text: The groundwater sustainability agency shall establish and maintain a list of persons interested in receiving notices regarding plan preparation, meeting announcements, and availability of draft plans, maps, and other relevant documents. Any person may request, in writing, to be placed on the list of interested persons.


kind: section

code: WAT

text:
(a) A combination of local agencies may form a groundwater sustainability agency by using any of the following methods:

(1) A joint powers agreement.

(2) A memorandum of agreement or other legal agreement.

(b) A water corporation regulated by the Public Utilities Commission or a mutual water company may participate in a groundwater sustainability agency through a memorandum of agreement or other legal agreement. The authority provided by this subdivision does not confer any additional powers to a nongovernmental entity.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 7. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 4. Establishing Groundwater Sustainability Agencies


text:
(a) Within 30 days of deciding to become or form a groundwater sustainability agency, the local agency or combination of local agencies shall inform the department of its decision and its intent to undertake sustainable groundwater management. The notification shall include the following information, as applicable:

(1) The service area boundaries, the boundaries of the basin or portion of the basin the agency intends to manage pursuant to this part, and the other agencies managing or proposing to manage groundwater within the basin.

(2) A copy of the resolution forming the new agency.

(3) A copy of any new bylaws, ordinances, or new authorities adopted by the local agency.

(4) A list of interested parties developed pursuant to Section 10723.2 and an explanation of how their interests will be considered in the development and operation of the groundwater sustainability agency and the development and implementation of the agency’s sustainability plan.

(b) The department shall post all complete notices received under this section on its Internet Web site within 15 days of receipt.

(c) The decision to become a groundwater sustainability agency shall take effect 90 days after the department posts notice under subdivision (b) if no other local agency submits a notification under subdivision (a) of its intent to undertake groundwater management in all or a portion of the same area. If another notification is filed within the 90-day period, the decision shall not take effect unless the other notification is withdrawn or modified to eliminate any overlap in the areas proposed to be managed. The local agencies shall seek to reach agreement to allow prompt designation of a groundwater sustainability agency. If agreement is reached involving a material change from the information in the posted notice, a new notification shall be submitted under subdivision (a) and the department shall post notice under subdivision (b).

(d) Except as provided in subdivisions (e) and (f), after the decision to be a groundwater sustainability agency takes effect, the groundwater sustainability agency shall be presumed to be the exclusive groundwater sustainability agency within the area of the basin within the service area of the local agency that the local agency is managing as described in the notice.

(e) A groundwater sustainability agency may withdraw from managing a basin by notifying the department in writing of its intent to withdraw.

(f) This section does not preclude the board from taking an action pursuant to Section 10735.6.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 8. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)

division: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES

chapter: 4. Establishing Groundwater Sustainability Agencies


text:
(a) In the event that there is an area within a high- or medium-priority basin that is not within the management area of a groundwater sustainability agency, the county within which that unmanaged area lies will be presumed to be the groundwater sustainability agency for that area.

(b) A county described in subdivision (a) shall provide notification to the department pursuant to Section 10723.8 unless the county notifies the department that it will not be the groundwater sustainability agency for the area. Extractions of groundwater made on or after July 1, 2017, in that area shall be subject to reporting in accordance with Part 5.2 (commencing with Section 5200) of Division 2 if the county does either of the following:

(1) Notifies the department that it will not be the groundwater sustainability agency for an area.

(2) Fails to provide notification to the department pursuant to Section 10723.8 for an area on or before June 30, 2017.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 9. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
No later than January 1, 2026, each groundwater sustainability agency shall do both of the following:

(a) Publish on its internet website or its local agency’s internet website the membership of its board of directors.

(b) Publish on its internet website or its local agency’s internet website an electronic link to the location on the Fair Political Practices Commission’s internet website where the statements of economic interests, filed pursuant to Section 87200.5 of the Government Code by the members of the groundwater sustainability agency’s board of directors and executives, can be viewed.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 359, Sec. 1. (AB 293) Effective January 1, 2026.)


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency may exercise any of the powers described in this chapter in implementing this part, in addition to, and not as a limitation on, any existing authority, if the groundwater sustainability agency adopts and submits to the department a groundwater sustainability plan or prescribed alternative documentation in accordance with Section 10733.6.

(b) A groundwater sustainability agency has and may use the powers in this chapter to provide the maximum degree of local control and flexibility consistent with the sustainability goals of this part.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 346, Sec. 3. (SB 1168) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 5. Powers and Authorities

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 5. Powers and Authorities


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency may perform any act necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this part.

(b) A groundwater sustainability agency may adopt rules, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions for the purpose of this part, in compliance with any procedural requirements applicable to the adoption of a rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution by the groundwater sustainability agency.

(c) In addition to any other applicable procedural requirements, the groundwater sustainability agency shall provide notice of the proposed adoption of the groundwater sustainability plan on its Internet Web site and provide for electronic notice to any person who requests electronic notification.


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency may conduct an investigation for the purposes of this part, including, but not limited to, investigations for the following:

(1) To determine the need for groundwater management.

(2) To prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.

(3) To propose and update fees.

(4) To monitor compliance and enforcement.

(b) An investigation may include surface waters and surface water rights as well as groundwater and groundwater rights.

(c) In connection with an investigation, a groundwater sustainability agency may inspect the property or facilities of a person or entity to ascertain whether the purposes of this part are being met and compliance with this part. The local agency may conduct an inspection pursuant to this section upon obtaining any necessary consent or obtaining an inspection warrant pursuant to the procedure set forth in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure.


text: A groundwater sustainability agency may require registration of a groundwater extraction facility within the management area of the groundwater sustainability agency.


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency may require through its groundwater sustainability plan that the use of every groundwater extraction facility within the management area of the groundwater sustainability agency be measured by a water-measuring device satisfactory to the groundwater sustainability agency.

(b) All costs associated with the purchase and installation of the water-measuring device shall be borne by the owner or operator of each groundwater extraction facility. The water-measuring devices shall be installed by the groundwater sustainability agency or, at the groundwater sustainability agency’s option, by the owner or operator of the groundwater extraction facility. Water-measuring devices shall be calibrated on a reasonable schedule as may be determined by the groundwater sustainability agency.

(c) A groundwater sustainability agency may require, through its groundwater sustainability plan, that the owner or operator of a groundwater extraction facility within the groundwater sustainability agency file an annual statement with the groundwater sustainability agency setting forth the total extraction in acre-feet of groundwater from the facility during the previous water year.

(d) In addition to the measurement of groundwater extractions pursuant to subdivision (a), a groundwater sustainability agency may use any other reasonable method to determine groundwater extraction.

(e) This section does not apply to de minimis extractors.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 551. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text: An entity within the area of a groundwater sustainability plan shall report the diversion of surface water to underground storage to the groundwater sustainability agency for the relevant portion of the basin.


text:
A groundwater sustainability agency may do the following:

(a) Acquire by grant, purchase, lease, gift, devise, contract, construction, or otherwise, and hold, use, enjoy, sell, let, and dispose of, real and personal property of every kind, including lands, water rights, structures, buildings, rights-of-way, easements, and privileges, and construct, maintain, alter, and operate any and all works or improvements, within or outside the agency, necessary or proper to carry out any of the purposes of this part.

(b) Appropriate and acquire surface water or groundwater and surface water or groundwater rights, import surface water or groundwater into the agency, and conserve and store within or outside the agency that water for any purpose necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this part, including, but not limited to, the spreading, storing, retaining, or percolating into the soil of the waters for subsequent use or in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 10727.2. As part of this authority, the agency shall not alter another person’s or agency’s existing groundwater conjunctive use or storage program except upon a finding that the conjunctive use or storage program interferes with implementation of the agency’s groundwater sustainability plan.

(c) Provide for a program of voluntary fallowing of agricultural lands or validate an existing program.

(d) Perform any acts necessary or proper to enable the agency to purchase, transfer, deliver, or exchange water or water rights of any type with any person that may be necessary or proper to carry out any of the purposes of this part, including, but not limited to, providing surface water in exchange for a groundwater extractor’s agreement to reduce or cease groundwater extractions. The agency shall not deliver retail water supplies within the service area of a public water system without either the consent of that system or authority under the agency’s existing authorities.

(e) Transport, reclaim, purify, desalinate, treat, or otherwise manage and control polluted water, wastewater, or other waters for subsequent use in a manner that is necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this part.

(f) Commence, maintain, intervene in, defend, compromise, and assume the cost and expenses of any and all actions and proceedings.


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency shall have the following additional authority and may regulate groundwater extraction using that authority:

(1) To impose spacing requirements on new groundwater well construction to minimize well interference and impose reasonable operating regulations on existing groundwater wells to minimize well interference, including requiring extractors to operate on a rotation basis.

(2) To control groundwater extractions by regulating, limiting, or suspending extractions from individual groundwater wells or extractions from groundwater wells in the aggregate, construction of new groundwater wells, enlargement of existing groundwater wells, or reactivation of abandoned groundwater wells, or otherwise establishing groundwater extraction allocations. Those actions shall be consistent with the applicable elements of the city or county general plan, unless there is insufficient sustainable yield in the basin to serve a land use designated in the city or county general plan. A limitation on extractions by a groundwater sustainability agency shall not be construed to be a final determination of rights to extract groundwater from the basin or any portion of the basin.

(3) To authorize temporary and permanent transfers of groundwater extraction allocations within the agency’s boundaries, if the total quantity of groundwater extracted in any water year is consistent with the provisions of the groundwater sustainability plan. The transfer is subject to applicable city and county ordinances.

(4) To establish accounting rules to allow unused groundwater extraction allocations issued by the agency to be carried over from one year to another and voluntarily transferred, if the total quantity of groundwater extracted in any five-year period is consistent with the provisions of the groundwater sustainability plan.

(b) This section does not authorize a groundwater sustainability agency to issue permits for the construction, modification, or abandonment of groundwater wells, except as authorized by a county with authority to issue those permits. A groundwater sustainability agency may request of the county, and the county shall consider, that the county forward permit requests for the construction of new groundwater wells, the enlarging of existing groundwater wells, and the reactivation of abandoned groundwater wells to the groundwater sustainability agency before permit approval.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 346) by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 12. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text: In addition to any other authority granted to a groundwater sustainability agency by this part or other law, a groundwater sustainability agency may enter into written agreements and funding with a private party to assist in, or facilitate the implementation of, a groundwater sustainability plan or any elements of the plan.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 666, Sec. 3. (AB 617) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency that adopts a groundwater sustainability plan may file an action to determine the validity of the plan pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 860) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure no sooner than 180 days following the adoption of the plan.

(b) Subject to Sections 394 and 397 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the venue for an action pursuant to this section shall be the county in which the principal office of the groundwater management agency is located.

(c) Any judicial action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void, or annul the ordinance or resolution imposing a new, or increasing an existing, fee imposed pursuant to Section 10730, 10730.2, or 10730.4 shall be commenced within 180 days following the adoption of the ordinance or resolution.

(d) Any person may pay a fee imposed pursuant to Section 10730, 10730.2, or 10730.4 under protest and bring an action against the governing body in the superior court to recover any money that the governing body refuses to refund. Payments made and actions brought under this section shall be made and brought in the manner provided for the payment of taxes under protest and actions for refund of that payment in Article 2 (commencing with Section 5140) of Chapter 5 of Part 9 of Division 1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as applicable.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, actions by a groundwater sustainability agency are subject to judicial review pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure.


text:
(a) This part is in addition to, and not a limitation on, the authority granted to a local agency under any other law. The local agency may use the local agency’s authority under any other law to apply and enforce any requirements of this part, including, but not limited to, the collection of fees.

(b) Nothing in this part shall be construed as authorizing a local agency to make a binding determination of the water rights of any person or entity, or to impose fees or regulatory requirements on activities outside the boundaries of the local agency.

(c) Nothing in this part is a limitation on the authority of the board, the department, or the State Department of Public Health.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 6103 of the Government Code, a state or local agency that extracts groundwater shall be subject to a fee imposed under this part to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity.

(e) Except as provided in subdivision (d), this part does not authorize a local agency to impose any requirement on the state or any agency, department, or officer of the state. State agencies and departments shall work cooperatively with a local agency on a voluntary basis.

(f) Nothing in this chapter or a groundwater sustainability plan shall be interpreted as superseding the land use authority of cities and counties, including the city or county general plan, within the overlying basin.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 10. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text: A groundwater sustainability plan shall take into account the most recent planning assumptions stated in local general plans of jurisdictions overlying the basin.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 14. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability plan shall be developed and implemented for each medium- or high-priority basin by a groundwater sustainability agency to meet the sustainability goal established pursuant to this part. The groundwater sustainability plan may incorporate, extend, or be based on a plan adopted pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750).

(b) A groundwater sustainability plan may be any of the following:

(1) A single plan covering the entire basin developed and implemented by one groundwater sustainability agency.

(2) A single plan covering the entire basin developed and implemented by multiple groundwater sustainability agencies.

(3) Subject to Section 10727.6, multiple plans implemented by multiple groundwater sustainability agencies and coordinated pursuant to a single coordination agreement that covers the entire basin.

chapter: 6. Groundwater Sustainability Plans

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 6. Groundwater Sustainability Plans


text:
A groundwater sustainability plan shall include all of the following:

(a) A description of the physical setting and characteristics of the aquifer system underlying the basin that includes the following:

(1) Historical data, to the extent available.

(2) Groundwater levels, groundwater quality, subsidence, and groundwater-surface water interaction.

(3) A general discussion of historical and projected water demands and supplies.

(4) A map that details the area of the basin and the boundaries of the groundwater sustainability agencies that overlie the basin that have or are developing groundwater sustainability plans.

(5) A map identifying existing and potential recharge areas for the basin. The map or maps shall identify the existing recharge areas that substantially contribute to the replenishment of the groundwater basin. The map or maps shall be provided to the appropriate local planning agencies after adoption of the groundwater sustainability plan.

(b) (1) Measurable objectives, as well as interim milestones in increments of five years, to achieve the sustainability goal in the basin within 20 years of the implementation of the plan.

(2) A description of how the plan helps meet each objective and how each objective is intended to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin for long-term beneficial uses of groundwater.

(3) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), at the request of the groundwater sustainability agency, the department may grant an extension of up to 5 years beyond the 20-year sustainability timeframe upon a showing of good cause. The department may grant a second extension of up to five years upon a showing of good cause if the groundwater sustainability agency has begun implementation of the work plan described in clause (iii) of subparagraph (B).

(B) The department may grant an extension pursuant to this paragraph if the groundwater sustainability agency does all of the following:

(i) Demonstrates a need for an extension.

(ii) Has made progress toward meeting the sustainability goal as demonstrated by its progress at achieving the milestones identified in its groundwater sustainability plan.

(iii) Adopts a feasible work plan for meeting the sustainability goal during the extension period.

(4) The plan may, but is not required to, address undesirable results that occurred before, and have not been corrected by, January 1, 2015. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, a groundwater sustainability agency has discretion as to whether to set measurable objectives and the timeframes for achieving any objectives for undesirable results that occurred before, and have not been corrected by, January 1, 2015.

(c) A planning and implementation horizon.

(d) Components relating to the following, as applicable to the basin:

(1) The monitoring and management of groundwater levels within the basin.

(2) The monitoring and management of groundwater quality, groundwater quality degradation, inelastic land surface subsidence, and changes in surface flow and surface water quality that directly affect groundwater levels or quality or are caused by groundwater extraction in the basin.

(3) Mitigation of overdraft.

(4) How recharge areas identified in the plan substantially contribute to the replenishment of the basin.

(5) A description of surface water supply used or available for use for groundwater recharge or in-lieu use.

(e) A summary of the type of monitoring sites, type of measurements, and the frequency of monitoring for each location monitoring groundwater levels, groundwater quality, subsidence, streamflow, precipitation, evaporation, and tidal influence. The plan shall include a summary of monitoring information such as well depth, screened intervals, and aquifer zones monitored, and a summary of the type of well relied on for the information, including public, irrigation, domestic, industrial, and monitoring wells.

(f) Monitoring protocols that are designed to detect changes in groundwater levels, groundwater quality, inelastic surface subsidence for basins for which subsidence has been identified as a potential problem, and flow and quality of surface water that directly affect groundwater levels or quality or are caused by groundwater extraction in the basin. The monitoring protocols shall be designed to generate information that promotes efficient and effective groundwater management.

(g) A description of the consideration given to the applicable county and city general plans and a description of the various adopted water resources-related plans and programs within the basin and an assessment of how the groundwater sustainability plan may affect those plans.


text:
In addition to the requirements of Section 10727.2, a groundwater sustainability plan shall include, where appropriate and in collaboration with the appropriate local agencies, all of the following:

(a) Control of saline water intrusion.

(b) Wellhead protection areas and recharge areas.

(c) Migration of contaminated groundwater.

(d) A well abandonment and well destruction program.

(e) Replenishment of groundwater extractions.

(f) Activities implementing, opportunities for, and removing impediments to, conjunctive use or underground storage.

(g) Well construction policies.

(h) Measures addressing groundwater contamination cleanup, groundwater recharge, in-lieu use, diversions to storage, conservation, water recycling, conveyance, and extraction projects.

(i) Efficient water management practices, as defined in Section 10902, for the delivery of water and water conservation methods to improve the efficiency of water use.

(j) Efforts to develop relationships with state and federal regulatory agencies.

(k) Processes to review land use plans and efforts to coordinate with land use planning agencies to assess activities that potentially create risks to groundwater quality or quantity.

(l) Impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 666, Sec. 4. (AB 617) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
Groundwater sustainability agencies intending to develop and implement multiple groundwater sustainability plans pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 10727 shall coordinate with other agencies preparing a groundwater sustainability plan within the basin to ensure that the plans utilize the same data and methodologies for the following assumptions in developing the plan:

(a) Groundwater elevation data.

(b) Groundwater extraction data.

(c) Surface water supply.

(d) Total water use.

(e) Change in groundwater storage.

(f) Water budget.

(g) Sustainable yield.


text:
(a) Prior to initiating the development of a groundwater sustainability plan, the groundwater sustainability agency shall make available to the public and the department a written statement describing the manner in which interested parties may participate in the development and implementation of the groundwater sustainability plan. The groundwater sustainability agency shall provide the written statement to the legislative body of any city, county, or city and county located within the geographic area to be covered by the plan. The groundwater sustainability agency may appoint and consult with an advisory committee consisting of interested parties for the purposes of developing and implementing a groundwater sustainability plan. The groundwater sustainability agency shall encourage the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the groundwater basin prior to and during the development and implementation of the groundwater sustainability plan. If the geographic area to be covered by the plan includes a public water system regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, the groundwater sustainability agency shall provide the written statement to the commission.

(b) For purposes of this section, interested parties include entities listed in Section 10927 that are monitoring and reporting groundwater elevations in all or a part of a groundwater basin managed by the groundwater sustainability agency.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 666, Sec. 5. (AB 617) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
On the April 1 following the adoption of a groundwater sustainability plan and annually thereafter, a groundwater sustainability agency shall submit a report to the department containing the following information about the basin managed in the groundwater sustainability plan:

(a) Groundwater elevation data.

(b) Annual aggregated data identifying groundwater extraction for the preceding water year.

(c) Surface water supply used for or available for use for groundwater recharge or in-lieu use.

(d) Total water use.

(e) Change in groundwater storage.


text: A groundwater sustainability agency shall periodically evaluate its groundwater sustainability plan, assess changing conditions in the basin that may warrant modification of the plan or management objectives, and may adjust components in the plan. An evaluation of the plan shall focus on determining whether the actions under the plan are meeting the plan’s management objectives and whether those objectives are meeting the sustainability goal in the basin.


text: A groundwater sustainability agency may adopt or amend a groundwater sustainability plan after a public hearing, held at least 90 days after providing notice to a city or county within the area of the proposed plan or amendment. The groundwater sustainability agency shall review and consider comments from any city or county that receives notice pursuant to this section and shall consult with a city or county that requests consultation within 30 days of receipt of the notice. Nothing in this section is intended to preclude an agency and a city or county from otherwise consulting or commenting regarding the adoption or amendment of a plan.


text: Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code does not apply to the preparation and adoption of plans pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this part shall be interpreted as exempting from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code a project that would implement actions taken pursuant to a plan adopted pursuant to this chapter.


text:
(a) The department or a groundwater sustainability agency may provide technical assistance to entities that extract or use groundwater to promote water conservation and protect groundwater resources.

(b) The department may provide technical assistance to any groundwater sustainability agency in response to that agency’s request for assistance in the development and implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan. The department shall use its best efforts to provide the requested assistance.

(c) The department shall prepare and publish a report by December 31, 2016, on its Internet Web site that presents the department’s best estimate, based on available information, of water available for replenishment of groundwater in the state.

(d) (1) By January 1, 2017, the department shall publish on its Internet Web site best management practices for the sustainable management of groundwater.

(2) The department shall develop the best management practices through a public process involving one public meeting conducted at a location in northern California, one public meeting conducted at a location in the San Joaquin Valley, one public meeting conducted at a location in southern California, and one public meeting of the California Water Commission.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 15. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 7. Technical Assistance

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 7. Technical Assistance


text: With the exception of regulations required by Sections 10722.2 and 10733.2, a guideline, criterion, bulletin, or other technical or procedural analysis or guidance prepared by the department as required by this part is not subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 11. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency may impose fees, including, but not limited to, permit fees and fees on groundwater extraction or other regulated activity, to fund the costs of a groundwater sustainability program, including, but not limited to, preparation, adoption, and amendment of a groundwater sustainability plan, and investigations, inspections, compliance assistance, enforcement, and program administration, including a prudent reserve. A groundwater sustainability agency shall not impose a fee pursuant to this subdivision on a de minimis extractor unless the agency has regulated the users pursuant to this part.

(b) (1) Prior to imposing or increasing a fee, a groundwater sustainability agency shall hold at least one public meeting, at which oral or written presentations may be made as part of the meeting.

(2) Notice of the time and place of the meeting shall include a general explanation of the matter to be considered and a statement that the data required by this section is available. The notice shall be provided by publication pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code, by posting notice on the Internet Web site of the groundwater sustainability agency, and by mail to any interested party who files a written request with the agency for mailed notice of the meeting on new or increased fees. A written request for mailed notices shall be valid for one year from the date that the request is made and may be renewed by making a written request on or before April 1 of each year.

(3) At least 20 days prior to the meeting, the groundwater sustainability agency shall make available to the public data upon which the proposed fee is based.

(c) Any action by a groundwater sustainability agency to impose or increase a fee shall be taken only by ordinance or resolution.

(d) (1) As an alternative method for the collection of fees imposed pursuant to this section, a groundwater sustainability agency may adopt a resolution requesting collection of the fees in the same manner as ordinary municipal ad valorem taxes.

(2) A resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be adopted and furnished to the county auditor-controller and board of supervisors on or before August 1 of each year that the alternative collection of the fees is being requested. The resolution shall include a list of parcels and the amount to be collected for each parcel.

(e) The power granted by this section is in addition to any powers a groundwater sustainability agency has under any other law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 667, Sec. 2. (AB 939) Effective January 1, 2016.)

chapter: 8. Financial Authority

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 8. Financial Authority


text: A groundwater sustainability agency, before imposing or increasing a fee pursuant to Section 10730 or 10730.2 relating to a groundwater basin that includes a water corporation regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, shall notify the Public Utilities Commission.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 139, Sec. 1. (AB 2874) Effective January 1, 2017.)


text:
(a) A groundwater sustainability agency that adopts a groundwater sustainability plan pursuant to this part may impose fees on the extraction of groundwater from the basin to fund costs of groundwater management, including, but not limited to, the costs of the following:

(1) Administration, operation, and maintenance, including a prudent reserve.

(2) Acquisition of lands or other property, facilities, and services.

(3) Supply, production, treatment, or distribution of water.

(4) Other activities necessary or convenient to implement the plan.

(b) Until a groundwater sustainability plan is adopted pursuant to this part, a local agency may impose fees in accordance with the procedures provided in this section for the purposes of Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750) as long as a groundwater management plan adopted before January 1, 2015, is in effect.

(c) Fees imposed pursuant to this section shall be adopted in accordance with subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 6 of Article XIII D of the California Constitution.

(d) Fees imposed pursuant to this section may include fixed fees and fees charged on a volumetric basis, including, but not limited to, fees that increase based on the quantity of groundwater produced annually, the year in which the production of groundwater commenced from a groundwater extraction facility, and impacts to the basin.

(e) The power granted by this section is in addition to any powers a groundwater sustainability agency has under any other law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 12. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text: A groundwater sustainability agency may fund activities pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750) and may impose fees pursuant to Section 10730.2 to fund activities undertaken by the agency pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 16. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) A groundwater fee levied pursuant to this chapter shall be due and payable to the groundwater sustainability agency by each owner or operator on a day established by the groundwater sustainability agency.

(b) If an owner or operator knowingly fails to pay a groundwater fee within 30 days of it becoming due, the owner or operator shall be liable to the groundwater sustainability agency for interest at the rate of 1 percent per month on the delinquent amount of the groundwater fee and a 10-percent penalty.

(c) The groundwater sustainability agency may bring a suit in the court having jurisdiction against any owner or operator of a groundwater extraction facility within the area covered by the plan for the collection of any delinquent groundwater fees, interest, or penalties imposed under this chapter. If the groundwater sustainability agency seeks an attachment against the property of any named defendant in the suit, the groundwater sustainability agency shall not be required to furnish a bond or other undertaking as provided in Title 6.5 (commencing with Section 481.010) of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(d) In the alternative to bringing a suit pursuant to subdivision (c), a groundwater sustainability agency may collect any delinquent groundwater charge and any civil penalties and interest on the delinquent groundwater charge pursuant to the laws applicable to the local agency or, if a joint powers authority, to the entity designated pursuant to Section 6509 of the Government Code. The collection shall be in the same manner as it would be applicable to the collection of delinquent assessments, water charges, or tolls.

(e) As an additional remedy, a groundwater sustainability agency, after a public hearing, may order an owner or operator to cease extraction of groundwater until all delinquent fees are paid. The groundwater sustainability agency shall give notice to the owner or operator by certified mail not less than 15 days in advance of the public hearing.

(f) The remedies specified in this section for collecting and enforcing fees are cumulative and may be pursued alternatively or may be used consecutively as determined by the governing body.


text:
(a) Nothing in this chapter shall affect or interfere with the authority of a groundwater sustainability agency to levy and collect taxes, assessments, charges, and tolls as otherwise provided by law.

(b) Personal information included in a report or record pursuant to this chapter has the same protection from disclosure as is provided for information concerning utility customers of local agencies pursuant to Section 7927.410 of the Government Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 431. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Section 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)


text:
(a) Following an investigation pursuant to Section 10725.4, the governing body may make a determination fixing the amount of groundwater production from the groundwater extraction facility at an amount not to exceed the maximum production capacity of the facility for purposes of levying a groundwater charge. If a water-measuring device is permanently attached to the groundwater extraction facility, the record of production as disclosed by the water-measuring device shall be presumed to be accurate unless the contrary is established by the groundwater sustainability agency after investigation.

(b) After the governing body makes a determination fixing the amount of groundwater production pursuant to subdivision (a), a written notice of the determination shall be mailed to the owner or operator of the groundwater extraction facility at the address as shown by the groundwater sustainability agency’s records. A determination made by the governing body shall be conclusive on the owner or operator and the groundwater charges, based on the determination together with any interest and penalties, shall be payable immediately unless within 20 days after the mailing of the notice the owner or operator files with the governing body a written protest setting forth the ground for protesting the amount of production or the groundwater charges, interest, and penalties. If a protest is filed pursuant to this subdivision, the governing body shall hold a hearing to determine the total amount of the groundwater production and the groundwater charges, interest, and penalties. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed to each protestant at least 20 days before the date fixed for the hearing. Notice of the determination of the governing body hearing shall be mailed to each protestant. The owner or operator shall have 20 days from the date of mailing of the determination to pay the groundwater charges, interest, and penalties determined by the governing body.


text:
(a) (1) A person who extracts groundwater in excess of the amount that person is authorized to extract under a rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution adopted pursuant to Section 10725.2, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per acre-foot extracted in excess of the amount that person is authorized to extract. Liability under this subdivision is in addition to any liability imposed under paragraph (2) and any fee imposed for the extraction.

(2) A person who violates any rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution adopted pursuant to Section 10725.2 shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) plus one hundred dollars ($100) for each additional day on which the violation continues if the person fails to comply within 30 days after the local agency has notified the person of the violation.

(b) (1) A groundwater sustainability agency may bring an action in the superior court to determine whether a violation occurred and to impose a civil penalty described in subdivision (a).

(2) A groundwater sustainability agency may administratively impose a civil penalty described in subdivision (a) after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

(3) In determining the amount of the penalty, the superior court or the groundwater sustainability agency shall take into consideration all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the nature and persistence of the violation, the extent of the harm caused by the violation, the length of time over which the violation occurs, and any corrective action taken by the violator.

(c) A penalty imposed pursuant to this section shall be paid to the groundwater sustainability agency and shall be expended solely for purposes of this part.

(d) Penalties imposed pursuant to this section are in addition to any civil penalty or criminal fine under any other law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 17. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 9. Groundwater Sustainability Agency Enforcement Powers


text: If a groundwater sustainability agency finds that a state entity is not working cooperatively regarding implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan, the groundwater sustainability agency may file notice with the board regarding its finding. The board shall notice proceedings to investigate the finding of the groundwater sustainability agency. If the board determines that the failure of the state entity to work cooperatively regarding implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan compromises the ability of the groundwater sustainability agency to implement the plan in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal, the board may direct the state entity to cooperate in the implementation of the groundwater sustainability plan unless the state entity indicates its authority for not complying with a groundwater sustainability plan in the same manner as subdivision (f) of Section 10735.8.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 666, Sec. 6. (AB 617) Effective January 1, 2016.)

chapter: 9. Groundwater Sustainability Agency Enforcement Powers


text:
(a) The department shall periodically review the groundwater sustainability plans developed by groundwater sustainability agencies pursuant to this part to evaluate whether a plan conforms with Sections 10727.2 and 10727.4 and is likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the groundwater sustainability plan.

(b) If a groundwater sustainability agency develops multiple groundwater sustainability plans for a basin, the department shall evaluate whether the plans conform with Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6 and are together likely to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin covered by the groundwater sustainability plans.

(c) The department shall evaluate whether a groundwater sustainability plan adversely affects the ability of an adjacent basin to implement their groundwater sustainability plan or impedes achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 18. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 10. State Evaluation and Assessment

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 10. State Evaluation and Assessment


text:
(a) (1) By June 1, 2016, the department shall adopt regulations for evaluating groundwater sustainability plans, the implementation of groundwater sustainability plans, and coordination agreements pursuant to this chapter.

(2) The regulations shall identify the necessary plan components specified in Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6 and other information that will assist local agencies in developing and implementing groundwater sustainability plans and coordination agreements.

(b) (1) The department may update the regulations, including to incorporate the best management practices identified pursuant to Section 10729.

(2) The regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall identify appropriate methodologies and assumptions for baseline conditions concerning hydrology, water demand, regulatory restrictions that affect the availability of surface water, and unreliability of, or reductions in, surface water deliveries to the agency or water users in the basin, and the impact of those conditions on achieving sustainability. The baseline for measuring unreliability and reductions shall include the historic average reliability and deliveries of surface water to the agency or water users in the basin.

(c) By June 1, 2016, the department shall adopt regulations for evaluating alternatives submitted pursuant to Section 10733.6.

(d) The department shall adopt the regulations, including any amendments thereto, authorized by this section as emergency regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The adoption of these regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare. Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act, emergency regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section shall not be subject to review by the Office of Administrative Law and shall remain in effect until revised by the department.

(e) Before adopting the regulations pursuant to this section, the department shall conduct three public meetings to consider public comments. The department shall publish the draft regulations on its Internet Web site at least 30 days before the public meetings. One meeting shall be conducted at a location in northern California, one meeting shall be conducted at a location in the central valley of California, and one meeting shall be conducted at a location in southern California.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 13. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) Upon adoption of a groundwater sustainability plan, a groundwater sustainability agency shall submit the groundwater sustainability plan to the department for review pursuant to this chapter.

(b) If groundwater sustainability agencies develop multiple groundwater sustainability plans for a basin, the submission required by subdivision (a) shall not occur until the entire basin is covered by groundwater sustainability plans. When the entire basin is covered by groundwater sustainability plans, the groundwater sustainability agencies shall jointly submit to the department all of the following:

(1) The groundwater sustainability plans.

(2) An explanation of how the groundwater sustainability plans implemented together satisfy Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10727.6 for the entire basin.

(3) A copy of the coordination agreement between the groundwater sustainability agencies to ensure the coordinated implementation of the groundwater sustainability plans for the entire basin.

(c) Upon receipt of a groundwater sustainability plan, the department shall post the plan on the department’s internet website and provide 60 days for persons to submit comments to the department about the plan.

(d) The department shall evaluate the groundwater sustainability plan within two years of its submission by a groundwater sustainability agency and issue an assessment of the plan. The assessment may include recommended corrective actions to address any deficiencies identified by the department.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a groundwater sustainability agency from implementing a groundwater sustainability plan prior to evaluation and assessment of the groundwater sustainability plan by the department.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit groundwater sustainability agencies that have developed multiple groundwater sustainability plans for a basin from amending the coordination agreement following department issuance of an assessment of the plans.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 439, Sec. 1. (AB 709) Effective January 1, 2026.)


text:
(a) If a local agency believes that an alternative described in subdivision (b) satisfies the objectives of this part, the local agency may submit the alternative to the department for evaluation and assessment of whether the alternative satisfies the objectives of this part for the basin.

(b) An alternative is any of the following:

(1) A plan developed pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750) or other law authorizing groundwater management.

(2) Management pursuant to an adjudication action.

(3) An analysis of basin conditions that demonstrates that the basin has operated within its sustainable yield over a period of at least 10 years. The submission of an alternative described by this paragraph shall include a report prepared by a registered professional engineer or geologist who is licensed by the state and submitted under that engineer’s or geologist’s seal.

(c) A local agency shall submit an alternative pursuant to this section no later than January 1, 2017, and every five years thereafter.

(d) The assessment required by subdivision (a) shall include an assessment of whether the alternative is within a basin that is in compliance with Part 2.11 (commencing with Section 10920). If the alternative is within a basin that is not in compliance with Part 2.11 (commencing with Section 10920), the department shall find the alternative does not satisfy the objectives of this part.


text: At least every five years after initial submission of a plan pursuant to Section 10733.4, the department shall review any available groundwater sustainability plan or alternative submitted in accordance with Section 10733.6, and the implementation of the corresponding groundwater sustainability program for consistency with this part, including achieving the sustainability goal. The department shall issue an assessment for each basin for which a plan or alternative has been submitted in accordance with this chapter, with an emphasis on assessing progress in achieving the sustainability goal within the basin. The assessment may include recommended corrective actions to address any deficiencies identified by the department.


text:
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Condition of long-term overdraft” means the condition of a groundwater basin where the average annual amount of water extracted for a long-term period, generally 10 years or more, exceeds the long-term average annual supply of water to the basin, plus any temporary surplus. Overdraft during a period of drought is not sufficient to establish a condition of long-term overdraft if extractions and recharge are managed as necessary to ensure that reductions in groundwater levels or storage during a period of drought are offset by increases in groundwater levels or storage during other periods.

(b) “Person” means any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, trust, corporation, limited liability company, or public agency, including any city, county, city and county, district, joint powers authority, state, or any agency or department of those entities. “Person” includes, to the extent authorized by federal or tribal law and subject to the limitations described in subdivisions (c) and (d) of Section 10720.3, the United States, a department, agency or instrumentality of the federal government, an Indian tribe, an authorized Indian tribal organization, or interstate body.

(c) “Probationary basin” means a basin for which the board has issued a determination under Section 10735.2.

(d) “Significant depletions of interconnected surface waters” means reductions in flow or levels of surface water that is hydrologically connected to the basin such that the reduced surface water flow or levels have a significant and unreasonable adverse impact on beneficial uses of the surface water.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347, Sec. 19. (AB 1739) Effective January 1, 2015.)

chapter: 11. State Intervention

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 11. State Intervention


text:
(a) The board, after notice and a public hearing, may designate a high- or medium-priority basin as a probationary basin, if the board finds one or more of the following applies to the basin:

(1) After June 30, 2017, none of the following have occurred:

(A) A local agency has decided to become a groundwater sustainability agency that intends to develop a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(B) A collection of local agencies has formed a groundwater sustainability agency or prepared agreements to develop one or more groundwater sustainability plans that will collectively serve as a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(C) A local agency has submitted an alternative that has been approved or is pending approval pursuant to Section 10733.6. If the department disapproves an alternative pursuant to Section 10733.6, the board shall not act under this paragraph until at least 180 days after the department disapproved the alternative.

(2) The basin is subject to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10720.7, and after January 31, 2020, none of the following have occurred:

(A) A groundwater sustainability agency has adopted a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(B) A collection of local agencies has adopted groundwater sustainability plans that collectively serve as a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(C) The department has approved an alternative pursuant to Section 10733.6.

(3) The basin is subject to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 10720.7 and after January 31, 2020, the department, in consultation with the board, determines that a groundwater sustainability plan is inadequate or that the groundwater sustainability program is not being implemented in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal.

(4) The basin is subject to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10720.7, and after January 31, 2022, none of the following have occurred:

(A) A groundwater sustainability agency has adopted a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(B) A collection of local agencies has adopted groundwater sustainability plans that collectively serve as a groundwater sustainability plan for the entire basin.

(C) The department has approved an alternative pursuant to Section 10733.6.

(5) The basin is subject to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10720.7, and either of the following have occurred:

(A) After January 31, 2022, both of the following have occurred:

(i) The department, in consultation with the board, determines that a groundwater sustainability plan is inadequate or that the groundwater sustainability plan is not being implemented in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal.

(ii) The board determines that the basin is in a condition of long-term overdraft.

(B) After January 31, 2025, both of the following have occurred:

(i) The department, in consultation with the board, determines that a groundwater sustainability plan is inadequate or that the groundwater sustainability plan is not being implemented in a manner that will likely achieve the sustainability goal.

(ii) The board determines that the basin is in a condition where groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters.

(b) In making the findings associated with paragraph (3) or (5) of subdivision (a), the department and board may rely on periodic assessments the department has prepared pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 10733). The board may request that the department conduct additional assessments utilizing the regulations developed pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 10733) and make determinations pursuant to this section. The board shall post on its Internet Web site and provide at least 30 days for the public to comment on any determinations provided by the department pursuant to this subdivision.

(c) (1)   The determination may exclude a class or category of extractions from the requirement for reporting pursuant to Part 5.2 (commencing with Section 5200) of Division 2 if those extractions are subject to a local plan or program that adequately manages groundwater within the portion of the basin to which that plan or program applies, or if those extractions are likely to have a minimal impact on basin withdrawals.

(2) The determination may require reporting of a class or category of extractions that would otherwise be exempt from reporting pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 5202 if those extractions are likely to have a substantial impact on basin withdrawals or requiring reporting of those extractions is reasonably necessary to obtain information for purposes of this chapter.

(3) The determination may establish requirements for information required to be included in reports of groundwater extraction, for installation of measuring devices, or for use of a methodology, measuring device, or both, pursuant to Part 5.2 (commencing with Section 5200) of Division 2.

(4) The determination may modify the water year or reporting date for a report of groundwater extraction pursuant to Section 5202.

(d) If the board finds that litigation challenging the formation of a groundwater sustainability agency prevented its formation before July 1, 2017, pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) or prevented a groundwater sustainability program from being implemented in a manner likely to achieve the sustainability goal pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (a), the board shall not designate a basin as a probationary basin for a period of time equal to the delay caused by the litigation.

(e) The board shall exclude from probationary status any portion of a basin for which a groundwater sustainability agency demonstrates compliance with the sustainability goal.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 15. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) If the board designates a basin as a probationary basin pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 10735.2, a local agency or groundwater sustainability agency shall have 180 days to remedy the deficiency. The board may appoint a mediator or other facilitator, after consultation with affected local agencies, to assist in resolving disputes, and identifying and implementing actions that will remedy the deficiency.

(b) After the 180-day period provided by subdivision (a), the board may provide additional time to remedy the deficiency if it finds that a local agency is making substantial progress toward remedying the deficiency.

(c) The board may develop an interim plan pursuant to Section 10735.8 for the probationary basin at the end of the period provided by subdivision (a) or any extension provided pursuant to subdivision (b), if the board, in consultation with the department, determines that a local agency has not remedied the deficiency that resulted in designating the basin as a probationary basin.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 16. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) If the board designates a basin as a probationary basin pursuant to paragraph (3) or (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 10735.2, the board shall identify the specific deficiencies and identify potential actions to address the deficiencies. The board may request the department to provide local agencies, within 90 days of the designation of a probationary basin, with technical recommendations to remedy the deficiencies.

(b) The board may develop an interim plan pursuant to Section 10735.8 for the probationary basin one year after the designation of the basin pursuant to paragraph (3) or (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 10735.2, if the board, in consultation with the department, determines that a local agency has not remedied the deficiency that resulted in designating the basin a probationary basin.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 17. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)


text:
(a) The board, after notice and a public hearing, may adopt an interim plan for a probationary basin.

(b) The interim plan shall include all of the following:

(1) Identification of the actions that are necessary to correct a condition of long-term overdraft or a condition where groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters, including recommendations for appropriate action by any person.

(2) A time schedule for the actions to be taken.

(3) A description of the monitoring to be undertaken to determine effectiveness of the plan.

(c) The interim plan may include the following:

(1) Restrictions on groundwater extraction.

(2) A physical solution.

(3) Principles and guidelines for the administration of rights to surface waters that are connected to the basin.

(d) Except as provided in subdivision (e), the interim plan shall be consistent with water right priorities, subject to Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution.

(e) The board shall include in its interim plan a groundwater sustainability plan, or any element of a plan, that the board finds complies with the sustainability goal for that portion of the basin or would help meet the sustainability goal for the basin. Where, in the judgment of the board, an adjudication action can be relied on as part of the interim plan, either throughout the basin or in an area within the basin, the board may rely on, or incorporate elements of, that adjudication into the interim plan adopted by the board.

(f) In carrying out activities that may affect the probationary basin, state entities shall comply with an interim plan adopted by the board pursuant to this section unless otherwise directed or authorized by statute and the state entity shall indicate to the board in writing the authority for not complying with the interim plan.

(g) (1) After the board adopts an interim plan under this section, the board shall determine if a groundwater sustainability plan or an adjudication action is adequate to eliminate the condition of long-term overdraft or condition where groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters, upon petition of either of the following:

(A) A groundwater sustainability agency that has adopted a groundwater sustainability plan for the probationary basin or a portion thereof.

(B) A person authorized to file the petition by a judicial order or decree entered in an adjudication action in the probationary basin.

(2) The board shall act on a petition filed pursuant to paragraph (1) within 90 days after the petition is complete. If the board, in consultation with the department, determines that the groundwater sustainability plan or adjudication action is adequate, the board shall rescind the interim plan adopted by the board for the probationary basin, except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4).

(3) Upon request of the petitioner, the board may amend an interim plan adopted under this section to eliminate portions of the interim plan, while allowing other portions of the interim plan to continue in effect.

(4) The board may decline to rescind an interim plan adopted pursuant to this section if the board determines that the petitioner has not provided adequate assurances that the groundwater sustainability plan or judicial order or decree will be implemented.

(5) This subdivision is not a limitation on the authority of the board to stay its proceedings under this section or to rescind or amend an interim plan adopted pursuant to this section based on the progress made by a groundwater sustainability agency or in an adjudication action, even if the board cannot make a determination of adequacy in accordance with paragraph (1).

(h) Before January 1, 2025, the state board shall not establish an interim plan under this section to remedy a condition where the groundwater extractions result in significant depletions of interconnected surface waters.

(i) The board’s authority to adopt an interim plan under this section does not alter the law establishing water rights priorities or any other authority of the board.

history: (History: Amended (as added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 347) by Stats. 2014, Ch. 348, Sec. 2. (SB 1319) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) The board shall adopt or amend a determination or interim plan under Section 10735.2 or 10735.8 in accordance with procedures for quasi-legislative action.

(b) The board shall provide notice of a hearing described in subdivision (a) of Section 10735.2 or subdivision (a) of Section 10735.8 as follows:

(1) At least 90 days before the hearing, the board shall publish notice of the hearing on its Internet Web site.

(2) At least 90 days before the hearing, the board shall notify the department and each city, county, or city and county in which any part of the basin is situated.

(3) (A) For the purposes of this paragraph, the terms “board-designated local area” and “local agency” have the same meaning as defined in Section 5009.

(B) At least 60 days before the hearing, the board shall mail or send by electronic mail notice to all persons known to the board who extract or who propose to extract water from the basin, or who have made written or electronic mail requests to the board for special notice of hearing pursuant to this part. If any portion of the basin is within a board-designated local area, the records made available to the board by the local agency in accordance with paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 5009 shall include the names and addresses of persons and entities known to the local agency who extract water from the basin, and the board shall mail or send by electronic mail notice to those persons.

(c) The board shall provide notice of proceedings to amend or repeal a determination or plan under Section 10735.2 or 10735.8 as appropriate to the proceedings, taking into account the nature of the proposed revision and the person likely to be affected.

(d) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Government Code does not apply to any action authorized pursuant to Section 10735.2 or 10735.8.

(2) The board may adopt a regulation in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Government Code setting procedures for adopting a determination or plan.

(3) The board may adopt a regulation applying or interpreting this part pursuant to Section 1530 if the board determines that the emergency regulation is reasonably necessary for the allocation, administration, or collection of fees authorized pursuant to Section 1529.5.


text:
(a) Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code does not apply to either of the following:

(1) An action by the board pursuant to Section 10735.2.

(2) The adoption or amendment of an interim plan pursuant to this chapter.

(b) This section shall not be interpreted as exempting from Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) a project that would implement actions taken pursuant to an interim plan adopted pursuant to this chapter.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 60, Sec. 42. (AB 203) Effective June 30, 2022.)


text: The extraction or use of water extracted in violation of an interim plan under this part shall not be relied upon as a basis for establishing the extraction or use of water to support a claim in an action or proceeding for determination of water rights.


text:
(a) The board may order a person that extracts or uses water from a basin that is subject to an investigation or proceeding under this chapter to prepare and submit to the board any technical or monitoring program reports related to that person’s or entity’s extraction or use of water as the board may specify. The costs incurred by the person in the preparation of those reports shall bear a reasonable relationship to the need for the report and the benefit to be obtained from the report. If the preparation of individual reports would result in a duplication of effort, or if the reports are necessary to evaluate the cumulative effect of several diversions or uses of water, the board may order any person subject to this subdivision to pay a reasonable share of the cost of preparing reports.

(b) (1) An order issued pursuant to this section shall be served by personal service or registered mail on the party to submit technical or monitoring program reports or to pay a share of the costs of preparing reports. Unless the board issues the order after a hearing, the order shall inform the party of the right to request a hearing within 30 days after the party has been served. If the party does not request a hearing within that 30-day period, the order shall take effect as issued. If the party requests a hearing within that 30-day period, the board may adopt a decision and order after conducting a hearing.

(2) In lieu of adopting an order directed at named persons in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (1), the board may adopt a regulation applicable to a category or class of persons in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(c) Upon application of a person or upon its own motion, the board may review and revise an order issued or regulation adopted pursuant to this section in accordance with the procedures set forth in subdivision (b).

(d) In conducting an investigation or proceeding pursuant to this part, the board may inspect the property or facilities of a person to ascertain whether the purposes of this part are being met and to ascertain compliance with this part. The board may obtain an inspection warrant pursuant to the procedures set forth in Title 13 (commencing with Section 1822.50) of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure for the purposes of an inspection pursuant to this subdivision.


text: Except as provided in this chapter, an adjudication action to determine rights to groundwater in a basin shall be conducted in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure, including pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 10 of Part 2 of that code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 676, Sec. 5. (SB 226) Effective January 1, 2016.)

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 12. Determination of Rights to Groundwater


text: In an adjudication action for a basin required to have a groundwater sustainability plan under this part, the court shall manage the proceedings in a manner that minimizes interference with the timely completion and implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan, avoids redundancy and unnecessary costs in the development of technical information and a physical solution, and is consistent with the attainment of sustainable groundwater management within the timeframes established by this part.

chapter: 12. Determination of Rights to Groundwater


text:
(a) (1) Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all monitoring and reporting required under all groundwater sustainability plans approved by the department, or submitted to and awaiting approval by the department, for a basin subject to an adjudication, or under any interim plan adopted by the board pursuant to Section 10735.8 for a basin subject to an adjudication, shall continue throughout the duration of the adjudication proceeding.

(2) All groundwater sustainability agencies required to submit reports to the department pursuant to Section 10728 regarding a basin subject to adjudication shall submit copies of the reports to the court during the duration of the adjudication proceeding. The court may order more frequent reporting than the reports required pursuant to Section 10728.

(3) The board shall submit to the court during the duration of the adjudication proceeding the information it receives from a person required to submit monitoring program reports to the board pursuant to Section 10736.6 regarding a basin subject to adjudication. If, during the proceeding, the board prepares a report regarding the subject basin containing information listed in Section 10728, the board shall submit a copy of that report to the court.

(b) (1) Throughout the duration of the adjudication proceeding, a party to the adjudication, and any other person extracting water from the basin, shall comply with the groundwater sustainability plan or plans for the subject basin or the interim plan for the subject basin adopted by the board pursuant to Section 10735.8, except as may be authorized by the court pursuant to Section 847 of the Code of Civil Procedure or other injunctive relief.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, the terms of a groundwater sustainability plan, interim plan, or preliminary injunction shall not determine the rights in a final judgment of the comprehensive adjudication.

(c) Throughout the duration of the adjudication proceeding, a party to the adjudication, and any other person extracting water from the basin, shall not use new or increased groundwater use to establish a new claim of prescription during the proceeding.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 665, Sec. 4. (AB 779) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text:
(a) Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 10735) shall not apply to a judgment approved by the court pursuant to Section 850 of the Code of Civil Procedure if both of the following apply:

(1) A local agency or a party directed by the court to file the submission submits the judgment to the department for evaluation and assessment pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 10733.6.

(2) The department determines that the judgment satisfies the objectives of this part for the basin.

(b) A party or group of parties proposing a stipulated judgment pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 850 of the Code of Civil Procedure may submit the proposed stipulated judgment to the department for evaluation and assessment pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 10733.6.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 10733.6, a judgment or proposed stipulated judgment pursuant to this section may be submitted to the department after January 1, 2017.

(d) A determination of the department on a submission pursuant to this section is subject to judicial review pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Venue shall be in the court with jurisdiction over the adjudication action and the case shall be coordinated with the adjudication action.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 665, Sec. 5. (AB 779) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text: If the department determines that a judgment satisfies the objectives of this part in accordance with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 10737.4, the department shall submit to the court the assessments and any recommended corrective actions that the department issues pursuant to Section 10733.8. The court, after notice and, if necessary, an evidentiary hearing, shall determine whether to amend the judgment pursuant to Section 852 of the Code of Civil Procedure to adopt the department’s recommended corrective actions.


text: In addition to making any findings required by subdivision (a) of Section 850 of the Code of Civil Procedure or any other law, the court shall not approve entry of judgment in an adjudication action for a basin required to have a groundwater sustainability plan under this part unless the court finds that the judgment will not substantially impair the ability of a groundwater sustainability agency, the board, or the department to comply with this part and to achieve sustainable groundwater management.


text:
(a) (1) Upon receiving notice that an adjudication has commenced in its basin, a groundwater sustainability agency shall host a public meeting to explain the adjudication process and the status of the adjudication to water users within the basin and the public.

A groundwater sustainability agency may invite the state board or the department to send a representative to the meeting in order to help explain the adjudication process.

(2) A recording or summary of the meeting shall be posted to a public internet website hosted by either the groundwater sustainability agency or the watermaster of the basin.

(3) For a basin that has multiple groundwater sustainability agencies, the groundwater sustainability agencies may hold a public meeting jointly or individually in furtherance of this subdivision.

(b) This section shall only apply to basins in which a comprehensive adjudication has not been commenced by January 1, 2024.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 665, Sec. 6. (AB 779) Effective January 1, 2024.)


text: The approval of a groundwater sustainability plan by the department shall not be construed to be a determination by or otherwise an opinion of the department that the allocation of groundwater pumping rights in the plan are consistent with groundwater rights law.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 682, Sec. 1. (SB 1372) Effective January 1, 2023.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that groundwater is a valuable natural resource in California, and should be managed to ensure both its safe production and its quality. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage local agencies to work cooperatively to manage groundwater resources within their jurisdictions.

(b) The Legislature also finds and declares that additional study of groundwater resources is necessary to better understand how to manage groundwater effectively to ensure the safe production, quality, and proper storage of groundwater in this state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 708, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)

chapter: 1. General Provisions

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 1. General Provisions


text:
(a) Beginning January 1, 2015, a new plan shall not be adopted and an existing plan shall not be renewed pursuant to this part, except as provided in subdivision (b). A plan adopted before January 1, 2015, shall remain in effect until a groundwater sustainability plan is adopted pursuant to Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720).

(b) This section does not apply to a low- or very low priority basin as categorized for the purposes of Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720).

(c) This section does not apply to a plan submitted as an alternative pursuant to Section 10733.6, unless the department has not determined that the alternative satisfies the objectives of Part 2.74 (commencing with Section 10720) on or before January 31, 2020, or the department later determines that the plan does not satisfy the objectives of that part.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 346, Sec. 4. (SB 1168) Effective January 1, 2015.)


text:
(a) Subject to subdivision (b), this part applies to all groundwater basins in the state.

(b) This part does not apply to any portion of a groundwater basin that is subject to groundwater management by a local agency or a watermaster pursuant to other provisions of law or a court order, judgment, or decree, unless the local agency or watermaster agrees to the application of this part.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 947, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)


text: Nothing in this part requires a local agency overlying a groundwater basin to adopt or implement a groundwater management plan or groundwater management program pursuant to this part.


text: Nothing in this part affects the authority of a local agency or a watermaster to manage groundwater pursuant to other provisions of law or a court order, judgment, or decree.


text:
(a) A local agency may not manage groundwater pursuant to this part within the service area of another local agency, a water corporation regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, or a mutual water company without the agreement of that other entity.

(b) This section applies only to groundwater basins that are not critically overdrafted.


text:
(a) A local agency may not manage groundwater pursuant to this part within the service area of another local agency without the agreement of that other entity.

(b) This section applies only to groundwater basins that are critically overdrafted.


text:
(a) A local agency that commences procedures, prior to January 1, 1993, to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish a program for the management of groundwater pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750), as added by Chapter 903 of the Statutes of 1991, may proceed to adopt the ordinance or resolution pursuant to Part 2.75, and the completion of those procedures is deemed to meet the requirements of this part.

(b) A local agency that has adopted an ordinance or resolution pursuant to Part 2.75 (commencing with Section 10750), as added by Chapter 903 of the Statutes of 1991, may amend its groundwater management program by ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the local agency to include any of the plan components set forth in Section 10753.7.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 320, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)


text: This part is in addition to, and not a limitation on, the authority granted to a local agency pursuant to other provisions of law.


text:
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Groundwater” means all water beneath the surface of the earth within the zone below the water table in which the soil is completely saturated with water, but does not include water that flows in known and definite channels.

(b) “Groundwater basin” means any basin or subbasin identified in the department’s Bulletin No. 118, dated September 1975, and any amendments to that bulletin, but does not include a basin in which the average well yield, excluding domestic wells that supply water to a single-unit dwelling, is less than 100 gallons per minute.

(c) “Groundwater extraction facility” means a device or method for the extraction of groundwater within a groundwater basin.

(d) “Groundwater management plan” or “plan” means a document that describes the activities intended to be included in a groundwater management program.

(e) “Groundwater management program” or “program” means a coordinated and ongoing activity undertaken for the benefit of a groundwater basin, or a portion of a groundwater basin, pursuant to a groundwater management plan adopted pursuant to this part.

(f) “Groundwater recharge” means the augmentation of groundwater, by natural or artificial means, with surface water or recycled water.

(g) “Local agency” means a local public agency that provides water service to all or a portion of its service area, and includes a joint powers authority formed by local public agencies that provide water service.

(h) “Person” has the same meaning as defined in Section 19.

(i) “Recharge area” means the area that supplies water to an aquifer in a groundwater basin and includes multiple wellhead protection areas.

(j) “Watermaster” means a watermaster appointed by a court or pursuant to other provisions of law.

(k) “Wellhead protection area” means the surface and subsurface area surrounding a water well or well field that supplies a public water system through which contaminants are reasonably likely to migrate toward the water well or well field.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 572, Sec. 1. (AB 359) Effective January 1, 2012.)

chapter: 2. Definitions

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 2. Definitions


text:
(a) Any local agency, whose service area includes a groundwater basin, or a portion of a groundwater basin, that is not subject to groundwater management pursuant to other provisions of law or a court order, judgment, or decree, may, by ordinance, or by resolution if the local agency is not authorized to act by ordinance, adopt and implement a groundwater management plan pursuant to this part within all or a portion of its service area.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a local public agency, other than an agency defined in subdivision (g) of Section 10752, that provides flood control, groundwater management, or groundwater replenishment, or a local agency formed pursuant to this code for the principal purpose of providing water service that has not yet provided that service, may exercise the authority of this part within a groundwater basin that is located within its boundaries within areas that are either of the following:

(1) Not served by a local agency.

(2) Served by a local agency whose governing body, by a majority vote, declines to exercise the authority of this part and enters into an agreement with the local public agency pursuant to Section 10750.7 or 10750.8.

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (b), this chapter does not authorize a local agency to manage groundwater planning within the service area of another local agency.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this part, the process for developing and adopting a revised groundwater management plan shall be the same as the process for developing and adopting a new groundwater management plan.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 185. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)

chapter: 3. Groundwater Management Plans

path: 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES > 3. Groundwater Management Plans


text: Nothing in this part, or in any groundwater management plan adopted pursuant to this part, affects surface water rights or the procedures under common law or local groundwater authority, or any provision of law other than this part that determines or grants surface water rights.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 603, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)


text:
(a) Prior to adopting a resolution of intention to draft a groundwater management plan, a local agency shall hold a hearing, after publication of notice pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code, on whether or not to adopt a resolution of intention to draft a groundwater management plan pursuant to this part for the purposes of implementing the plan and establishing a groundwater management program.

(b) At the conclusion of the hearing, the local agency may draft a resolution of intention to adopt a groundwater management plan pursuant to this part for the purposes of implementing the plan and establishing a groundwater management program.

(c) The local agency shall provide to the department a copy of a resolution of intention adopted pursuant to this section within 30 days of the date of adoption. The local agency shall also provide to the department contact information for the person in charge of drafting the groundwater management plan.

(d) The department shall post on its Internet Web site information it possesses regarding groundwater management plans being prepared or adopted pursuant to this part, including information provided by local agencies identified pursuant to this section, and monitoring entities identified pursuant to Sections 10928 and 10930.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 572, Sec. 3. (AB 359) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) After the conclusion of the hearing, and if the local agency adopts a resolution of intention, the local agency shall publish the resolution of intention in the same manner that notice for the hearing held under Section 10753.2 was published.

(b) Upon written request, the local agency shall provide any interested person with a copy of the resolution of intention.


text:
(a) The local agency shall prepare a groundwater management plan within two years of the date of the adoption of the resolution of intention.

(1) If the plan is not adopted within two years, the resolution of intention expires, and a plan shall not be adopted except pursuant to a new resolution of intention adopted in accordance with this chapter.

(2) If the plan is not adopted within two years, and the local agency was operating under a previously adopted groundwater management plan, that previous plan shall remain in effect.

(b) For the purposes of carrying out this part, the local agency shall make available to the public and the department a written statement describing the manner in which interested parties may participate in developing the groundwater management plan. The local agency may appoint, and consult with, a technical advisory committee consisting of interested parties for the purposes of carrying out this part.

(c) The local agency shall establish and maintain a list of persons interested in receiving notices regarding plan preparation, meeting announcements, and availability of draft plans, maps, and other relevant documents. Any person may request, in writing, to be placed on the list of interested persons.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 572, Sec. 4. (AB 359) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) After a groundwater management plan is prepared, the local agency shall hold a second hearing to determine whether to adopt the plan. Notice of the hearing shall be given pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code. Notice shall also be provided to the department and to all persons on the list established and maintained pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10753.4. The notice shall include a summary of the plan and shall state that copies of the plan and any maps that may be prepared pursuant to this part may be obtained for the cost of reproduction at the office of the local agency.

(b) At the second hearing, the local agency shall consider protests to the adoption of the plan. At any time prior to the conclusion of the second hearing, any landowner within the local agency may file a written protest or withdraw a protest previously filed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 572, Sec. 5. (AB 359) Effective January 1, 2012.)


text:
(a) A written protest filed by a landowner shall include the landowner’s signature and a description of the land owned sufficient to identify the land. A public agency owning land is deemed to be a landowner for the purpose of making a written protest.

(b) The secretary of the local agency shall compare the names and property descriptions on the protest against the property ownership records of the county assessors.

(c) (1) A majority protest shall be determined to exist if the governing board of the local agency finds that the protests filed and not withdrawn prior to the conclusion of the second hearing represent more than 50 percent of the assessed value of the land within the local agency subject to groundwater management pursuant to this part.

(2) If the local agency determines that a majority protest exists, the groundwater plan may not be adopted and the local agency shall not consider adopting a plan for the area proposed to be included within the program for a period of one year after the date of the second hearing.

(3) If a majority protest has not been filed, the local agency, within 35 days after the conclusion of the second hearing, may adopt the groundwater management plan.