual water districts and water companies regulated by the CA Public Utilities Commission located within the basin.
The Proposed Project would develop and adopt the GSP to provide a detailed road map for how groundwater basins will reach long term sustainability. SGMA requires the GSP to consider the interests of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater. Contents of the GSP include basin conditions, measurable objectives for sustainability, and measures to meet the sustainable yield of the basin. The GSP will serve as the initial framework for integrating and developing the many independent management activities required for meeting these goals and compliance with SGMA.
Contact Information
Name
Connie Barton
Agency Name
Sonoma County Water Agency
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Windsor
Counties
Sonoma
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:10728.6
Reasons for Exemption
Pursuant to SGMA Section 10728.6 and Public Resources Code 21065, CEQA does not apply to the preparation, adoption, and amendment of groundwater sustainability plans. The GSP provides a framework to support coordination of public and private groundwater management efforts and protect groundwater resources and to support all beneficial uses, in an environmentally sound, economical, and equitable manner.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.