11
water-scarce years, with the intent
of growing more flexible annual
crops on those acres in years with
sufficient water.
Growers should also pay close
attention to decisions being made
now by Groundwater Sustainability
Agencies (GSAs), the local regulatory
entities created by SGMA. GSAs
are charged to create Groundwater
Sustainability Plans (GSPs) that
assess how to reach a balance
between the amount of water
pumped and the amount recharged
to the aquifer.
In the most threatened aquifers —
designated as high- or medium-
priority basins in "critically
overdrafted" areas — GSPs must
be delivered to the state for approval
by Jan. 31, 2020, with a strategy to
balance groundwater pumping and
groundwater replenishment by 2040.
Other high- and medium-priority
basins have until 2022 to submit
plans and until 2042 to reach
sustainable management.
GSAs are making decisions about
how to distribute water cutbacks
through programs such as water
trading. They are also deciding
to what extent they will restrict
local pumping, as well as potential
avenues to increase water supplies,
including options such as on-farm
and basin recharge programs.
Therefore, attending GSA meetings
and reviewing proposed plans offers
growers valuable information about
what future water resources might
look like and provides them with a
place to voice their opinions on
these matters.
"We recommend that growers talk
with their local irrigation districts
about participating in their recharge
programs and that they participate in
their GSAs," said Roseman.
Continued on Page 12
The majority of California Central
Valley counties are classified
as "high and medium priority"
basins, with South Valley
counties in "critically overdrafted
basins." (Source: Department of
Water Resources SGMA Basin
Prioritization Dashboard)
To view an online version of this
map and other SGMA materials,
visit Almonds.com/Irrigation/
Water-Supply.